Albox: the ease of the NB-IoT system
Pilot project of 251 meters equipped with this communication system and end-to-end solution from Kamstrup. In the arid heart of the Almanzora Valley, in the province of Almeria, water is a very valuable treasure. This region, with a warm and sunny climate, has historically been home to farming communities that depend on every drop of water to cultivate their land.
A constant struggle for proper water management
Centuries ago, the ancient inhabitants of the valley developed ingenious irrigation systems known as ditches , which channeled water from rivers and springs to nourish their fields. These structures, maintained with care and dedication, allowed communities to thrive in an environment where drought was a constant threat.
However, in recent decades, climate change and the overexploitation of water resources have jeopardized this delicate balance. Aquifers are being depleted, and rainfall is becoming scarcer and irregular. Given this reality, water conservation has become critical to ensure the future of the region.
The municipality of Albox has implemented modern drip irrigation techniques to minimise water consumption and, going a step further, has decided to modernise its drinking water and energy management infrastructure by implementing smart metering solutions such as those from the company Kamstrup. Gestagua, operator of the urban water cycle in this town, chose Kamstrup for "the quality of the equipment and the auxiliary features it offers, especially the ability to transmit the noise level in the pipes", according to Teresa Quiroz Lodoli, deputy technical director at Gestagua.
Project objectives
In the words of Quiroz herself, the main challenge they faced was to "install remote reading equipment that would allow control of the meter park". Likewise, it seeks to "check the stability of the meter reading system, the degree of coverage of the equipment and the system" and, above all, "to compare the total volume billed with this equipment with respect to the meters installed".
Kamstrup is the provider of the complete NB-IoT solution
In Europe, there are already more than 130,000 meters operating thanks to Kamstrup's NB-IoT End-to-End solution.
The meter chosen in the case of Albox has been the flowIQ® 2200, of which 251 units were installed. It is an ultrasonic static counter that incorporates acoustic leak detection as a base. These meters listen inside the pipes and detect possible leaks or breaks in the network. This information, transmitted through the NB-IoT network and managed in the Leak Detector software, allows possible leaks to be narrowed down with unrivalled precision. In addition, the meter has different alarms: leaks, manipulation, breakages, high/low temperature, no water consumption, battery level and reverse water flow.
The flowIQ® 2200 is capable of measuring even the smallest amount of water thanks to its starting flow rate of 0.9 l/h and its type approval of up to R1600. In addition, as it has no moving parts, accuracy is guaranteed throughout its service life.
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Acoustic detection reduces water losses, as well as the hours needed to manually check the supply network for possible leaks. But it is just as important to have the data as it is to be able to transmit and receive it correctly and continuously. In the case of Albox, the technology chosen was NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) which, when integrated into the flowIQ® 2200, would allow a fast, effective and stable installation.
Fast, simple and cost-effective communication
The Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is a wireless communication technology specially designed for use in places with access or coverage problems: wells, areas of high population density, areas with radio interference, etc. Operating in narrow frequency band, it offers stable communication even underground or in basements.
Thanks to the Kamstrup system, the data provided by the meters can be accessed without the need to resort to special equipment or having to have its own communication network. Only smart meters equipped with NB-IoT, Kamstrup Connect and the READy Manager system are required. This connectivity solution allows the use of NB-IoT networks from mobile network operators that have been previously validated by Kamstrup. The manager doesn't have to worry about anything as Kamstrup takes care of everything from smart meters to connectivity. In addition, although the network is not owned by Kamstrup, it does have favourable rates, as well as serving as an intermediary in the event of problems between mobile network operators and their customers.
NB-IoT communication enables very low power consumption that enables lifetimes of more than 15 years using state-of-the-art batteries. It also has a high connection capacity so a large-scale network of meters can be established without this meaning that there are connectivity performance problems.
NB-IoT technology is very simple to implement. Kamstrup takes care of the process and checks that the infrastructure works. It is also easily expandable if more meters are added to the network. Kamstrup's proposal allows easy access to meter data: billing, profiles, alarms, etc.
Components of the NB-IoT Complete Solution
- Smart water meters: advanced devices capable of measuring consumption in real time and sending data to management software.
- Data Management System (MDM): software platform that collects, processes and analyzes consumption data, providing useful information for decision-making.
- NB-IoT communication with major mobile operators: communication technology that enables the transmission of data from meters to the central system in a secure and efficient manner.
- MDM Integration API: Standard interface for secure data exchange with third-party billing and analytics systems.
Expected Benefits of Kamstrup's Solution
The benefits expected by Gestagua in this implementation include, among others: accuracy in measurement, detection and reduction of water losses, operational efficiency, advanced data management, sustainability, improved customer experience, flexibility and data security. Kamstrup's solutions are designed to meet these needs, providing advanced technology and services that optimize water management, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience.
Gestagua highlights the main positive points that they have been able to see in the facility. On the one hand, the filtering capacity of the equipment. On the other hand, "the simplicity of the consultation system, being able to increase the degree of complexity depending on whether the user wants to create groups, introduce district counters, etc.," as Teresa Quiroz explains.
Although it is still too early to see results, especially at the level of leak control, Gestagua values very positively "having the consumption of subscribers on a daily basis, with alerts of minimum consumption and daily volumes out of the ordinary is always a help," according to Quiroz. He also points out that "having the ordered data that READy provides us always generates new expectations".
Conclusions
The implementation of Kamstrup's smart metering solution in the Albox region represents a significant step towards the modernization of resource management. This initiative will not only improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, but will also promote sustainable and responsible practices in water and energy use.
What is READy?
READy is a reading system developed by Kamstrup that simplifies meter reading. It allows reading on a fixed network and on the go, either using a Smartphone or opting for automatic daily or programmed readings, using several fixed devices for data collection.
This system not only allows consumption data to be obtained accurately, but also analyzes the distribution network for maximum optimization. READy can be expanded at any time if the needs of the utilities change. It does not require specialized training to use it as it is a very intuitive system, saves time and reduces the risk of errors in readings.