Matthew BoyleIn an innovative collaboration, industrial IoT provider Itron is partnering with Cairns Regional Council in Queensland, Australia, to revolutionize water management through the deployment of NB-IoT technology. Specializing in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions, Itron aims to optimize usage, detect leaks, and reduce costs within the district water distribution system. The project marks the next phase of a comprehensive two-phase IoT deployment initiative, promising expanded metering capabilities over the next three years. Although specific deployment metrics remain undisclosed, Itron has completed the initial rollout of IoT network infrastructure and meter devices in Cairns as part of phase one. Leveraging NB-IoT water meters and a cutting-edge management platform, Cairns Regional Council is poised to enhance water security and customer experience. By utilizing Itron’s digital platform, the council gains unprecedented insights into water data collection, enabling proactive management of functional issues and non-revenue water losses. Notably, Itron’s AMI solution boasts superior battery life and reduced maintenance costs, offering long-term sustainability for water management initiatives. With water scarcity on the rise, Itron emphasizes the project’s significance as a blueprint for future water infrastructure resilience, underscoring its commitment to addressing evolving resource challenges alongside utility partners.
Itron Partners with Cairns Regional Council for NB-IoT Water Management in Industrial IoT Deployment
Industrial IoT provider Itron, specialising in advanced metering infrastructure ( AMI ) solutions for utilities, is working with Cairns Regional Council in Queensland, Australia, to deploy an NB- IoT system to manage usage, identify leaks, and lower costs in the district water distribution system. In the next phase of a two-phase IoT deployment, which will see the water network experience more metering over the following three years, Itron is in the next phase.
No word on the size of the network’s or meter’s deployment. However, Itron claimed that as part of its phase one project, it has now completed the “initial deployment” of IoT network infrastructure and meter devices in Cairns. It said the system variously comprises NB- IoT water meters ( branded Intelis wSource ) and an NB- IoT management / analytics platform ( Temetra ), plus existing mesh network technology, and whatever else Itron has deployed in the way of network infrastructure.
Enhancing Water Security: Itron’s NB-IoT Solution Empowers Cairns Regional Council for Effective Water Management
Cairns Regional Council has a “water security” strategy to use cutting-edge technology to identify water leaks and enhance customer experience. Itron said it is working with the council to “deploy additional… meters ,]to be ] be managed by Itron’s NB- IoT digital platform, to improve collection, tracking and management of water data from all endpoints within its network. The council will be able to address a number of functional issues relating to water thanks to Iron’s” solution.”
Cairns Regional Council will have access to “non-revenue water losses in the distribution system” upstream and downstream of the meter, according to Itron, and it will be possible to help customers manage water usage using data insights. It recommended that its AMI solution has longer battery life than comparable IoT solutions, and that it has lower maintenance costs because it requires fewer repairs and replacements.
Water scarcity is on the rise, according to Don Reeves, a senior vice president at Itron. This serves as an example for additional utilities and municipalities to demonstrate how their water infrastructure is constructed to meet challenges they will encounter in the future. We at Itron look forward to working with the council to assist the utility in meeting its growing need for resources for “water and asset management challenges.”
Empowering Water Management Through IoT: Itron and Cairns Regional Council Lead the Way in Sustainable Solutions
The partnership between Itron and Cairns Regional Council signifies a pivotal step towards leveraging IoT technology to revolutionize water management practices. By deploying NB-IoT technology and advanced metering infrastructure, the initiative aims to optimize water usage, detect leaks, and enhance overall operational efficiency within the district’s water distribution system. With the completion of phase one, which includes the initial rollout of IoT network infrastructure and meter devices, the project sets the stage for expanded metering capabilities over the next three years. Through Itron’s digital platform, the council gains invaluable insights into water data collection, enabling proactive management of functional issues and non-revenue water losses. Moreover, the project underscores Itron’s commitment to addressing evolving resource challenges and fostering sustainability in water management initiatives. As water scarcity becomes increasingly prevalent, initiatives like this serve as a blueprint for future water infrastructure resilience, highlighting the crucial role of innovative collaborations in ensuring water security and sustainability for communities worldwide.
