3. Our Digital Journey
⢠In 2009 we were nearing completion construction of the Wimmera Mallee
Pipeline converting a network of 16,000 km of channel to 9,000 km of
pipeline.
⢠With the construction of the pipeline almost, we sought to use unspent
project funds to deliver smart meters to improve the water efficiency of the
network.
⢠When we built the pipeline we were the first utility to put our SCADA network
in the cloud
⢠A corporate network that was internet facing
⢠An operating technology (OT) network that was locked down.
⢠We started trialling digital metering technology that utilised the 3G network
that acknowledged the biggest challenge after communications was power
supply.
4. Pilot using Solar and 3G network - 2009
⢠ETM Pacific
⢠Maxon
⢠Type 1
⢠Type 2
⢠Cases = IP67
5. Rural Deployment of Digital Metering
⢠In 2013, we were finally able to secure agreement to use the Wimmera
Mallee Pipeline âunspent fundsâ as part of a suite of investments that would
allow GWMWater to âfinancially closeâ the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline project.
⢠Developed a business case and approached the market assuming the
market would of a 3G / 4G technology.
⢠At the time low powered narrow band communication technologies were
emerging and being implemented at a commercial scale.
⢠Focus in the investment decision was the selection of the most cost effective
technology on a life cycle basis.
⢠In 2014, we selected the Taggle low powered radio network as the
technology for rural digital metering.
8. Urban application of the technology
⢠Developed a business case to support the investment required to extend the
application of the technology to urban customers.
⢠When we conceptualised the introduction of rural digital meters we
deliberately deferred the replacement of urban water meters with a view of
maximising the value of visitation assuming the technology would be
deployed to urban customers.
⢠Business case premised on the deployment of the bolt on transmitters and
the business case âline ballâ based on ten year investment.
9. Business Case
⢠Developed a Business Case
assuming same meter installation as
rural customers.
⢠Marginally negative as an investment
by GWMWater.
⢠Overall a positive benefit cost ratio
when expanded beyond GWMWater
to include customer / societal benefit.
⢠Advanced to get Treasury and
regulator approval.
⢠Unqualified support of the regulator
in the 2018-2023 Water Price Review
10. Final Business Case
⢠When we were ready to implement,
an integrated water meter became
available with an assumed life of 15
years.
⢠Integrated water meter tested and in
test had improved performance
particularly in relation to resilience in
frost.
⢠Assumed a replacement of the whole
meter fleet and the value proposition
demonstrated to be most effective for
a 15 year (battery) life.
13. 2016 Rural Water Quality Event
⢠Elevated Blue Green Algae event gave rise to a
curtailment of supply on the Northern Mallee
Pipeline.
⢠System turned off on Friday afternoon.
⢠Customer Charter requires customers to tolerate
interruptions for up 72 hours.
⢠Restored the system on Monday and were able
to trace through the meter data time of supply
from the time the meter stopped to the meter
resuming.
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3
14. Rural Water User â Undetected Leak
⢠Rural customer notified of potential leak
⢠Customer doubted leak
⢠Customer on holidays usage increased
⢠Customer found and fixed leak.
⢠HoweverâŚthere is a second leak
16. Urban Trace â Water Leak
⢠Customer complained about high water bill /
consumption.
⢠Used meter data to trace consumption.
⢠Low water use at all times except when hot water
system recharging.
⢠Were able to ascertain this was a faulty valve on
the solar hot water system.
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6
17. Supporting an insurance
claim for water damage
⢠I was holidaying last year and
installed a new irrigation system prior
to leaving.
⢠One of the irrigation units failed and
water was discharging under the
house for two and a half days.
⢠From the portal inquiry I was able to
establish that 75 kl of water went
under the house.
19. Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN)
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⢠104 network hubs
⢠47,500 meters
⢠hourly reads are received every 24 hours
⢠1,120,000 x readings per day
⢠big data management and analysis required
21. Whatâs Next
⢠We are deploying the
technology to better
support our operations.
⢠Sewer manhole
monitoring in towns /
parts of the network that
are;
⢠prone to failure, or
⢠in environmentally
sensitive areas.
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Winifred Street