Automatic meter reading

Most organisations can use automatic meter reading to measure, collect and record energy information that can be transmitted to a PC or over the Internet to create reports and analysis that will help towards better energy management.

Energy Metering Strategy

The energy metering strategy should not be too complex to be difficult to understand, nor should it be so simple that it does not provide information of any real value. Essentially, the automatic meter reading system should be user-friendly and easily understood by all major energy users.

Before implementing automatic meter reading, the organisation should develop a metering strategy was clear operational objectives and targets. The purpose for the metering should be identified, with the location of meters specified to provide accurate readings and usable information. The strategy should specify and install certified meters that meet and exceed any legal obligations.

Sub metering

It is already a mandatory requirement for many organisations to fit automatic meter reading to the main energy meter in large buildings will stop however monitoring these main meter will not usually provide enough information about energy use to help significantly reduce energy consumption. Therefore, many organisations now use sub metering to identify energy consumption on individual floors or specific areas of the building, or individual pieces of equipment including the air conditioning system, lighting system, manufacturing equipment, lifts and other areas of high energy use.

In order to get the best from automatic monitoring and targeting system be a more should include sub meters installed at all areas of major energy use. The automatic collection of the meter data should be regular and at set intervals, usually every half an hour. The system should include a facility to automatically identify errors during the election process. Analysis of the collected data should include the automatic production of reports that can be easily understood by major energy users and senior management.

Automatic meter reading and the CRC

The definition of automatic meter reading under the carbon reduction commitment energy efficiency scheme is:

The meter must be the main fiscal meter for the supply (i.e. utility supply meter and not a sub metre)

• The meter must be remotely read
• The meter data is available to customer
• Data collected is it sufficient intervals:
  • Electricity -- half hourly
  • Gas -- hourly

Automatic meter reading in part L of the building regulations

part L of the building regulations defines automatic monitoring and targeting as "a complete installation that measures, records, transmits, analyses, reports and communicates meaningful energy management information to enable the operator to manage the energy it uses. Targets must be achieved with alarms for out of range values"