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AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure Provides Dynamic Growth Potential In North America Tracking the AMI trend, and why it���s important. By Eric Meliton W ith concerns regarding water scarcity and water (worth approximately $3 billion) are lost due to freshwater management in North America water leakages each year in the United States. increasing, the added pressure on water AMI technology, in tandem with other meters utilities caused by rising labor and energy and data management systems, can assist with the costs is beginning to take a toll. Water utilities are following challenges: continuing to seek out ways to improve operational ��� Efficient energy use related to distribution and efficiencies, and smart water-metering technologies treatment of water and wastewater may provide a long-term solution. Advanced ��� Leakage detection and localization metering infrastructure (AMI) aids utilities in lowering ��� Grid pressure changes and adjustments to maintenance and operational costs, despite short-term prevent service disruptions capital expenditure costs for implementation. ��� Event prediction and localization Some of the advantages of AMI technology include ��� Maintaining customer satisfaction on-demand meter reading, remote connectivity, and increased meter reading and billing accuracy. These Event prediction and localization have a larger features are linked to advantages for water utilities in market impact for older municipalities in North terms of cost savings and reduction of water losses. America, especially in larger cities that have an Despite the long-term impact of the abundance of outdated water North American economic downturn pipeline infrastructure. Millions of AMI aids utilities in on capital expenditure budgets dollars are lost each year due to for the municipal water utility lowering maintenance unforeseen pipe bursts and leakages. marketplace, larger municipalities AMI technology can help with and operational continue to explore the longtracking and monitoring where leaks term benefits of AMI technology. and pressure changes are likely, but costs, despite Growth is expected to be moderate can also assist in preventing future short-term capital in North America, although many disruptions by determining which major initiatives to implement AMI expenditure costs for pipes, pumps, and valves need to technology may be delayed due to be replaced. implementation. funding issues. AMI technology is perceived to have significant implementation Key Industry Trends costs. Although AMI technology is proven to reduce The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operational costs, the initial equipment and installation estimates that approximately 240,000 water main costs are high in this economic climate. Many breaks occur in the United States each year. Water municipalities are finding it difficult to justify the initial leaks of this nature result in major losses for the capital expenditure costs. utilities due to disruption in services as well as increasing bill rates for customers for repair. Any level Market Potential of water loss from burst pipes results in lost revenue Efficient management of freshwater resources is for water utilities. Most water loss in the distribution becoming more important in the parts of the United network is linked to aging infrastructure, but can also States and Canada in which arid conditions persist. be linked to hydraulic pressure issues and the number With freshwater withdrawal restrictions imposed on of pipeline connections. According to the American industrial end users and local residents, the need Society of Civil Engineers, nearly 2 trillion gallons of to reduce water loss by utilizing reliable water 12 wateronline.com ��� Water Online The Magazine