Aggregated and Sub-metering solution to improve energy management and control through realtime consumption data
We have developed bespoke solutions to meet the differing needs of landlords and projects, enabling property owners to track and measure energy usage and reduce the risk of fraud.
At the heart of Connected Response’s aggregated and sub-metering solution is a Zigbee module that connects to each smart meter. Several options are available such as a module that sits in the space below the main body of the meter, as seen in the image on the right.
Zigbee is a communications protocol used in many smart home applications such as Hive active heating, Amazon Echo and Ikea Tradfli. In order to get different devices to work together on a network, a single common ‘language’ is required and that is what Zigbee provides.
The Zigbee module connects to the Zigbee mesh network and feeds real-time consumption data from the meter to a central communications hub. This data can then be used to reduce cost for the consumer and help the client in line with its specific requirements.
The Zigbee mesh network provides multiple routes for data to reach the communications hub. It is self-healing, re-establishing links that may have been broken by, for example, a temporary physical obstruction. This feature is important within the context of MDUs (multiple dwelling units), particularly in tower blocks.
Our range of sub-metering solutions have included:
• Heat-with-Rent scheme, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea: individual non-half-hourly (NHH) meters were fitted with pulse loggers linked by radio to the building’s communications gateway. This delivers real-time energy consumption data at flat level.
• Heat-with-Rent scheme, Westminster City Council: an aggregated metering solutions system was installed in eight tower blocks. The system consolidated all heating and hot water consumption into a single read. This read was used by the energy supplier to track consumption in real-time and to share the commercial benefit with the landlord.
