Advanced metering infrastructure system workshop set for Dallas
Contact: Allen Berthold, 979-845-2028, taberthold@ag.tamu.edu
DALLAS – An advanced metering infrastructure system training for water utilities is set for Aug. 27 in Dallas.
The free workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 17360 Coit Road.
Dr. Allen Berthold, Texas Water Resources Institute research scientist in College Station, said the training is open to municipal employees interested in learning more about various aspects of advanced metering infrastructure, or AMI, system technology.
“This technology uses water meters to wirelessly transmit hourly household water usage information to water utilities, and then potentially to water users through a customer website,” he said. “It can help water utilities be more efficient by detecting and managing leaks, and encouraging water conservation by residents.”
The water institute, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and Johnson Controls Inc. are sponsoring the workshop, with the water institute and Johnson Controls presenting.
Craig Hannah, engineering manager for Johnson Controls’ municipal utility solutions team in Amarillo, said training topics include system components and installations, transmitting options, network schematics, mobile automatic meter reading versus fixed-base, line-of-sight communications, comparisons of different systems for water-only utilities, and health and privacy concerns. A case study and lessons learned will also be discussed.
“The training will provide public utility providers considering the adoption of an AMI system with different viewpoints and key factors they should consider,” Hannah said.
“Participating in this training is a great opportunity to network with other utilities and gain some insight into their key considerations and lessons they have learned thus far,” Berthold said.
Berthold will also present information on a current advanced metering infrastructure technology research project of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the institute and Experiment Station.
“This project aims to measure changes in water consumption as a result of making hourly water use available to residents,” he said.
Participants should preregister for the event at http://nrt.tamu.edu/ami by Aug. 20, and lunch will be provided to those who preregister by that date. Seating is limited to 45 people.
The institute is part of AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
For more information, contact Berthold at 979-845-2028, taberthold@ag.tamu.edu.
