Advanced metering infrastructure system workshops set for San Marcos, Waco
Contact: Allen Berthold, 979-845-2028, taberthold@ag.tamu.edu
SAN MARCOS – Two advanced metering infrastructure system trainings for water utilities are set for May 6 in San Marcos and May 7 in Waco.
The Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M Engineering and Johnson Controls Inc. are sponsoring the workshops with the water institute and Johnson Controls presenting.
The institute is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
The San Marcos workshop is at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, 601 University Drive in San Marcos. The Waco workshop is at the city of Waco’s water office, 425 Franklin Ave. Both workshops are free and from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
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. The 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.
“Efficient household water use is crucial to meeting Texas’ future water demands,” Berthold said. “Using AMI system technology can help water utilities be more efficient by detecting and managing leaks and encouraging water conservation by residents.”
Craig Hannah, engineering manager for Johnson Controls’ municipal utility solutions team, said training topics include AMI system components, transmitting options, network topology, mobile automatic meter reading versus fixed-base AMI, line-of-sight communications, comparisons of AMI systems for water-only utilities, health and privacy concerns, installing AMI, a business case and lessons learned.
“The trainings will provide utilities considering the adoption of an AMI system with different viewpoints and key factors that they should consider,” Hannah said.
“Participating in this training is a great opportunity to not only learn about various topics related to AMI systems, but also 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 AMI technology research project of AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, Texas Water Resources Institute and Texas A&M Engineering.
“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 either event at http://nrt.tamu.edu/ami by April 22 and lunch will be provided to those who preregister by that date. Seating is limited to 45 people.
The institute and Johnson Controls are presenting a series of these workshops around the state, according to organizers. Additional workshops are scheduled for May 13 in Weslaco, May 14 in Robstown, June 24 in Dallas and June 25 in San Angelo.
For more information on upcoming workshops and to register, go to http://nrt.tamu.edu/ami or contact Berthold at 979-845-2028, taberthold@ag.tamu.edu.
