AMI/SCADA integration boosts event detection

Baseform’s proprietary data syncing tecnology automatically reconciles data continuously received from the multiple IT systems in the utility (see below). It georeferences and integrates on the same monitoring referential all SCADA, billing, AMI/AMR, of any technology. As regards the SCADA and smart meter/AMI/AMR data, being 100% agnostic means that the utility is not bound to one specific technology to fully realise the advantages of integrating both those types of data. It can move much faster in adopting what is available in one given moment without fear of not being able to 'connect everything' in the future if other technologies come into the picture.

This US public utility implements a DMA program as part of their water & energy losses management effort. A growing number of DMAs has been equipped to track down and address breaks and leaks, quantify consumption and manage NRW and the system in a more systematic and efficient way. As part of that strategy, it has selected Baseform for event management, DMA monitoring (including AMI/AMR integration), proactive maintenance and renewal management.

The technology provides a major improvement to the utility, previously unable to take full advantage of these data. From that foundation, it deploys what is the most validated and advanced flow prediction and event detection engine available, based on stochastic as well as machine-learning algorithms, to make it possible to:

• detect any deviations to the flow predicted at each moment, prefiguring abnormal behavior;
• automatically measure and accrue the volumes lost in each event, as well as base real losses (from minimum flow), and consumption in its various components, tariffs, etc;
• continuously update the water balance components in each sector;
• continuously update NRW, consumption and billing indicators – be it in MGD, kWh, or $.

Conversely, another module of the software processes GIS and work order data and allows for the prediction of mains breaks and break rates, based on the utility’s own data.

This enables the utility to optimize active leak detection, and keep a continuously prioritized list of most likely pipes to break.

The field crews as well as all other personnel have full and continuous visibility to this data, and get break notifications in their mobiles – the same information allows for faster identification of those assets responsible for detected events that do not make themselves visible.