• • • BATTERIES AND CHARGERS • • • Batteries can help
with water conservation Batteries fuelling the smart water meter revolution
mart water meters are playing an important role in water conservation, both from a wider governmental and homeowner perspective. These meters utilise advanced sensor technology to collect granular data on water usage, enabling data-driven water management strategies. However, the performance and reliability of these systems relies heavily on battery technology, which often goes unnoticed. Here, Robert Brown, marketing executive at industrial battery manufacturer Ultralife, explores the role of batteries in ensuring the uninterrupted operation and long-term viability of smart water meter networks.
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Smart water meters offer a glimpse into a future where water distribution is optimised, leaks are promptly detected and addressed, and water usage is monitored precisely. The smart water meters in our homes function as part of the wider energy network, constantly communicating with centralised control systems. These meters can detect even the most minor irregularities in water pressure, flow and quality, providing real-time data for actionable insights. One crucial component of smart water meters is the battery, which will typically be non-rechargeable and embedded for the lifetime of the meter, a technician will replace the smart meter when the battery is running low. Smart meters often use Lithium Thionyl Chloride batteries, which store a large amount of energy for their size. This ensures a long service life and a minimal amount of space is taken up by the battery. However, batteries from different manufacturers will have different amounts of stored energy (capacities). For example, Ultralife manufactures a D cell offering an industry leading capacity of 19Ah, meaning it will last longer than competitors’ offerings.
So, how do smart meters work? Every time energy is used or generated in homes, it is turned into a packet of data that is securely encrypted and sent to a communications hub on a home area network (a local internet network used solely for this purpose). The data is then sent to a battery-powered in-home display, which is the device most people associate with smart meters, before being sent to a wide area network of cell towers/nodes from which it is transmitted to the energy company.
The problem is that new 5G wide area networks operate using a higher frequency than old 4G ones, meaning the signal from the battery-powered smart meter cannot travel as far, so the cell tower/node needs to be closer to the home than before. The reduced distance also means the higher the likelihood that the smart meter cannot successfully connect to one cell tower/node and must therefore attempt to connect to another which can drain more power from the battery. The battery can also help the smart meter to connect to a node if it
maintains a high voltage and delivers current without delay, this can be achieved by adding capacitors to Lithium Thionyl Chloride batteries, including Ultralife’s.
The accuracy of data collected by smart meters is what plays a crucial role in water conservation as it can indicate spikes in water consumption, which might signal incidents such as water leaks. Separate devices are available specifically for water leak detection, sending push notifications, e-mails, and texts when moisture is detected around pipes, but using smart meters to double-check if there is a leak enhances overall efficiency and responsiveness. According to the Insurance Information Institute, each year around one in 50 insured homes files a claim related to damage from water freezing, with the average cost of property damage coming in at about £8,500.
Just as with smart meters, water leak detectors rely heavily on battery performance. While some detectors can be plugged into AC mains, battery-powered versions offer greater placement flexibility as there are no trailing wires. Devices using CR123A batteries are typically smaller, utilising one 3V cell instead of two 1.5V cells, making them suitable for tight spaces. Selecting the right battery can significantly impact the effectiveness of smart water meters and leak sensors. With advancements in battery technology the future of smart water management looks promising. Enhanced battery life and reliability will not only support the seamless operation of these devices, but also contribute to the broader goals of water conservation and efficient resource management in urban environments.
14 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JULY/AUGUST 2024
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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