Bodø, Norway

Applied technologies

Biogas production via anaerobic digestion

IoT sensors for infiltration detection

Smart Metering

Best practices

Close interaction between smart digital platform developers, technology providers and local stakeholders e.g. local authorities is essential in implementing coherent digital service in practice.

Sensor placement for data-driven leak detection and localization is key.

Requirements and conditions

Smart water meters:

• GDPR agreements between water service provider, homeowners, service provider and/or research organiziations.
• Homeowner consent forms

Leakage detection infilatration algorithims:

• Access to municipal water meter data
• Sewer flow monitoring
• Optional depending on type of leakage detection algorithim: Hydraultic model

Environmental Dashboard:

• Access to municipal water meter SCADA data
• Knowlegde of municipal water zone boundries
• Access to other sensors and data

Nessie system:

• Access to Smart water meter data
• Access to other sensors and data

Key lessons

Designing and real testing of self-powered, low energy consumption smart water meter. SWMs proven useful in detecting leaks for inhouse plumbing.

Connecting modelling approaches for leakage and I/I is conceptually possible.

Findings are that Bodø would need additional sludge or other sources of energy outside of Bodø to have more energy generated than energy used for biogas production.

Reliable benchmarking requires reliable data, which is available in many municipalities, but not easily accessed.

Lessons learned from technology operation

Installation of smart water meters is unable to take place until the data processor agreements are completed. This should be done as early as possible to speed up the installation process.

Access to the municipal water meter’s network is complex and requires close collaberation between various groups.

If smart water meters are installed for research purposes, it is recommended to select areas with higher single family home ownership to avoid the need for additional consent from several homeowners sharing a single smart water meter. This will minimize the time spent contacting homeonwers significantly.

Legislation and policy recommendations

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires a high degree of detailed security measures and details regarding purpose for use of data before municipalities can share personal data regarding flow consumption measured in homeowners’ homes. This can effect the implementation of smart water meters.

Selvkost norwegian legislation that requires the water and waste services cost of ownership for a service must correspond to the total additional cost of providing the service. This can effect the implementation of biogas solutions depending on the service provider. An example being if a private company makes profit from the re-selling of sewage sludge, through biogas, that the public is paying the company to handle.