The European Union Has Successfully Developed New Technologies Related to Smart Water Meters

Recently, the European WIMBEX R&D team, comprised of industry and technology representatives from multiple EU member states, successfully developed new technologies, modular manufacturing processes, and a series of products related to smart water meters, utilizing the EU's mature smart meter technology. These technologies passed the review and evaluation of the European Commission's expert group. The smart water meter technology and related products developed by the European WIMBEX team can meet the various practical needs of water production and consumption enterprises, water suppliers and distribution networks, and household consumers. Smart water meters change the way water production and consumption are counted by liters instead of tons, thereby raising consumers' awareness of water conservation. Smart water meters achieve digital reading and data transmission, significantly reducing their own energy consumption (almost no electricity consumption), thus replacing grid power supply with independent rechargeable battery power. The control center of the smart water meter, which monitors the water supply network in real time, can automatically generate bills based on agreements reached between water suppliers and consumers. Household consumers can monitor their accurate water usage anytime via the internet, tablets, or mobile phones.

As a fundamental infrastructure for addressing future energy security, smart grids, and the sustainable development of the Internet of Things, the European Commission and EU member states have taken various actions, including policies and regulations, to actively stimulate the commercialization and application of smart meter technology across the EU. With the continued rise in smart meter penetration across the EU, averaging over 60% in each member state, the EU's smart meter adoption action plan has entered its final sprint. Partially funded by the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the WIMBEX European R&D team, comprised of industry and science representatives from multiple EU member states, has successfully developed smart water meter technology, modular manufacturing processes, and a series of products using mature smart meter technology. These recently passed the review and evaluation of a European Commission expert group.

The smart water meter technology and related products developed by the WIMBEX R&D team can meet the diverse practical needs of water production and consumption companies, water suppliers and distribution networks, and residential consumers. Smart water meters change the way water production and consumption are counted by liters instead of tons, thereby raising consumers' awareness of water conservation. Smart water meters enable digital readings and data transmission, significantly reducing their own energy consumption (almost zero electricity consumption), thus replacing grid power with independent rechargeable batteries. The control center of the smart water meter, which monitors the water supply network in real time, can automatically generate bills based on agreements reached between water suppliers and consumers. Household consumers can monitor their accurate water usage anytime via the internet, tablets, or mobile phones.

Currently, the R&D team is actively collaborating with the European Commission, member states, water suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and stakeholders, based on consultations and practical needs, to assist in drafting new EU-wide water usage standards and legislative recommendations. Simultaneously, further developing innovative technologies for smart metering and application services in the natural gas and heat supply sectors has been included in the team's future strategic research agenda (SRA).