The energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of smart technologies. According to the Transforma Insights IoT Forecast Database, global annual shipments of smart metering devices monitoring electricity, gas, or water usage in 2021 were 36.4 million for gas, 37.5 million for water, and 145 million for electricity. Companies are increasingly looking to gain a deeper understanding of their energy usage across various locations. This has led to a surge in the development and implementation of smart metering networks. However, ensuring reliable data collection, especially in challenging environments with weak signal penetration, remains a major hurdle.
Hildebrand, a United Kingdom-based company specializing in energy metering solutions, collaborated with Transport for London (TfL) to implement a smart metering network across a diverse range of locations. This project aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of electricity consumption in offices, underground stations, depots, and rented properties.
The project faced a significant challenge due to the complexity of the environments involved. Underground stations, particularly with their weak signal penetration, presented a hurdle. Traditional connectivity solutions were ineffective, jeopardizing the functionality of the meters (up to hundreds or even thousands) and hindering data transmission. Consistent and reliable network coverage was crucial for successful data collection and analysis.
To overcome this challenge, Hildebrand partnered with 1NCE, for Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) connectivity solution. Right now, the company utilizes 5500+ industrial-grade SIM and eSIM chips provided by 1NCE. NB-IoT's signal penetration capabilities enabled Hildebrand's smart devices to function optimally even in the underground stations, traditionally known as connectivity dead zones. Additionally, 1NCE's user-friendly portal provided Hildebrand with the ability to remotely monitor and troubleshoot the system, ensuring minimal downtime and continued reliability of their metering services. This resulted in a significant improvement in operational efficiency, with a notable 75% reduction in eSIM/SIM related fees.
