Over the past decade, cutting-edge IoT (Internet of Things) technologies like GPRS, NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, etc. have been applied in the gas industry, by virtue of their low power consumption, wide network coverage and device scalability among other possibilities.
Especially, from 2020, COVID-19 brought huge challenges to gas companies; and IoT smart gas-based contactless meter reading, remote monitoring, electronic billing and online payment came under intensive attention from many of the companies.
While limited by the iterative development and availability of network infrastructure, choosing the most appropriate communication technology for the smart gas meter has been the first headache in operation and management decision-making.
GPRS is the most mature application with over 10 million installations since 2013. However, this technology is facing a retirement risk alongside the recent fast development of 5G and NB-IoT.
NB-IoT smart gas meters have been widely deployed in China recently, with more than 10 million applications in 3 years.
This is thanks to strong support from the government for the upgrade of the network. For countries where NB-IoT has not been widely distributed yet, however, Sigfox could be a choice if Sigfox network operators are in place.
Some may not be happy with the dependence on network operators and with robust IT and network server capabilities, the private band LoRaWAN network can be selected with the flexibility to build an own network and server system for smart meters and other applications, like smart fire protection, smart safety supervision, smart water, smart agriculture, smart municipal administration, etc.
For those who have to compromise on smart functions due to budgetary considerations, the NFC prepayment solution is available to achieve contactless services, while still reserving the possibility of upgrading to IoT smart meters in the future.
As an experienced smart gas meter manufacturer with over 20 years of engagement in the industry, Goldcard Smart Group has seen all the pain points that come with the demands of the day.
Based on its strong R&D know-how, rich industrial understanding and accumulated experience, the INFINITY series of modular smart gas meters was developed to address all the above-mentioned challenges. At the same time, the meters bring in cutting-edge but mature smart functions, thus supporting high-efficiency management and operation to realise high-value returns, high safety levels and high satisfaction, and low gas loss.
INFINITY is a series of smart gas meters designed following EU standards and based on large-scale smart meter application experiences in Asia-Pacific countries.
It supports multi-type communication technologies, GPRS, NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, etc., and with the communication modules replaceable onsite without changing the basic meter or upgrading the firmware during the meter lifetime.
The modular design is a good choice for countries where the IoT network infrastructure development is not yet settled, because it also improves meter adaptability to future communication technologies. The communication module can be easily upgraded on-site, without changing the meter. This guarantees ROI for meter assets and assists in global utility digital transformation.
The INFINITY series JGDxS-M smart meters support different flow rates: G1.6/2.5/4/6/10/16/25, applicable for measurement in domestic or industrial and commercial settings.
It incorporates a mechanical diaphragm gas volume-metering device with an electronic smart controller to realise accurate metering and data processing, as well as valve control with the system.
Key features of the INFINITY series include:
• Supports multi-type communication protocols, module hot-plug on-site without firmware upgrade.
• All communications are encrypted, ensuring data security, integrity and traceability.
• Powerful data computing capability. Large memory keeps storage of the latest year’s gas consumption data and 200 event logs.
• Low power consumption design – battery pack supports 10 years under normal operation.
• Built-in high accuracy temperature sensor for temperature compensation.
• Measurement resolution complying with EN1359, supporting real-time monitoring of extremely low flows and reverse flows.
• Meter and system event logs, alarms and valve control mechanisms to realise comprehensive security and business management.
• It can be integrated with the gas company MDM system, billing system, online payment system, etc. through IoT data platform, allowing digital gas applications, including prepayment, post-payment, tiered pricing, remote pricing, real-time billing, electronic billing, remote payment, etc. Following the standard version of the INFINITY IoT gas meters, we have developed the INFINITY NFC+ version for near-field communication applications. This version complies with the STS international prepaid standard, adopts the latest NFC smart chip to realise two-way communication and includes an internal valve to achieve prepayment and safe gas supply and service use. INFINITY NFC+ follows the worldwide unique STS prepayment standard, which is open and secure, reducing the gas companies’ reliance on meter providers, while greatly facilitating the third-party sales network expansion.
business management.
• It can be integrated with the gas company MDM system, billing system, online payment system, etc. through IoT data platform, allowing digital gas applications, including prepayment, post-payment, tiered pricing, remote pricing, real-time billing, electronic billing, remote payment, etc.
Following the standard version of the INFINITY IoT gas meters, we have developed the INFINITY NFC+ version for near-field communication applications.
This version complies with the STS international prepaid standard, adopts the latest NFC smart chip to realise two-way communication and includes an internal valve to achieve prepayment and safe gas supply and service use.
INFINITY NFC+ follows the worldwide unique STS prepayment standard, which is open and secure, reducing the gas companies’ reliance on meter providers, while greatly facilitating the third-party sales network expansion.
Additionally, it reserves the INFINITY IoT communication module interface, through which the NFC gas meter can be upgraded to an IoT smart meter in the future by simply plugging in a variety of IoT communication modules on demand.
This way, a cost-effective transformation of more intelligent functions such as remote monitoring, remote valve controlling and
post-payment billing services can be realised. Under the INFINITY concept, there is also the Lite series retrofit IoT module.
This can upgrade the onsite mechanical meters to communicating meters to realise remote meter reading and reduce meter reading cost and management pressure. The modular metering sampling port design and the modular communication module can
support IoT upgrading of mechanical gas meters from different manufacturers, and with different selectable communication technologies, such as LoRa/LoRaWAN, Sigfox, NB-IoT, and others to be developed on demand.
Goldcard will keep innovating, bringing infinite possibilities to a better life.
About the company
Goldcard Smart Group Co., Ltd. is one of the leading smart utility solution providers, with IoT products and services covering gas, water, smart home, etc. After over 24 years development, Goldcard has now achieved annual yield of over 11 million IoT devices.
For more information, visit http://www.china-goldcard.com/en.php
