Deadline: 10-Apr-23

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has launched the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Workshop: Better Use of the Systems and Data.

This project is funded by The Water Research Foundation (WRF) as part of WRF’s Emerging Opportunities Program.

Project Objectives 

This project will bring different perspectives together to understand the breadth of applications of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems and to help realize maximum value from these systems.

Research Approach 

This RFP is intentionally flexible in the research approach to encourage creativity and originality from proposers. Many scenarios and some approaches are listed below, but they are not intended to be restrictive and should be used as a starting point. Proposers should describe how they will conduct the research to meet the objectives listed above and deliver innovative and practical results to AMI users.

• Identify and engage individual utilities, informal water utility groups, and the like working to share AMI experiences at the local/national/industrial levels. These groups could be sought out for participation in this workshop through communication with AWWA section offices and/or other innovative outreach approaches.
• Explore, discuss, and summarize uses of AMI systems for various purposes, such as smart water system issues, emergency response, water audits and leakage management activities, wastewater management, and distribution system management.
• Explore relationships between daily temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, and the creation of water main breakages/leaks in utility infrastructure.
• Include utilities in similar industries, such as electric utilities, oil/gas, pipelines, etc., to provide additional perspectives on AMI applications and data analytics.
• Explore, discuss, and summarize use of AMI systems and networks by customers and third party users, e.g., using the system to read submeters or other instrumentation not owned by the utility, and how this practice is paid for.
• Identify current limitations of use of AMI in the water industry and potential future growth from any technological advancements.
• Provide related case studies that will demonstrate potential additional uses for AMI.
• Identify gaps for future AMI research projects.

Funding Information

• Applicants may request up to $75,000 in WRF funds for this project.
• The anticipated period of performance for this project is 12 months from the contract start date.

Expected Deliverables 

A guideline for utilities with a compilation of experience and lessons learned in various applications of AMI systems, as well as a list of potential research ideas.

Eligibility Criteria

Proposals will be accepted from domestic or international entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities.

For more information, visit Water Research Foundation.