Smart Metering
For over 45 years, IUSA has manufactured electric meters. During these years, we have manufactured 52 million meters.
With our experience innovating and developing technologies for metering and communications, we have created a new system to efficiently manage and operate water, energy and natural gas metering processes: The Smart Self Managed Metering System.
The system was developed to reduce and optimize financial and operating costs for electrical energy distribution companies, water providers and natural gas companies. It enables improved usage control for consumers, and also allows for flexible payment options.
IUSA’s Smart Self –managed Metering System has been internationally patented and operates basically by way of a multifunction electronic meter, and a contactless bidirectional smart card .The system allows for either pre-payment or post-payment modes.
Payment Modes
In the pre-payment mode, the meter alerts the consumer to the effect that the account must be replenished, with a visual alarm, blinking a LED. The consumer then takes the smart card to the nearest point of sale and buys the amount for either electricity, water or gas needed, be it kilowatt hours of electricity or cubic meters.
Once payment is made and the smart card is credited, the consumer needs only to place the card on top of the meter, and the purchased amount of utility will be downloaded automatically. Purchased energy, water or gas is then available for use.
In the post-payment mode, at the beginning of each month, consumer places smart card on top of the meter to register usage in the past month. The consumer then takes the smart card to the point of sale and pays current outstanding balance before service is interrupted by the meter. Upon paying the due amount, the consumer places the smart card on top the meter in order to automatically transfer payment information and ensure uninterrupted service.
Electric service can be cut-off by means of a relay within the meter, while water service may be cut-off by the meter’s
electric valve, partially or completely restricting the flow. The gas meter valve totally restricts the flow when the
service is cut-off.
Smart Card
The contactless smart card is a bidirectional device. It receives information transferred by the meter, and then carries it through the consumer to the point of sale, when he goes to make a purchase. The points of sale can recharge the smart card through a special device that is connected to the IUSA Smart Self-service Metering System through a standard web connection, where all the information of each user is downloaded in real time back to the utility company. At the same time, the utility company can program multiple meter functions using the smart card, the moment the user returns to download
his credit.
The smart card delivers the highest security standards to avoid ill use or duplication. Stored data is encrypted in the same security codes used by the banking system.
Benefits for the User
The IUSA Smart Self-managed Metering System offers users the following advantages:
• Total control of energy, gas and water usage.
• User has the flexibility to decide how much and when to buy.
• Comfort, now that services can be purchased in authorized points of sale nearby the home or work.
• Security, because the smart card is personal and will only work with the meter it is assigned to.
Benefits for the Utility
By adopting the Smart Self-managed Metering System, utility companies gain important benefits.
They receive usage payment in advance, that positively reflects in it’s financial costs and eliminates overdue account receivables.
In addition, administrative costs are dramatically reduced. Costs related to periodic meter reading and bills generation and delivery are completely eliminated. Consequently, the number of customers attended at the company’s offices is greatly diminished.
With the online software that IUSA has developed, Utilities will be able to access all types of information from their users and meters through reports tailored to their specific needs and interests. A broader amount of field information leads to better decisions regarding control, analysis, planning, and management of services.
IUSA Smart Self-Managed Metering System is definitively, the most innovative solution to commercialize energy, water and natural gas.
