Load Research Project

The owners of the gas transportation networks in England, Scotland and Wales conduct research to support the operation of the gas transportation network. These network owners utilise xoserve to undertake this essential process, which is mandated by the energy regulator. xoserve provides annual profiles of gas consumption, which is an essential part of the processes in providing the charges that gas transporters send to gas shippers for their usage of the pipeline.

Currently data is being gathered from approximately 4,200 volunteers who are mainly domestic gas consumers spread across mainland Britain. Data is gathered using recording devices attached to the gas meter. Individual data is added to other consumer data from the same area before it is shared with gas transporters and shippers. These devices do not send meter readings so do not affect the gas supplier’s need to read the gas meter to calculate the consumer’s bill.

Current Data Collection
Since 1994, data has been collected using data recording equipment that have to be physically read by a person visiting the premises, to download the data to hand held equipment. This is done when operatives visited sites twice a year, in spring and autumn to download data.

Improvements in Data Collection
To reduce this need to visit consumer’s properties, xoserve has commenced a programme designed to replace the current equipment with an automatic meter reading unit, (AMR).These units will be installed in a phased roll out during 2010.

This equipment, whilst wholly owned by xoserve, is manufactured by Technolog but installed, maintained and managed by Utilitec Services Ltd. These new devices will be attached to gas meters, which incorporate a low frequency pulse output mechanism. They will be set up to capture daily consumption data in an encrypted format, satisfying all elements of data protection. This consumption data is then automatically transmitted via the GSM network to Utilitec Services data centre, ( www.utilitecservices.com ) , using one of several airtime providers.

For more details please contact John Ryder on 0121 623 2698 or john.c.ryder@xoserve.com

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