INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Big electric robot taxi car Renault EZ-GO concept at 88th Geneva International Motor Show
GIMS, produced by French multinational automobile manufacturer Renault
for decision-making and connectivity,’ i-DE South developments Communication is the final piece in this digital
CEO Antonio Espinosa de los Monteros said are now moving in this direction too, using
African
residential
integration puzzle. Once the information is
in a recent statement. ‘Networks are the technology to manage facilities and utilities gathered at the back-end, and digested and
circulatory system of the energy model and more effectively and cost-efficiently through interpreted in the smart system, how is it
the platform necessary for the transition smart data collection. presented to the end user? Increasingly, that
toward a decarbonised economy based on
end user (in this case, the home owner or
renewable energies. Leading this transition Prepaid water meters – managed by the estate management) is choosing the delivery
and tariff resident or home owner via a mobile app – mechanism that they prefer. One home owner
framework that fosters quality and efficiency, are one example. Prepaid water means that might want WhatsApp messages; another
incentivises the consumer purchases water credit in might opt for email; their neighbour might
the form of a prepaid water token,’ explains want to receive a notification through an
Marcus Business app or on their wearable device. The delivery
Development at smart metering systems mechanism will depend on the individual.
provider All that matters is that the information is
making
it
a
reality
digitalisation
require
and
innovation.’
a
promotes
Thulsidas,
Utility
Director
Systems.
of
‘When
entered
into the user interface unit (located in the
accurate, up-to-date and user-friendly.
consumer’s home), the token instructs the
water management device to allow a certain For today’s – and tomorrow’s – communities,
amount of water through the meter before the estate experience needs to be about
closing. Consumers can track usage, load integration. Residents want to know what
credit remotely, and decrease the possibility their water bill is right now, and what it will
of bill shock due to leakages or incorrect be when payment is due. They want that
monitoring.’ payment to be cashless and easy, and they
want to know that the readings are accurate.
The implications for rental properties and
BRONX, NEW YORK, USA — Bigbelly
is a solar-powered waste recep-
tacle with sensors measuring fill
levels and relaying data to facility
managers.
bodies corporate are significant. ‘Prepaid They want to know who’s waiting at the
metering reduces admin to a minimum, while gate, wanting to visit. They want seamless
removing the risk and frustration of late or access control, and they want to know that
non-payment of water bills,’ Thulsidas says. unwanted visitors are kept out. They want
‘This is why housing estates are swiftly easy use of the gym. They want to know
moving to prepaid water, as they did with when maintenance is going to be done – and
prepaid electricity. Gone are the days of completed – on their home and on the estate
splitting the entire estate’s water bill by the clubhouse. They want all of this, and they
number of units. Prepaid metering means that want it in one place.
users pay for their consumption only.’
That’s not too much to ask. And in some parts
of the world, they can have it today.
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INDUSTRY JOURNAL