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11 million Smart Gas Meters using the 169MHz frequency

Smart gas metering

GRDF is the largest Distribution system operators (DSO) in Europe operating a 198 000 km long network. the company has innovated in its market by using the 169 MHz frequency, which is unique in the world regarding the gas sector. 

GRDF has developed an expertise in monitoring radio network while launching a gas smart meter system. One of the company's main goal is to develop and roll-out gas smart meters to its 11 million consumers nation-wide. 

Real conditions experiments have shown Wize technology is the most efficient wireless smart metering solution

Four experimentations were lead with all the stakeholders to determine the technical aspects and features expected. The French DSO developed a simple, robust and reliable gas smart meter.

Since May 2017, GRDF started the roll-out of its gas smart metering all over the France. The technology will expand until 2022 with the deployment of 11 million meters and 15 000 gateways.

What are the goals of GRDF's smart metering projects?

3 major goals use case gas

What does the new gas smart meter offer to its consumers?

For consumers, the new smart meter offers useful information such as daily consumption, consumption alarms and comparison system. For local governments and real estate owners, it provides access to aggregated and anonymous data at the district or collective housing building level.

Gas Network Monitoring and Energy Harvester

AllWize, member of the Wize Alliance, and Naturgy have come up with a Gas Network Monitoring (GNM) system connected to the Wize network. This device enables Naturgy to implement the monitoring of operation parameters (flow, pressure, leaks, etc) remotely and at a low cost. This system is meant to help Naturgy to undertake predictive maintenance of the network, improve the performance of the gas network and prevent energy fraud.

Besides, the GNM is equipped a with thin-film thermoelectric harvesting technology taking advantage of the thermal gradient between the gas and room temperature. Thermal energy converted into electrical energy allows the powering of the whole system including sensors and Wize communication to make the IoT device autonomous.

AllWize was chosen amongst other companies for its use of the Wize protocol, which enables amazing deep indoor penetration due to the long wavelength of the frequency 169 MHz. Having a device that can communicate even buried deeply underground is imperative for gas use cases.

Other gas use cases

  • Pressure drop detection in riser columns
  • Detection of gas manhole covers during work
  • Pipe’s cathodic protection monitoring
  • Connected gas shut-off valve
  • Methane, CO and smoke detection