Itron’s smart gas meter certified for rollout across Canada

Measurement Canada, an agency supporting the development of innovation, science and economic development, has approved Itron’s Intelis residential smart gas meter as fit for rollout across Canada.

The certification confirms that Itron’s Intelis complies with PS-G-06 provisional specification for ultrasonic meters in Canada.

The gas meter is the first ultrasonic with an internal shutoff value to be approved by Measurement Canada, according to the statement.

The meter leverages high gas flow and temperature sensors to detect potentially dangerous conditions such as open fuel lines or fires. In the event of a detection, the smart meter notifies the utility and automatically shuts off – a capability that helps ensure customer safety.

Air detection alerts of potential meter removal enable the sending of an alert to the utility operations center to help avoid or curb theft and meter tampering.

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This process can help utilities to improve revenue collection and reduce operational costs. In the event of non-payment, the smart gas meter enacts remote shut off or disrupts service.

John Marcolini, senior vice president of Networked Solutions at Itron said: “Open fuel lines caused from natural disasters, human error or malicious intent pose a threat to utility infrastructure. To prepare for the unexpected, utilities and cities can benefit from the enhanced gas safety measures found in Itron’s Intelis gas meter.

“With Measurement Canada approval, utilities can now deploy and rely upon the Intelis gas meter to automatically shut off within seconds of incident detection, regardless of utility involvement or network connectivity. Additionally, utilities operating under a network have the added benefit of being able to remotely shut off the valve in the event of an emergency. We are thrilled that the Intelis gas meter is the first residential ultrasonic meter with a shutoff valve to be approved by Measurement Canada.”

The approval will enable Itron to expand its footprint within the smart grid landscape in Canada. The Canadian government, through Natural Resources Canada, set aside $100 million in fundingin 2018 for smart grid deployment and testing over a period of four years.

By deploying smart grids, Canada aims to improve utilities’ monitoring and management of events happening within grid networks to increase the penetration of renewable energy, a move that will help decarbonise the energy industry in the country.