E.ON launches smart water meter drive in Germany

E.ON is partnering with Vodafone to retrofit water meters with wireless technology to convert them into smart meters.

The technology has been introduced in the first companies and facilities in the Ruhr region, with almost 200 networked water meters in use at around 30 locations to date, E.ON and Vodafone have reported.

As part of their partnership, the two companies are planning to use the technology in a similar form for electricity and gas meters in the future.

Vodafone Germany CEO Hannes Ametsreiter comments that digital technologies and the Internet of Things are the key to achieving climate goals.

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“They help us to use valuable resources such as water and energy responsibly and to save emissions. On the factory floors, on our streets, in the entire energy cycle and with smart water meters in our basements.”

Reportedly in Germany a water pipe bursts approximately every 30 seconds. In 2019 alone, 1.1 million cases of tap water damage were recorded, with costs adding up to over €3 billion ($3.4 billion).

The new digital technology, which will transmit data over the existing mobile network, should enable leaks or other irregularities in water use to be detected much earlier and thus save these resources. In addition, it should facilitate the offer of new services for customers.

Leonhard Birnbaum, Chairman of the E.ON Board of Management, says that for climate neutrality to succeed, sustainability and digitalisation must go hand in hand.

“Both the energy industry and the telecommunications industry are facing a decade of disruptive change. To make decisive progress in digitalisation and sustainability, we need new smart solutions, strong partnerships and shared visions across industry boundaries.”

The companies expect to instal another 1,000 smart meters by the end of the year. In the future, the technology will also be used on a large scale in private households. With an app, users will then be able to keep track of their water consumption data and be alerted directly in the case of damage occurring.