Ukraine to deploy locally developed smart gas meters

Ukraine’s Regional Gas Company (RGC) has reported completing the certification of smart natural gas meters developed by its local R&D department.

Production and installation of the new smart meters for gas consumers is expected to begin at RGC’s metering centres in Q2 of 2023.

The meters combine a membrane meter and a built-in smart module with a modem, enabling the device to automatically transmit gas consumption data to the gas distribution company.

“Now, many people have left their homes and cannot access metering devices. Because of this, they have difficulties with calculations. Smart meters will eliminate these problems,” says Yaroslav Khavrel, head of the R&D department.

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“Besides, it’s convenient, even when you haven’t gone anywhere – you don’t have to worry about giving readings at the beginning of each month.”

The membrane meter is based on components of the Italian brand Mesura, while the smart module with a modem was designed by the RGC specialists.

The first batch of 16,000 gas smart meters is expected to be manufactured this year.

The new meters will be installed as part of the investment programme of the gas distribution companies.

Within the framework of this programme, old metering devices that have not passed the calibration will be replaced with the new meters free of charge.

In Ukraine, more than 10 million gas meters have been installed for households but only a few tens of thousands, around 0.5%, are smart. Other consumers have to transmit the meter readings monthly.

Previously RGC Metering has reported having replaced 75,000 gas meters for customers whose metering devices had been damaged in the war.

With the ability to replace the meters with locally manufactured products, the task can be completed more quickly than if waiting for other manufacturers’ supplies.