Applications of IoT Sensors in Utilities

OVERVIEW

IoT sensors are transforming utilities by providing real-time data for more efficient management of water, electricity, and gas systems. These sensors enable smart grids, which optimize energy distribution and reduce outages. In water management, they detect leaks and monitor usage to prevent waste. Gas utilities use IoT sensors for leak detection and safety monitoring. Overall, IoT sensors enhance predictive maintenance, reduce operational costs, and improve service reliability in the utility sector.

Depending on specific features and functions, GAO Tek’s IoT Sensors are sometimes referred to as Smart sensors, Connected sensors, intelligent sensors, Wireless sensors, Remote sensors, Digital sensors, Networked sensors, Embedded sensors, Cyber-physical sensors, and Automated sensors.   

GAO Tek’s IoT Sensors have the following applications in Utilities:  

• Smart Metering: Implementing advanced metering infrastructure for accurate real-time monitoring of electricity, water, and gas consumption, enabling more efficient billing and usage management. 
•  Leak Detection: Utilizing IoT sensors to identify and locate leaks in water and gas pipelines, reducing waste, and enhancing safety by preventing potential hazards. 

• Grid Management: Enhancing power distribution and grid reliability by monitoring electrical grid parameters such as voltage, current, and load in real-time, facilitating better demand response and outage management. 

• Predictive Maintenance: Monitoring the health and performance of utility infrastructure like transformers, pumps, and generators, predicting potential failures, and scheduling timely maintenance to avoid costly downtime. 

• Environmental Monitoring: Tracking environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, and air quality, around utility facilities to ensure compliance with regulations and optimize operational conditions. 

• Energy Optimization: Collecting and analyzing data on energy usage patterns to optimize energy consumption, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. 

 More information on IoT Sensors and their applications in other industries can be found on this page. This category page lists related products IoTs.  

Systems in Manufacturing IoT Sensors in Utilities 

Here are some popular systems in Utilities using IoT Sensors: 

• Smart Metering Systems: 

• Systems:  

Landis+Gyr, Itron, Sensus 

• Software:  

Gridstream (Landis+Gyr), Itron Analytics, Sensus FlexNet 

• Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS): 

• Systems:  

Siemens Spectrum Power, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure, GE Grid Solutions 

• Software:  

Spectrum Power (Siemens), EcoStruxure ADMS (Schneider Electric), Grid Solutions ADMS (GE) 

• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems: 

• Systems:  

ABB Ability, Honeywell Experion, Emerson Ovation 

• Software: 

 Ability SCADA (ABB), Experion PKS (Honeywell), Ovation SCADA (Emerson) 

• Water Management  Systems: 

• Systems: 

 Xylem, Badger Meter, Aclara 

• Software: 

 Sensus Analytics (Xylem), BEACON AMA (Badger Meter), STAR Network (Aclara) 

• Gas Monitoring and Management Systems 

• Systems: 

Elster, Honeywell Gas Solutions, Schneider Electric Gas Management 

• Software:  

Elster Solutions, Experion Gas SCADA (Honeywell), EcoStruxure Gas Management (Schneider Electric) 

• Predictive Maintenance Systems: 

• Systems:  

IBM Maximo, GE Predix, SAP Predictive Maintenance 

• Software:  

Maximo Asset Management (IBM), Predix Asset Performance Management (GE), SAP Predictive Maintenance and Service 

• Environmental Monitoring Systems: 

• Systems:  

Vaisala, Aeroqual, Sensirion 

• Software:  

Vaisala Observation Network Manager, Aeroqual Cloud, MyAmbience (Sensirion) 

GAO Tek’s targeted markets are North America, particularly the U.S. and Canada. 

Complying with Government Regulations  

GAO Tek’s IoT Sensors in Utilities comply or help our customers comply with the U.S. government regulations such as:  

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations: 

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Regulations: 

• North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Standards: 

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations: 

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Regulations: 

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Guidelines: 

GAO Tek’s IoT Sensors in Utilities comply or help our clients comply with the Canadian regulations such as: 

• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Regulations: 

• Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) Regulations: 

• Health Canada Regulations: 

• Provincial and Territorial Regulations: 

• Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standards: 

• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Regulations: 

• Measurement Canada Regulations: 

Case Studies of IoT Sensors in Utilities 

IoT Sensors in Utilities are sometimes referred to “smart sensors” or “smart utility sensors.” These terms highlight their advanced capabilities in collecting and transmitting real-time data for better management and optimization of utility services.  

Here are some practical examples of IoT sensors in Utilities: 

• Smart Meters: 

Monitor water, gas, or electricity usage in real-time for accurate billing and efficient resource management. 

• Leak Detection Sensors:  

Detect and alert for leaks in pipelines to prevent waste and damage. 

• Grid Monitoring Sensors: 

 Monitor the health and performance of electrical grids to ensure reliability and optimize distribution. 

• Environmental Sensors: 

Measure air and water quality to comply with regulations and ensure public safety. 

• Energy Efficiency Sensors: 

Track energy consumption to identify opportunities for optimization and cost reduction. 

• Asset Health Sensors: 

Monitor the condition of critical infrastructure like transformers to predict and prevent failures. 

• Safety Sensors: 

Detect hazardous conditions such as gas leaks to ensure worker and community safety. 

GAO RFID Inc. RFID Hardware, a sister company of GAO Tek Inc., is ranked as a top 10 RFID suppliers in the world. Its RFID, BLE, and IoT products have also been widely used in construction and mining. 

https:/gaotek.com/category/iot/iot-sensors/  

https://gaorfid.com/utilities-industry-rfid-solutions/ 

Use of IoT Sensors with Leading Software and Cloud Services in Utilities 

GAO Tek has used or has facilitated its customers to use GAO’s Tek IoT Sensors with some of the leading software and cloud services in their applications. Examples of such leading software and cloud services include: 

• Microsoft Azure IoT 

• AWS IoT 

• IBM Watson IoT 

• GE Predix 

• Siemens MindSphere 

• C3.ai IoT Platform 

• Bosch IoT Suite 

• Sierra Wireless AirVantage 

• Google Cloud IoT Core 

• Amazon Quicksight 

GAO Tek’s IoT Sensors and their applications in other industries are listed on this page, IoT Sensors. Other related products can be found at this category page, IoT. 

Meeting Customers’ Demands  

Large Choice of Products  

In order to satisfy the diversified needs of their corporate customers, GAO Tek Inc. and its sister company GAO RFID Inc. together offer a wide choice of testing and measurement devices, network products, RFID, BLE, IoT, and drones.   

Fast Delivery  

To shorten the delivery to our customers, GAO has maintained a large stock of its products and is able to ship overnight within the continental U.S. and Canada from the nearest warehouse.  

Local to Our Customers  

We are located in both the U.S. and Canada. We travel to customers’ premises if necessary. Hence, we provide a very strong local support to our customers in North America, particularly the U.S., Canada. Furthermore, we have built partnerships with some integrators, consulting firms and other service providers in different cities to further strengthen our services. Here are some of the service providers in Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting we have worked with to serve our joint customers:  

•  NBCUniversal 
• CBS Corporation 

• Disney 

• WarnerMedia 

• ViacomCBS 

• Rogers Media 

• Bell Media 

• Corus Entertainment 

• CBC/Radio-Canada 

• Shaw Media 

• PMorgan Chase 

• Bank of America 

• Wells Fargo 

• Citigroup 

• Goldman Sachs 

• Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) 

• Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) 

• Scotiabank 

• Bank of Montreal (BMO) 

• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) 

• AT&T 

• Verizon 

• KPMG LLP 

• Booz Allen Hamilton 

GAO has many Customers in Utilities 

The products from both GAO Tek Inc. and GAO RFID Inc. have been widely used in utilities by many customers, including some leading companies. Here is more information on applications of GAO RFID Inc.’s products in Utilities.  

https://gaotek.com-IoT-sensors-in-utilities  

https://gaorfid.com/utilities-industry-rfid-solutions/ 

Here are some of GAO’s customers in Utilities: 

Northeast Region of the U.S.: 

• Schneider Electric 

• Honeywell International Inc. 

• Johnson Controls 

• Siemens AG 

• Rockwell Automation 

• Emerson Electric Co. 

• General Electric (GE) Digital 

• ABB Ltd. 

Midwest Region of the U.S.: 

• Rockwell Automation 

• Emerson Electric Co. 

• Honeywell International Inc. 

• Johnson Controls 

• Siemens AG 

• Schneider Electric 

• General Electric (GE) Digital 

• ABB Ltd. 

• Eaton Corporation 

South Region of the U.S.: 

• Siemens AG 

• Johnson Controls 

• Rockwell Automation 

• Emerson Electric Co. 

• General Electric (GE) Digital 

• ABB Ltd. 

• Motorola Solutions 

• Texas Instruments 

West Region of the U.S.: 

• Johnson Controls 

• Emerson Electric Co. 

• Rockwell Automation 

• General Electric (GE) Digital 

• ABB Ltd. 

• Cisco Systems Inc. 

• SolarWinds 

Canada: 

• Schneider Electric Canada 

• Honeywell Canada 

• Siemens Canada 

• Johnson Controls Canada 

• Rockwell Automation Canada 

• Emerson Electric Canada 

• ABB Canada 

• General Electric (GE) Digital Canada 

• Eaton Canada 

• IBM Canada