“The modern gas meter no longer simply measures what has passed through the pipe. It senses the health of the system, communicates what it sees, and can act when safety demands it. Intelligence has finally reached the edge of the gas network.” – MJ Martin
Reinventing the Gas Meter
The Landis+Gyr Surent G480 represents a significant evolution in residential and light-commercial gas metering. For Canadian utilities, it demonstrates how the traditional gas meter is becoming much more than a device used to calculate a monthly bill. The G480 combines ultrasonic measurement, pressure sensing, temperature monitoring, communications, and an internal electrically operated shutoff valve within one intelligent platform. (Landis+Gyr)
The comparison with a smartphone is appropriate. A smartphone still makes telephone calls, but calling is now only one of dozens of functions contained within the device. Similarly, the G480 still measures natural gas consumption, but measurement is only the beginning of what the platform can accomplish.
Ultrasonic Measurement
The G480 uses ultrasonic time-of-flight technology rather than traditional mechanical measuring components. Ultrasonic signals travel through the gas stream, and differences in transit time are used to calculate flow. Landis+Gyr specifies Class 1 percent accuracy across the meter’s operating range. (Landis+Gyr)
Eliminating moving measurement components offers important advantages. There are fewer mechanical elements subject to friction and wear, while the electronic architecture allows sophisticated diagnostics and monitoring to be integrated directly into the meter.
The current Landis+Gyr specification identifies capacities of 250 CFH at a 0.4-inch water-column pressure differential and up to 425 CFH at a 1.0-inch differential. This broad operating capability can allow a common meter platform to address applications that traditionally required different meter classes. (Landis+Gyr)
Pressure Becomes Intelligence
One of the G480’s most important advances is integrated pressure measurement. The meter can provide utilities with information about gas consumption, pressure, and temperature directly at the customer premise. Landis+Gyr specifically identifies pressure monitoring as a means of detecting overpressure conditions and improving distribution-system visibility. (Landis+Gyr)
Imagine a utility distribution system as a human circulatory system. Measuring consumption tells us how much blood has passed through a point. Measuring pressure tells us something about the health of the entire system.
The internal electrically operated valve adds another important capability. Remote shutoff can reduce the need for certain field visits, while automated responses to abnormal operating conditions can strengthen safety and operational control.
Designed for Canadian Conditions
Cold-weather performance is essential in Canada. Landis+Gyr specifies an operating temperature range from -35°C to 60°C and a 20-year battery life. The meter is also rated IP67 for water resistance. (Landis+Gyr)
These are not minor specifications. Canadian gas infrastructure must operate reliably through prolonged winters, significant temperature swings, snow, ice, moisture, and decades of outdoor exposure.
Just as importantly, the Surent G480 is nearing the end of the process to receive Measurement Canada approval. It is expected in 2027, establishing the regulatory foundation required for its use as a revenue meter in Canada. Measurement Canada type approval is significant because gas meters used for measurement-based trade must satisfy federal metrological requirements before they can enter regulated service.
The Surent G480 meter has already achieved the equally rigorous New York State approval which is remarkable and significant; since it is as challenging to earn as the Measurement Canada type approval. It is the only ultrasonic gas meter to achieve this NY State approval at this time.
For Canadian utilities, once approved by the Regulators, this moves ultrasonic residential metering from an interesting emerging technology into a practical, deployable option.
One Communications Fabric
The G480 supports Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 communications, along with other communications options. (Landis+Gyr) This creates intriguing possibilities for utilities already deploying standards-based mesh infrastructure.
Electricity meters can provide powered nodes throughout the network, while gas and water endpoints can participate in the same communications ecosystem. Instead of creating separate technology islands for electricity, gas, and water, utilities can begin thinking about a common digital wireless network fabric connecting multiple services.
That raises the larger strategic question. Should Canadian utilities continue viewing the gas meter primarily as a billing device, or should every meter become a measurement instrument, pressure sensor, safety device, remotely controlled valve, and intelligent node within the utility network?
The Landis+Gyr Surent G480 suggests that the answer may define the next generation of gas distribution.
About the Author:
Michael Martin is the Vice President of Technology with Metercor Inc., a Smart Meter, IoT, and Smart City systems integrator based in Canada. He has more than 40 years of experience in systems design for applications that use broadband networks, optical fibre, wireless, and digital communications technologies. He is a business and technology consultant. He was a senior executive consultant for 15 years with IBM, where he worked in the GBS Global Center of Competency for Energy and Utilities and the GTS Global Center of Excellence for Energy and Utilities. He is a founding partner and President of MICAN Communications and before that was President of Comlink Systems Limited and Ensat Broadcast Services, Inc., both divisions of Cygnal Technologies Corporation (CYN: TSX).
Martin served on the Board of Directors for TeraGo Inc (TGO: TSX) and on the Board of Directors for Avante Logixx Inc. (XX: TSX.V). He has served as a Member, SCC ISO-IEC JTC 1/SC-41 – Internet of Things and related technologies, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and as a member of the NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model, National Institute of Standards and Technology. He served on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) [now Ontario Tech University] and on the Board of Advisers of five different Colleges in Ontario – Centennial College, Humber College, George Brown College, Durham College, Ryerson Polytechnic University [now Toronto Metropolitan University]. For 16 years he served on the Board of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Toronto Section.
He holds three master’s degrees – in business (MBA), communication (MA), and education (MEd). As well, he has three undergraduate diplomas and seven major certifications in business, computer programming, internetworking, project management, media, photography, and communication technology. He has completed over 80 next generation MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) [aka Micro Learning] continuous education programs in a wide variety of topics, including: Economics, Python Programming, Internet of Things, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive systems, Blockchain, Agile, Power BI, Big Data, Design Thinking, Security, Indigenous Canada awareness, and more.
Martin is a volunteer, a photographer, a learner, a technologist, a philosophizer, and a romantic optimist.