“True intelligence in our utility infrastructure is not simply the ability to measure what we consume, but the wisdom to recognize danger and act before tragedy strikes. When a smart meter can remotely disconnect electricity or shut off natural gas, it becomes more than a measuring instrument. It becomes a silent guardian, protecting our homes, our communities, and the courageous firefighters who risk their lives to protect ours.” – MJ Martin
The Evolution from Measurement to Control
For Canadian electricity and natural gas utilities, smart meters are evolving from passive measurement instruments into intelligent command and control devices. What once required a technician, a service vehicle, and a physical visit can increasingly be accomplished remotely.
Landis+Gyr exemplifies this transformation through electricity meters equipped with remote disconnect switches and ultrasonic gas meters incorporating autonomous safety valves. These technologies offer compelling improvements in operating costs, public safety, revenue protection, and emergency response.
Electricity Meters: Control at the Customer’s Doorstep
Landis+Gyr’s Revelo E360 electricity meters offer integrated 200-amp and 320-amp service disconnect capabilities. Essentially, the utility installs an electronically controlled switch inside the meter, allowing authorized operators to disconnect or reconnect electrical service remotely.
For customers moving between properties, remote connections simplify account transitions. For utilities, they reduce truck rolls, labour costs, fuel consumption, and service delays.
The Landis+Gyr Revelo specifications document these integrated disconnect capabilities.
Natural Gas: An Intelligent Safety Guardian
Landis+Gyr’s Surent G480 ultrasonic gas meter introduces an equally compelling proposition.
Unlike conventional diaphragm meters, the G480 incorporates ultrasonic measurement, pressure monitoring, temperature sensing, and an integrated shutoff valve.
The meter can respond autonomously or through remote commands to abnormal conditions involving excessive flow, overpressure, high temperatures, or suspected tampering.
Think of it as a vigilant guardian positioned at the entrance to a customer’s natural gas supply.
Landis+Gyr confirms these capabilities, although their availability in Canada remains subject to applicable approvals and deployment configurations.
Firefighter Safety: Protecting Those Who Protect Us
Perhaps one of the most important, yet frequently overlooked, benefits of remote utility control is protecting firefighters.
When firefighters arrive at a burning building, electricity and natural gas create serious additional hazards. Energized wiring introduces electrocution and arcing risks, particularly when water is being deployed. Escaping natural gas can intensify the fire or create explosive conditions.
Traditionally, isolating utilities may require personnel to approach a hazardous building or wait for utility technicians to arrive.
Imagine firefighters responding to a residential structure fire. While crews establish their defensive positions, the incident commander contacts utility dispatch. Authorized utility operators issue remote commands to disconnect electricity and close the natural gas meter valve, where supported.
Within moments, depending on communications availability and successful command execution, two significant sources of danger may be reduced without anyone physically approaching the burning structure.
This can improve firefighter safety, reduce additional fuel feeding the fire, and support more effective rescue and suppression operations.
However, remote disconnection is not equivalent to verified isolation. Incoming electrical conductors may remain energized, while solar panels, batteries, and generators can continue supplying electricity. Gas remaining within piping can also present hazards. Firefighters must continue following established isolation and verification procedures.
Ontario’s Firefighter Guidance Notes specifically identify these electrical hazards.
I believe integrating utility command systems with emergency dispatch protocols represents an important opportunity for Canadian municipalities.
Revenue Protection and Grid Resilience
Remote switching also strengthens utility operations through tamper detection, consumption monitoring, and more efficient service management.
During emergencies, utilities can selectively disconnect individual customers where appropriate. However, meter switches cannot replace feeder protection equipment, reclosers, or properly engineered sectionalizing systems.
The greater benefit is operational flexibility, supported by reliable communications, cybersecurity, and documented command verification.
Canadian Regulatory and Operational Considerations
Technology does not supersede public policy.
Ontario’s Energy Board prohibits residential electricity and natural gas disconnections for non-payment between November 15 and April 30. Emergency safety disconnections are a different matter and must follow applicable operating requirements.
Remote gas restoration requires particular caution because appliances, piping integrity, and ignition sources may need verification before service resumes.
The Future of Intelligent Utility Operations
I believe remote command and control represents a fundamental advancement in utility operations. Smart meters are becoming both information sources and operational actuators.
But an important question remains. Should Canadian utilities evaluate these investments primarily through operational savings, or should firefighter safety, emergency response, and community protection become equally important considerations?
Ultimately, the greatest value is not simply opening or closing a switch remotely. It is creating utility infrastructure that protects customers, supports emergency responders, and makes our communities safer.
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 pilot, a learner, a technologist, a philosophizer, and a romantic optimist.