Joint research through data utilization of smart water meters, etc.

Today, the Toyohashi University of Technology, Tokyo Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd., Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. and Kosai City concluded the "basic agreement regarding joint research," in which research and surveys shall be conducted through collaboration between the government, industry, and academia in order to collect and analyze big data from smart water meters and various sensors, etc., for use in business, ahead of the rest of the nation.  

Background and objectives of joint research

Currently, water utilities are facing several issues such as a decline in water supply revenue, aging of water supply facilities, and staffing shortages, etc., amidst a decline in water demand due to a declining population and popularization of water-saving equipment. Thus, in recent years, they have been required to use advanced technologies to strengthen their business operation base and improve operational efficiency.

In order to resolve the issues that are challenging the water utilities, Kosai City has decided to form an industry-academia-government collaboration with Tokyo Engineering Consultants and Chubu Electric Power, along with the cooperation of the Toyohashi University of Technology, with which a comprehensive collaboration agreement was concluded in November 2019. Advanced technologies such as smart water meters and various sensors will be introduced and surveys and research on data utilization will be conducted so that big data obtained from measuring equipment on water usage, etc., can be used by the water utilities. 

Topics for joint research, etc.

1　We will "smartify" the water meters of users, and build a new information and telecommunications network to acquire information such as usage.

2　We will forecast the flow of water through information from smart water meters (usage status based on pipe network analysis)

3　In addition to the flow volume, flow rate, and water pressure, we will analyze the water quality status based on the pipe conditions and water temperature (residual chlorine concentration) and ascertain the concentration change mechanism.

4　We will conduct reviews of rational update plans for pipe lines (asset management) based on the flow of water and water quality status.

Joint research period

November 05, 2020 - March 31, 2024