2016 global smart meter installation will reach 31.8 million

According to the research report of Pike Research, the global smart meter investment will reach USD 4.2 billion from 2010 to 2016.

Pike mentioned in a recent report that the increasing pressure of water resources has forced public infrastructure to increase its use efficiency. One of the most important measures is the installation of smart residential water meters for consumers. Pike estimates that by 2016, the number of smart meters will increase from 8 million in 2010 to 31.8 million.

Pike said that until 2016, the smart meter's annual market revenue will reach 85.6 million US dollars, an increase of 110% compared with 2010.

Another water utilities technology that is being installed includes advanced sensor networks and automation systems for more accurate leak detection.

“Water meters have a very effective role in protecting water resources,” said research analyst Jevan Fox. “Research shows that the use of water meters to show users that their actual consumption of water charges can reduce the use of at least 15% of water. When water suppliers add automatic viewing capabilities to water meters, its role in protecting water resources will become more apparent.”

Smart water meters can help companies master user fees and ways to save money, IBM vice president has said in a patent to environmental leaders.

However, the water conservancy facilities market is very fragmented in many parts of the world, and the adoption of advanced water meters faces great challenges, Fox said. The problem of division of labor can restrict the automatic viewing of water meter information to be widely accepted, but if water meters cannot be viewed often, this limits the automatic savings of water bills, Fox emphasizes.