Optical Meter Reader for connected utility and sub-meter reading

智能计量智能计量是一种在全球范围内实施的能源分配技术，其驱动因素包括新法规、提高能源电网效率的需求以及客户对改进计费和反馈的需求。尽管智能电表的推出是由英国等国家的激励措施和立法推动的。和欧盟部分地区，它落后于时间计划。它也遇到了阻力，主要是由于成本高和最终用户更换电表的积极性低。缓慢和昂贵的进展在电表的推出方面投入了大量资金，但效果相当缓慢。对于资金来源较少的国家来说，推广昂贵的智能电表系统是一项艰巨的任务。减少温室气体（GASESmart）计量经常被作为ICT解决方案的一个例子提到，该解决方案具有减少温室气体（GHG）排放的潜力。访问各种住宅，建筑物和其他场所都有感染和传播COVID-19感染的风险。光学智能计量莱瓦光学抄表阅读是一种解决方案，其中光学抄表器连接到公用事业仪表的前面，它读取仪表显示，将数字转换为数字值，通过智能仪表或移动的通信网络传输。通过这样做，创建了满足SMETS智能计量标准的要求的虚拟智能仪表。虚拟智能仪表通过将智能光学仪表读取器与现有的工作良好的机电仪表（“虚拟智能仪表”）一起使用，智能电表技术的实施成本比全面部署智能电表要低得多。节省成本安装光学读取器比安装完整的智能电表，并通过保持现有电表基础设施的投资价值，将其转换为虚拟智能电表，从而实现显著的成本节约。该系统是一种解决方案，可以以最低的成本使传统电表智能化，并且不会侵入电表。

SMART METERINGSmart metering is a technology implemented on energy distribution on a worldwide scale driven by new regulations, needs for improved efficiency in energy grids and customer demand for improved billing and feedback. Even though the smart meter rollout is driven by incentives and legislation in countries like the U.K. and parts of EU, it lags on the time plans. It has also met resistance, mostly due to high costs and low motivation to change the meters by the end-users.SLOW AND COSTLY PROGRESSLarge sums of money are invested with quite slow results in the meter rollout. For countries with less access to capital, it is a difficult task to roll out expensive smart meter systems.REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GASESSmart metering is often mentioned as an example of an ICT solution with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.A large part of the meter readings is done manually by meter readers. Visiting various residential homes, buildings, and other premises is a risk of both catching and spreading the COVID-19 infection.OPTICAL SMART METERINGLaiwa Optical Meter reading is a solution where an optical meter reader is attached to the front of the utility meter, it reads the meter display, converts the numbers to digital values that transmit through the smart meter or mobile communication networks. By doing so, a virtual smart meter is created that fulfils the requirements of the SMETS smart metering standard.VIRTUAL SMART METERSBy using the smart optical meter reader with existing, well working, electromechanical meters, "virtual smart meters", the smart meter technology can be implemented at a much lower cost than a full smart meter rollout.COST SAVINGThe installation of the optical readers is much easier than installing a complete smart meter and achieves significant cost savings through keeping the existing meter infrastructure with residing investment value transforming them to virtual smart meters.The system is a solution to making legacy meters smart at a minimal cost and no intrusion on the meter.