For GRESB, Green Star and NABERS
Meter validation and Consumption Checks in remote reading systems
For GRESB, Green Star and NABERS
This article provides additional information for:
- meter validation, and
- Confirmation of consumption in remote-reading software platforms
For the Auditor series 6M and 3RM devices under the NABERS meter validation process. In addition to NABERS the technical standard is used in Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), Green Star and other Australian-used sustainability reporting frameworks.
Similar information is required for CIBSE TM39 and other standards with validation processes.
Remote-reading system vs Wattwatchers Tools
You may have noticed that the Wattwatchers Auditor devices don’t have a screen on the device. Wattwatchers tools (Onboarding, Fleet and MyEnergy Fleet) Provide visibility of data from the wattwatchers devices. In traditional terminology they are considered to be the ‘face read’ of the meter. They read, aggregate and visualise the raw data from Wattwatchers devices.
In property projects common ‘remote reading’ software platforms include: Buildings Alive, Envizi, Switch Automation, SUMS, Azility, Pipp AI (Build-Apps) and Envisij. The comparison of readings from Wattwatchers tools (face-read equivalent) to the remote reading platform is essential to complete certifications.
Meter validation for NABERS, Greenstar and GRESB
Multiple sustainability sustainability in Australia reference the NABERS metering validation process. In NABERS technical-speak, Wattwatchers technology is classified as a non-utility meter, remotely read metering system.
- The Auditor 6M, and 3RM are interval meters.
- The Auditor 6M+One is both an interval and Cumulative Meter that also supports a traditional meter face read.
- Wattwatchers technology uses split-core Current Transformers, or Rogowski coils for sensing current.
Wattwatchers has simplified the configuration of devices through the onboarding application. The NABERS validation process caters for less sophisticated meters. The Onboarding application shown below enables you to configure the device, review settings and view real-time data - this tool satisfies the requirements and objectives in the NABERS ‘Current transformer (CT) Meters validation process section 7.3.1
There are three key Onboarding pages:
- Start - provides access to the device information including signal strength, custom device name and timezone configuration.
- Channels - allows the configuration of the electrical installation type, Current Transformer (CT) clamps and circuit names. This page shows the settings currently applied.
- Energy - displays the real-time energy consumption, plus voltage and power factor information used to validate meter readings.
Upon scanning or entering a Device ID, the current settings and readings for that device are shown.
A comprehensive onboarding user guide can be found at: https://service.wattwatchers.com.au/onboarding-application-user-guide
Start
The image below shows the start page.
Enter, name, timezone and antenna type, and [Save]
The name should be entered in accordance with the agreed name format of your customer.
Eg. [Customer property code]_[Street],[Building]_[Tenant]_[Board identifier]
TC876_123 Street_WH1_TenantAwesome_DB4
Check signal quality with the electrical board door closed. Fit high gain antenna if required.
Channels Page
The channels page enables configuration settings to be reviewed, and applied. Circuit names can be entered to help identify loads.
Set load type: single or three phase most commonly.
Set CT sizes and circuit names.
Once the correct Current Transformer size is set and Saved on the Onboarding ‘channels’ page, the readings displayed on the ‘energy’ page are automatically adjusted for the new CT size - there’s no need to manually multiply anything.
The use of a clamp meter is required to validate readings against the Wattwatchers onboarding app readings.
The ‘save’ button at the top of the page appears if changes are made to settings on any page. Settings are applied when the save button is pressed.
Energy Page
The Onboarding ‘Energy’ page provides real-time measurements equivalent to reading the meter face on a traditional meter.
When the CT size is set in the onboarding application and Saved, the correct ratio is applied to the device.
Voltage, current and power factor readings are real-time readings (updating every 5 seconds) that can be used to compare against a third party test device like a tongs meter.
Warning: Fitting billing or third-party CT's to an Auditor can cause inaccurate readings and damage the hardware. The Warranty of an Auditor is void if third-party CTs, or CTs of the incorrect specification, are fitted to an Auditor.
The CT sizes set can be reviewed by viewing onboarding, however the turns ratios and K-factor are not visible through the user interface, but must be recorded in the NABERS validation record. The table below summarises key information for the Wattwatchers Current Transformers for use in your validation records.
|
Wattwatchers Current Sensors |
CT Turns ratio |
Meter Multiplier (K-factor) |
|
CT: 60A / 80mA |
1:750 |
750 |
|
CT: 120A / 100mA |
1:1200 |
1,200 |
|
CT: 200A / 100mA |
1:2000 |
2,000 |
|
CT: 400A / 100mA |
1:4000 |
4,000 |
|
CT: 600A / 100mA |
1:6000 |
6,000 |
|
Rogowski Coil: 3,000A / 300mV (Auditor 3R only) |
N/A |
100mV/kA sensitivity |
See all information for using the onboarding tool to commission and Auditor here.
Additional information for the Auditor 6M+One
The Auditor 6M+One is both an interval and cumulative meter if CT’s are fitted correctly.
Please refer to the following articles with information on the A6M+One solution.
https://service.wattwatchers.com.au/a6mone-selection-and-pre-installation-guide
https://service.wattwatchers.com.au/a6mone-comprehensive-installation-guide
|
Wattwatchers Current Transformer (CT) for A6M+One PMC-340-BB Meters |
CT Turns ratio |
Meter Multiplier / K-factor |
|
600A / 5A |
1:120 |
120 |
|
1500A / 5A |
1:300 |
300 |
Example Meter Validation Form
Supporting Evidence of Validation
We recommend best practice is to provide supporting information of validation;
- Screenshot showing ‘start’ page with good signal strength - no red banner - with electrical board door closed, and any room doors closed.
- Screenshot showing CT settings and circuit labels
- Screenshot Showing correct power readings under load conditions.
Monitoring Consumption with Auditor 6M and 3RM via Remote Reading Software
For customers on the MyEnergy Fleet Subscription for business the following method can be used to confirm the kWh readings for every metering point for any complete day.
Users who have access can access MyEnergy Fleet from wattwatchers.app - See RH icon below.
The kWh from MyEnergy Fleet can be compared to a third-party platform to determine if readings are correct.
- The table shows all metering points in your site/account.
- Select the desired date range in the top right-hand corner.
- Compare kWh for any number of complete days in another platform.
- Data quality (% complete) is also shown and can highlight installation / communication issues.
- All metering point kWh readings update for the period selected.
- Use the download button in the top right-hand corner of the table to export data if required and share with other stakeholders.
- Compare values to third-party software platform used for remote meter reading to ensure:
- kWh readings are correct
- Energy end-use is correct.
Monitoring Consumption with Auditor 6M+One via Remote Reading Software and Direct On-Screen
The Auditor 6M+One integrates a cellular Auditor device with a CET PMC meter connected via Modbus. Data from the CET PMC meter can be accessed in two ways:
- Via the Auditor 6M Device: Data is transmitted over a cellular network through the Auditor 6M device and can be accessed via the Wattwatchers REST API.
- On-Screen Display: Data values can be viewed directly on the CET PMC meter's on-screen display.