New Zealand bottled gas supplier Genesis Energy has launched a LoRaWAN based monitoring service for domestic customers to tell it, and the customer, when the level of gas in the bottle is running low so they can order a replacement.
The system works by using a weight sensor placed underneath the gas bottle. Data on the amount of gas is sent to Genesis which uses this to generate daily or weekly emails to customers telling them how much gas remains and telling them when they should re-order.
Although it is accurate to 0.1kg Genesis says empty bottle weights can vary by as much as one 1kg, so it is guaranteeing accuracy of plus or minus five percent.
The system was developed in conjunction with Christchurch based technology company Sensys, which specialises in designing LoRaWAN-enabled devices for a wide range of applications across global markets.
The service is presently available only with Genesis’ 45kg gas bottles and to residential customers in Auckland and Christchurch who also buy electricity from Genesis. However the company says it will be rolled out to business customers and to other regions later this year. It says there are some 130,000 households in New Zealand using bottled gas.
