Emerging wireless and related technologies

Emerging wireless and related technologies– laying the foundations for future widespread adoption

Karim Esmail

BRE, Director of Technology

Water UK, 13 May 2004

2Karim Esmail, BRE, Director of Technology- Water UK:13 May 2004

Agenda

BRE What is Wireless RFID Advantages / Disadvantages Industrial Examples Potential for the Water Industry Suggestions for Way Forward


Who are we ?

BRE is a world leading centre of expertise on built environment.

- building and construction

- prevention and control of fire

- environment (including water)

- energy

- products and environmental

certification BRE Garston BRE Cardington

BRE Scotland

About 680 staff Over 360 consultants, many of whom are international

experts 400 Associates

BRE Teesside

BRE is a commercial organisation, wholly owned by the Foundation

of Built Environment (FBE), which is a charitable trust


What is RFID

RFID – Radio Frequency Identification Device Radio Barcode Radio Tags

Types of Tags Active Tags Passive Tags

Barcode Non-Interactive


Basic Components of RFID

RFID Tag Corporate Asset /

Database

Asset Register/

Data Base

Tag Reader

Office PC’s

RFIDTransmission/Receive Signal

WirelessTransmission/ReceiveSignal Internet

TCP/IP


RFID groups

Frequency Band Characteristics Typical Applications

Low

(100-500 kHz)

Intermediate

(10-15 MHz)

High

(850-950 MHz

2.4-5.8 GHz)

Short to medium read

range

Inexpensive

low reading speed

Short to medium read

range

potentially inexpensive

medium reading speed

Long read range

High reading speed

Line of sight required

Inventory Management

Asset Tracking

Process Tracking

Health and Safety Audits

Access control

Smart cards

Expensive

Railroad car monitoring

Toll collection systems


Technical Advantages / Disadvantages of RFID

Advantages

RFID obviates the need for contact or line-of-sight. Multiple tags can be scanned and processed quickly. A high level of data integrity is provided as error rates are

lowered. Less prone to data compared to barcode labels. Difficult to counterfeit RFID tags. Portable scanning devices such as the RFID wand.


Technical Advantages / Disadvantages of RFID

Disadvantages

Cost of RFID (tags, reader/antenna, software) Concerns about the Radio waves Some Radio waves cannot pass through metal, or water, at

certain frequencies. Issues with distracting radio signals can may disrupt tag-reader

and certification. Standards – EPC Global.


Examples of Industry Applications

Retail – Tesco, Wall-Mart, Gillette Supply chain management, Attrition Asset management: E.g. palettes moving in and out

Shipping Container tracking: Keeping track of reusable containers Security

Transport Mass Transit tickets Toll charging

Farming Herd tracking (BSC issues)

Chemical Gas cylinder tracking; Hazardous materials tracking

Brewery Beer drums

Textile / Laundry : identification Garment identification speeds Luggage / Parcel Tracking: Logistics


BRE’s Projects on RFID

STI: Feasibility study for developing a leasing

scheme for smart concrete

Opportunities for Asset Whole Life Costing

Tracking: - Improved specification

- Manufacturing Schedule track

- Delivery track

- Options feasible for operating cost structure

Implementing: - Tracking software with RMC

- Reside in parallel with Supply Chain SAP software



Use of tagging and wireless technologies to improve construction

manufacturing DTI: 4 demonstration projects Hazlin: Door manufacturer Forticrete, Trent, Carter: Concrete structures manufacturing

Initial feedback from companies potential cost savings from 1-4% Extend MIS data mapping.

Housing Association boiler Asset Maintenance Manchester Housing (58,000 properties) Bournville Village (3,000 properties)

Boiler Asset register Service Records Pre-emptive Maintenance Schedule



DTI: Basic Technology Project to Identify areas for RFID application in: Oil Industry

- Logistics: Tankers – Liquid transport

- Asset Protection and Maintenance

- Health and Safety

- Difference: Harsh Environment applications Off Site Manufacturing (Pre-Cast) Sectors.

- Manufacturing to specification

- Delivery: on time, to right place

- Energy utilisation Waste Management

- Waste Tracking: Source to delivery and ownership / Landfill compliance

- Bins tracking (waste segregation / measurement)


Opportunities for Water Utilities

Plant Design and Build (Client Specification) Track materials (JIT - 1-2% savings) Plant equipment and tools

Health and Safety Hazardous Site Access - security Access audit – Restricted site, movement monitoring People Safety equipment ( re-direct attention to task)

Maintenance Preventative -> Pre-Emptive Predicative Maintenance track (extended asset register) – Asset WLC

Large structures ( Tanks, containers etc) Option for operating / lease cost


Business Considerations

Two key questions need to be answered before considering any RFID systems.

Benefits to the business

Economic factors: - Net Present Value (NPV)- Internal Rate of Return (IRR)- Payback Period of their RFID project


Conclusion and Way forward

The Wireless RFID has large potential for asset opportunity costs: both during build and maintenance phases

Need to establish demonstration projects within the water industry.

Suggestions for Way forward: Audit the WLC model and Identify the key cost drivers. Identify areas for RFID applications Pilot trial

- Benefits- Cost savings

Individual Water companies R&D or consortium


Thank you

Emerging wireless and related technologies

Business

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