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The Intelligent Metering Initiative (IMI) was established in February 2008 following widespread industry discussions regarding the role that upgraded metering technology could play in meeting industry and government objectives for the water sector. The IMI is not a lobby group for intelligent or smart metering, rather its aims are to:
- Help the sector understand the potential value of intelligent metering,
- Address the challenges of implementing a long term metering asset base which can take advantage of intelligent metering, and in doing so,
- Help the industry gain the maximum value from its metering strategies.
Membership of the IMI is open to companies and organisations who are involved in the provision, use or regulation of metering, AMR or intelligent metering. The IMI is funded through contributions from water companies and the Environment Agency. The IMI operates with a Steering Group which represents key stakeholder interests: i.e. water companies, WaterUK, UKWIR, Waterwise, CCW, OFWAT, the Environment Agency and Defra.
The secretariat for the IMI is provided by SBWWI, and technical support is provided by Artesia Consulting Ltd, I & P Services Ltd, and WRc plc.
The IMI has three main themes: - Collate, communicate and share information about metering policies, technologies, developments, costs and benefits, and standards information to members and industry stakeholders.
- Identify the key challenges and opportunities for the water industry now and in the future for implementing a long term metering asset base which can take advantage of intelligent metering, and monitoring progress in dealing with these challenges.
- Co-ordinate, monitor and carry out research to provide solutions to the key challenges facing the in industry in implementing intelligent metering.
These are explained in more detail here. The IMI has also established an 'Operations Group'. The group main aim is to resolve operational issues relating to metering and intelligent metering. More information on this group can be found here.
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