It’s not just an outstanding landmark, Manchester’s Chips building is hiding some remarkable technology that makes it one of the smartest buildings in the city: it can tell you if it springs a leak.

In 2011 the building was installed with a ground-breaking smart metering system that has the possibility to:

• Read its own water meters
• Measure water consumption in real time
• Communicate breakdowns and leaks as soon as they occur

Chips is one of a series of trials designed to address the High Rise Challenge set by DECC, to ensure that homes in multi-dwelling units (about 20% of UK households) can take advantage of the in-home displays included in the smart meter roll out.

Region
Manchester (England)

Challenge
Automated water meter reading and control

Solution
Broadband Powerline in the low voltage network