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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGGT0066
Title	Meter Validation Assessment Tool (MVAT)
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid Gas Transmission
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 January 2015
End Date	01 October 2016
Duration	21 months
Total Grant Value	£425,000
Industrial Sectors	Technical Consultancy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGT0066
Objectives	To develop a comprehensive meter assessment tool. This will provide the user with a detailed set of functionality (uncertainty calculations/gas composition property determination) on standard mobile (iOS, Android) platforms. The MVAT suite will also provide a customer server portal for the storage of validation data. The MVAT will standardise the meter validation process providing a ready source of analysis data for both further analysis in the management of UAG (National Grid) and meter asset performance (owner). It is proposed to evaluate the project in terms of the following success criteria:1. Meter Uncertainty - The introduction of MVAT will provide a range of data currently unavailable to improve the management of UAG. The consistency of the validation approach will provide a clearer view of meter performance in real time and this is expected to encourage a more proactive re-basing of meter components. This re-trimming will be captured by the validation process and will result in meter systems with a reduced uncertainty range following validation. Success Criteria: - Increase of 50% in number of meters with improved measurement uncertainty following validation. 2. UAG Volumes (Energy) - MVAT will enable a greater control over the annual UAG volumes, particularly in relation to significant movements (bias) in behaviour as a consequence of meter error. MVAT will help National Grid to maintain the current diminution of annual UAG levels over the last few years. Success Criteria: Continued reduction in UAG levels but MVAT assists in the determination of any measurement error identification.
Abstract	National Grid is responsible for the management of Gas Transmission Shrinkage of which the major component is the Unaccounted for Gas (UAG) element and contributed £50. 86m to total shrinkage (community) costs in 2013/14. UAG is attributed to meter error as a consequence of measurement uncertainty. Determining the uncertainty profile, across the meter flow range, is only possible when a meter validation is performed and thus this foot printing of the meter provides important information concerning its performance and possible contribution to NTS UAG. All meter asset owners connected to the gas transmission system (NTS) are obligated to demonstrate compliance with the T/PM/ME2 validation processes. However the presentation of the test results is variable in terms of media and test sets. Currently the validation results are presented as a static data set which makes dynamic analysis of the results not available to either the asset owners or National Grid. It is the dynamic evaluation of the validation results in terms of the absolute meter measurement against the total reconciliation tolerances (0. 1% of daily flow) across its flow range that provide key meter performance information It is the development of the flow behaviour across the meter range that will enable National Grid to map out potential measurement anomalies which are potential sources of UAG. The development of the Meter Validation Assessment Tool (MVAT) will provide standard validation templates, which will harmonise the ME2 procedure giving more transparency and analysis of the results and thus improving UAG management. The project will develop a comprehensive meter validation and analysis software to be available for mobile platforms (iOS and Android) that will allow for the easy collection of appropriate meter validation data inclusive of simultaneously performing the necessary and gas property calculations (ISO 6976, AGA8, AGA10), flow equations (ISO 5167, ISO 9951) and established uncertainty assessment (ISO 5168). The application will also provide a detailed build-up of the meter performance in terms of the individual validation test tolerances. Upon completion of the validation the data will be automatically uploaded to the dedicated secure server. Each non UKT, user will be restricted to access their respective meter data only via a dedicated login feature. A desktop application (exclusive to National Grid) will allow all uploaded data to be analysed and the key meter metric data to be exported for further analyses external to the Measurement Validation Analysis Tool. The mobile interface will ensure standardisation of data entry inclusive of the expected validation tests to be completed. Free text fields and simultaneous gas composition calculations will allow the user to provide a detailed and standardised validation report. The desktop application will be configured to interface with HPMIS(1) (GMIST) and will thus still enable both systems to be utilized for meter validation data. Deliverables: Technical 1. Development of the tablet based app (iOS & Android) to include: Common code for tablet & desktop Calculation engine (Gas Properties)Mobile User Interface 2. Development of Desktop & Customer Portal Desktop User Interface and HPMIS/GMIST functionality Customer data portal and data handling functionality 3. Testing Desktop beta testing Field based beta testing Review and modification following beta testing 4. Deployment User Acceptance testing Rollout to customer base Training & Documentation Deliverables: Commercial Development of a robust commercial/legal framework to protect data and ensure data analysis freedom. Note 1: HPMIS High Pressure Meter Information System is the repository of the meter and Calorific Data for the NTS. Its replacement is GMIST that will perform the same functionality but will utilise the SAP portal. Change Control - July 2015 During the development of the Validation App there have been a number of new features that were not covered in the original scope but have subsequently been considered as offering a high end improvement to the final product. These improvements and additional features allow the application to take advantage of the latest security features, improved user functionality and data input capability. These enhancements include: Improved handling of site and configuration details to accommodate variations in validation techniques. Improved handling of site assets and calibration equipment details allowing easier user access to upload and store documents within the App Enabling for full functionality off-line validation capability with subsequent automatic portal upload. Not seen as an initial requirement but was considered desirable following user feedback. Support customer request to accommodate ME2 spreadsheet submission. This will allow users to upload ME2 data which will then be formatted to be compatible with MVAT for future data storage, analysis and retrieval. This is seen as future proofing the App during the period of user take up. Provide a dedicated keypad interface to improve data input. Concerns were raised during the initial testing that the iOS/Android default keypads were reducing the user experience. A dedicated keypad will be tailored to appropriate data field input reducing potential data error and increasing usability. Increasing validation test number to cater for non-standard ME2 user defined requirements. This is seen as broadening the App’s appeal and reflects the growing need to record addition data within the validation framework. Security enhancements to align with latest Cloud hosting requirements. Enhancing data extract from the User Portal and improving Validation test management for all users. Packaging the Gas Properties Calculation engine into a standalone dedicated App. Builds on the excel add-in but provides a unique gas property offering which incorporates the user interfaces (look & feel) of the main Validation App. The change control request increases the original budget by £62,650. This new scope and cost will enable the project team to deliver a robust and enhanced functioning Validation Tool which will be compatible and improve the user experience for all meter asset owners across the Gas Transmission Network. Change Control - February 2016 The development of the Meter Validation App (NGage) and its attendant spin out offerings, the gas property calculators NGageCALC App (freely available to download from the iTunes App Store and the Android Playstore) and excel add-in has continued apace. Despite some development difficulties, the generic Apps were launched at the LCNI Conference in November 2015. To complete the final stages of the App development and support a rigorous User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase additional time is required. This Change Control request pushes out the final delivery date to September 2016. This will ensure the validation tool has undergone comprehensive testing and evaluation during the 2016 meter witnessing programme. Change Control - June 2016During the final stages of product development, there were three key areas where there were some inconsistencies between the requirements and the final product. These were: The necessary background tables to allow all users to conduct their validations with all degrees of freedom were required to be added. The Tolerance calculator was requiring additional resource to provide the complete calculation engine as expected. The NGageCALC App required some small enhancements to improve the user experience (printing and saving analysis for future reference).Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	12/09/18