Photo: NVE
The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has carried out a comprehensive modernization of its hydrometric monitoring network. The upgrade was driven in part by the phase-out of 2G technology and the need for more energy-efficient and future-ready field solutions.
As part of this initiative, Scanmatic has acted as a supplier through a long-term framework agreement, where the battery-powered IoT datalogger SMIoT (SM5038) has been deployed across a large number of stations. The latest generation of the logger has been further developed in close cooperation with NVE, incorporating features particularly suited for hydrological measurements and very low operating costs.
One station per working day
The project, internally referred to as Project TORDEN (Total Upgrade of the Monitoring Network), had an ambitious goal:
One upgraded field station per working day.
At the start of the project, NVE had around 450 monitoring stations based on 2G communication. These have now largely been replaced with modern solutions supporting LTE-M, NB-IoT and Iridium.
The upgrade has provided:
- More frequent data updates
- Lower power consumption
- Improved operational reliability in demanding environments
- Future-ready communication
SMIoT for energy-efficient field stations
At around 150 stations requiring simple battery-powered solutions, NVE selected Scanmatic’s SMIoT (SM5038), while the remaining approximately 300 stations were upgraded with OTT Sutron XLink with built-in LTE-M or Iridium modem. Both logger platforms are designed for operation in demanding outdoor environments and are well suited for hydrological monitoring applications.
The latest generation of SMIoT features an updated physical design that makes the logger highly flexible and easy to install in the field – even where discreet placement is required.
Key features of Scanmatic SMIoT (SM5038):
- Waterproof and rugged enclosure
- Extremely low power consumption
- Integrated barometer
- NB-IoT communication
- Support for Modbus and SDI-12 sensors
- Flexible analog inputs and PT100
The solution enables cost-effective stations with long battery lifetime.
Strong operational experience from the field
NVE now has significant operational experience with the systems, and functionality related to remote configuration has proven particularly valuable in a large and geographically distributed monitoring network.
“The new physical design has made the logger very practical and easy to install – even discreetly. We are particularly pleased with the remote configuration solution and the functionality of H2Config. Two-way synchronization of configuration makes the operation of 150 SMIoTs significantly easier. Together with our new enclosure, the SMIoT has become a very good solution,” says Knut Møen, Chief Engineer at NVE’s Hydrological Department.
At the same time, the OTT Sutron XLink has proven to be a highly flexible and robust logger platform for more advanced monitoring stations, supporting multiple communication technologies and efficient power consumption.
Standardization and reuse saved time and environmental impact
An important principle in the NVE-2023 concept has been a high degree of standardization combined with flexibility. The systems are modular and produced in-house for rapid delivery.
The project has also placed strong emphasis on reusing existing components, including:
- Regulators
- Batteries
- Solar panels
- Enclosures
- Sensors
This has helped reduce both costs and environmental footprint.
Ready for the future of hydrometry
The modernization demonstrates how modern IoT technology enables frequent measurements with very low power consumption — even at demanding locations far north, in deep valleys and during cold winter conditions.
For Scanmatic, the delivery confirms the strength of the company’s modular platform and its ability to deliver robust systems for critical monitoring infrastructure.
Want to learn more about SMIoT (SM5038) or NB-IoT upgrades?
Contact Scanmatic for an informal discussion.
