The problem
The existing sub-metering consisted of one outdated three-phase check meter with mechanical wheels, making power consumption tracking inefficient. The property owner had to manage the invoice from the existing energy retailer and pass it to individual tenants, who then had to estimate and pay back their share. The owner needed a way to bill sub-tenants fairly while maintaining control over power distribution without relying on existing infrastructure. Remote meter reading and automated billing were required to simplify operations.
What we did
Installation of smart power meters: outdated analogue meters were replaced with modern single-phase and three-phase smart sub-meters, with each sub-board receiving a dedicated smart meter. LoRaWAN gateway integration and alternative comms: a single LoRaWAN gateway collects data wirelessly from all smart meters; for locations needing only one or two sub-meters, an alternative communication unit operates over the One NZ (a New Zealand mobile carrier) cellular network, removing the need for a gateway and reducing setup costs per building; Smart Metering also provides electrical interface boxes for metering and invoicing third-party radio equipment at cell sites. Automated billing and data access: the whole-building energy provider account was transferred to Smart Metering; the cloud platform, developed with input from leading property managers, provides individual monthly invoicing for each tenant based on actual consumption, an online portal for tenants, a data-only option for clients who need consumption tracking without invoicing, and export to Excel or PDF or integration with billing systems via API. Smart Metering worked directly with the property owner and building manager, including obtaining a final reading from the previous meter before go-live, and designed the solution for scalability as tenants change.
The outcome
The burden on property owners and managers is eliminated: Smart Metering handles everything from paying the retail energy provider to invoicing tenants directly. Accuracy and efficiency increased, with manual meter readings and billing discrepancies eliminated and full control over energy distribution and cost allocation. Tenant experience improved through transparent usage-based billing and real-time consumption data. The LoRaWAN-based system ensures long-term reliability without dependency on third-party internet connections, and the model is now a scalable solution deployable across other commercial properties.