Gas consumption monitoring using LoRaWAN
IoTS Node Cabinet reads data from compatible gas meters via Modbus RTU over RS-485 or a pulse input and transmits it over LoRaWAN — locally to ITS Edge Cabinet or centrally to ITS Cloud.
Four reasons to choose this solution
Two connection methods
An RS-485 port for Modbus RTU or a digital input for pulse counting makes it possible to match the reading method to the interface of a specific gas meter.
Remote readings without site visits
Data is transmitted periodically over LoRaWAN, without manually recording every meter reading on site.
Multiple points in one system
A Node Cabinet configuration can support several I/O inputs and Modbus devices; the exact number of points is determined for each project.
Flexible deployment
Readings can remain local in ITS Edge Cabinet or be consolidated from multiple facilities in ITS Cloud.
What the solution includes
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IoTS Node Cabinet — I/O model
A field cabinet with an RS-485 port, digital inputs and LoRaWAN backhaul. It reads Modbus RTU registers or counts pulses from a compatible gas meter output.
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LoRaWAN gateway or gateways
They receive transmissions from Node Cabinets and forward the data over an IP connection to a local or central ITS instance.
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ITS Edge Cabinet — base version (model 1)View model →
A local ITS instance for storing, aggregating and presenting data within a building or facility, including operation without public internet access.
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ITS Cloud (model 2)Discover ITS →
A dedicated online instance that consolidates readings from multiple buildings or locations in one environment.
The connection method depends on the gas meter model, available interface and pulse value. An existing meter can be used in many installations, but compatibility must be confirmed first.
How it works — two deployment models
The same Node Cabinet I/O model and the same LoRaWAN layer are used — only the ITS platform location and the gateway IP connection change.
IoTS Node Cabinet reads gas meter data via Modbus RTU over RS-485 or a pulse input and sends it over LoRaWAN to a gateway on site. The gateway forwards the data over Ethernet to the base version of ITS Edge Cabinet. Consumption history, reports and dashboards are available locally, and the system can operate without public internet access.
IoTS Node Cabinet collects gas meter data and sends it over LoRaWAN to a gateway. The gateway forwards readings to ITS Cloud over an available IP connection, such as LTE or Ethernet, depending on the selected device and infrastructure. Data from multiple facilities can be delivered to one platform instance.
| Point | Connection | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler room A | Modbus RTU | online |
| Boiler room B | Modbus RTU | online |
| Building C | pulse input | online |
| Building D | pulse input | online |
Example Grafana dashboard showing total gas consumption, the recent trend and the status of every measurement point. The scope and update frequency are tailored to the project.
Where it works best
Boiler rooms and heating substations
Ongoing gas consumption monitoring in installations serving individual buildings or entire complexes.
Multi-family buildings
Remote reading of compatible gas meters without manual inspection rounds.
Industrial plants
Monitoring gas consumption in production processes and comparing trends between lines or periods.
Commercial facilities
Monitoring gas consumption for heating and technological processes in commercial facilities.
Property managers
One gas consumption dashboard for multiple managed buildings, addresses or locations.
Agriculture and greenhouses
Regular gas consumption readings from heating systems in greenhouses and agricultural facilities.
Consumption data without manual readings
- Manual gas meter readings and site visits
- Readings usually taken once a month or quarter
- No current visibility between readings
- Risk of errors during manual transcription
- Delayed detection of unusual consumption increases
- Periodic transmission of readings over LoRaWAN
- Regular data according to the project configuration
- Current view and consumption history in ITS
- Digital values without manual transcription
- Deviations visible in dashboards and reports
ITS is the starting point, not the endpoint
Gas consumption readings, aggregates and point statuses can remain in the ITS dashboard or, depending on the deployment scope, be forwarded to reporting systems, databases and tools already used by the organisation.
The diagram shows example ITS platform integration paths. The specific protocol, data scope and exchange frequency are defined separately for each deployment.
Access to dashboards and configuration can be granted according to the user role.
Deployments requiring remote connectivity can use the built-in VPN server.
Data can remain in Edge Cabinet or be consolidated from multiple facilities in ITS Cloud.
Describe the gas meters and the facility.
For an initial discussion, the gas meter model or a photo of its nameplate, information about a pulse output or RS-485, the number of points and the expected reading frequency are sufficient.