Automatic Meter Reading Selecting the Technology AI? TWACS? Wireless? BPL? Fiber? IR? TCP/IP? Internet? Intranet? PLC? Archnet? Hunt? RS232? RJ11? Maxstream? MasterMeter? RF? FireFly? WiFI? SpreadSprectrum? SilverSpring? Cellnet? Nexus? Turtle? Dave Hallquist Vermont Electric Cooperative

Why Do AMR? Billing and Meter Reading Benefits Reduce Meter Read Costs Reduce Error Eliminate Entry Liability Eliminate Member Complaints about Meter Readers Improve Billing Flexibility Improve Financial Predictability Reduce HR issues

Other AMR Benefits Carefully select the technology, there is more to AMR than reading meters.

Rates Rate Setting has been more of an art than a science AMR allows detailed analysis of peak demands – critical to setting rate structures by class Reduces the tension between residential commercial and industrial As Vermont Public Interest Research Group has charged “The poor residential ratepayers are subsidizing big business!”

System Planning System load studies often use gross assumptions (i.e. – 1.1kw/home). This can result in substantial errors as VEC has found certain substation residential home loads are significantly higher, while others are significantly lower Unusual spot load growth have caught utilities by surprise R-T AMR provides the local data to significantly improve the accuracy of system planning

Load Control Many systems provide optional load control packages R-T AMR enables verification of load control R-T AMR enables significant flexibility in load control By using a greater number of shorter off times, member satisfaction with load control programs is markedly improved

Phase Balancing Phase loading is typically done once in a lifetime on many systems Retro versus pro-active AMR shows what phase each meter is on Results: Better system balancing Improved transformer efficiency Greater safety for line personnel

Voltage Profiles R-T AMR allows flexibility in time buckets for analyzing member issues Accurate voltage analysis' can identify connectivity issues Improved member satisfaction (implicit versus explicit needs) Identify voltage sag issues I-D neutral problems early to prevent member equipment failure (burn out resulting from excessive voltage)

Voltage Profile

Load Profile R-T AMR allows flexibility in time periods for profiles Good for managing high bill complaints Commercial and Industrials can use system to reduce peak demand charges

Load Profile

Transformer Sizing AMR transformer studies reveal sizing issues Prevents transformer failures due to members’ lack of planning Correct transformer sizing reduces line loss cost Elimination of electric heat left many transformers oversized

Load Profile for Transformer

Distribution Automation R-T AMR infrastructure can often be used for SCADA Many companies have interfaces for SCADA equipment AMR communications is lower cost than dedicated (fiber, copper, radio)

Outage Restoration R-T AMR is a very powerful tool when combined with an Outage Management System (OMS) and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system Predictive feature of OMS eliminates need for ticket sorting IVR reduces call volume by 80% with significant improvements in member satisfaction Combined with Map Presentation program (Mapview, Arcview) provides dispatch with visual outage tracking Eliminates need to call member to verify outage has been restored

Connect and Disconnect R-T AMR allows for “soft” disconnect without additional infrastructure Great for move in / move out Disconnect devices available for many product platforms Devices are plug-in; underneath the meter Allows for disconnect from the office

Load Control Device Mounted to control a Water Heater and an Air-Conditioner at a Florida Power and Light (FPL) Customer’s Home Load Control at Florida Power and Light (FPL)

Billing Significantly improves billing predictability Eliminates ties to read schedules that are based on meter routes Reduces outstanding receivables by reducing billing lead-time Virtually eliminates mis-reads and requisite member revisits Allows for industrials/commercials to close monthly books earlier

Time of Use (TOU) Billing R-T AMR simplifies TOU reading and billing process Allows for multiple TOU rates Load shifting a good strategy for reduction of system coincident peaks thus reducing power supply cost Allows for tailored incentive programs Many utilities have reduced system peak by 10%

Customer Service No longer tell member to “check the meter” Find out about outage before member calls No need to call member to verify restoration With IVR and OMS, member can get outage status anytime Turn Customer Service Reps into usage experts through usage profile Make the moving process easy for your members Minimize the ‘hand-offs’ to improve the member experience

Potential R-T AMR Savings

VEC ROI Analysis

VEC’s Choice DCSI TWACS for all but the largest users Electro-Industries Nexus for Large users (>500kw) and substations Why TWACS? DCSI had significant experience and a variety of options Very good references Outage Monitoring and Reporting Ability to ‘ping’ on demand Integrates with many CIS and Billing Systems including NISC

Why Nexus? Built-in web server Dual ports for maximum security On-demand usage, billing, history Transient Recording Record up to 512 Samples per Cycle Peak Voltage Surge and Sag Recording EN Flicker Analysis Interharmonic Recording Fault Recording and Analysis Harmonic Analysis to 255th Order DNP 3.0 and Modbus capability VEC’s Choice (con’t)

What Worked Organization was committed Four years of discussion created a high level of desire from everyone Board of Directors was involved in these long-ranging discussions Detailed project planning Microsoft project used to identify every action item Weekly status/action meetings for six months prior to commissioning Project Manager and CFO co-own project Operations really wanted AMR TWACS a great product - Commissioning was highly successful and exceeded all expectations