Presented by : Timothy R. Crabb, P.E.

May 22, 2014

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

DEFINITIONS

SMART METER: A meter that records consumption in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes.

AMR: Automatic Meter Reading (1980’s)

AMI: Advanced Metering Infrastructure (2005)

AMS: Advanced Metering System (2008)

MDMS and Utility Wide Area Network•This area is defined by what the system is required to do.•Functionality defines metering requirements.•Can be owned or hosted.•Additional FTE’s might be required.

Communications Network and Metering•Several types of communication systems.•Communicate with meters and possibly other devices.•System can be owned or leased.•Require additional FTE’s for operating and maintaining system.•Meter spec’s need to meet data and communication needs.

Metering and HAN (Home Area Network)•Most AMI meters have HAN gateway.•Customer and Utility control of load requires additional equipment•Market has yet to determine if control will be through Utility or Internet• Example: Google bought out Nest for $3.2 Billion

AMI ADVANTAGES

Web portal information for customer on usageOMS outage information for storms and outagesDetermining of outage is on customer side of meterAccess to study data (15 minute interval data)HAN capabilities (extra cost)Load reduction capabilities (extra cost)Possible “time of use rates” in the future Meter tampering/damage informationInformation to determine customer water leaksEliminates issues on access to meters for readingBilling cycles that match customer needsPossibility of “pre-pay” rate for customersAutomatic disconnects and reconnects

Delinquent accountsStudents

AMI “CHALLENGES”

Some customers still have privacy concernsCustomer benefit will vary greatlyCyber SecurityLife Expectancy (technology)Additional technical FTE’s to maintain systemQuantity of DataCosts

COSTIOU’s have put charges in place to take care of cost (Electric only)

Surcharge of $2.21 to $3.40 per monthCharges will be in place for next 11 years

Estimated cost for Electric would be about $8.5M to $9.5M($210 to $240/meter)

Estimated cost for Water would be about $6.5M to $7.5M (32K meters)

Life expectancy on Electric meters is 8 to 15 years

Life expectancy on Water meters is 15 to 20 years

UTILITIES RECOMMENDATION

Continue to monitor the technology advances of AMI systems. Utilize the City’s budget process to set the priorities for AMI and other proposed capital projects.

Questions?