Advanced Metering

Infrastructure (AMI) & Meter

Data Management (MDM)
Overview
What is AMI?
Evolution of AMI
What is MDM?
Drivers of MDM
Smart meters
Energy NOCs
AMI Defined
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) are
systems that measure, collect, and analyze
energy usage, and communicate with metering
devices such as electricity meters, gas meters,
heat meters, and water meters, either on request
or on a schedule.
These systems include hardware, software,
communications, consumer energy displays and
controllers, customer associated systems, Meter
Data Management (MDM) software, and
supplier business systems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_meter#Advanced_metering_infrastructure
4
AMI refers to the
full measurement,
collection and
processing of
meter and other
customer data

AMI includes
smart meters
installed at each
premise, a two
way
communications
network, and data
management
systems

AMI enables more
granular
measurement of
consumption, the
matching of
consumption to
price signals and
more frequent
transmittal of
consumption data

AMI enables a
partnership
between PHI and
their customers to
help customers
make better
energy decisions
AMI Overview
AMI is a key component of a Smart Grid
MDM Defined
Meter data management (MDM) refers to a key
component in the Smart Grid infrastructure that is in the
process of being evolved and adopted by utility
companies.
An MDM system performs long term data storage and
management for the vast quantities of data delivered by
smart metering systems.
This data consists primarily of usage data and events
that are imported from the head end servers that manage
the data collection in Advanced metering infrastructure
(AMI) or Automatic meter reading (AMR) systems.
An MDM system will typically import the data, then
validate, cleanse and process it before making it available
for billing and analysis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meter_data_management
AMR - Automatic
Meter Reading
AMI Advanced Metering
Infrastructure
AGI Advanced Grid
Infrastructure
Benefits
Revenue mgmt.
Reduced intrusion
Circa 1985
Circa 2000 Circa 2007
Typical Functionality
Monthly
kWh
readings
Daily kWh
readings
Disconnect /
reconnect
On-demand
reads
Outage
management
support
Load
control
Limited
hourly data
Expanded
hourly data
Demand
Response
Downline
automation
Home area
network
interface
Technologies
Walk-by radio
Drive-by radio
Fixed radio
PLC 1 way
PLC 2 way
Fixed/Tower RF2 way
Star and mesh radio

Customer service
Outage restoration
Asset management

Enhanced customer svc.
Outage identification
System planning
Reduced losses

Demand response
Feeder automation
Web applications

?
Evolution of Advanced Metering
Planning
CIS
GIS
OMS
WFM
AVL
Asset Mgmt
Others
AMI
SCADA
Crew
Dispatch
Generation
& load
dispatch
Others
Data
Acquisition
and Control
Data
Management
Engine(s)
Integration
Bus
Applications
Wide Area Network Strategies
Backhaul / bulk
Medium to broadband
Data, video, voice
Public and private
RF, fiber, satellite
Local Area Network Strategies
Last Mile and AMI
systems
Low to Medium band
RF and PLC
Home Area Networks
Emerging technologies
Zigbee, Insteon, Z-Wave,
6LoWPAN, etc
Home
automation &
generation
Meters
Down-line automation
& asset management
Crew Mgmt.
Substations
Smart Grid Component Infrastructure
MDM over WAN using SOA
Energy ICT - http://www.energyict.com/
AMI Networks
The network between the measurement devices
and business systems allows collection and
distribution of information to customers, suppliers,
utility companies, and service providers.
This enables these businesses to participate in
demand response services.
Consumers can use information provided by the
system to change their normal consumption
patterns to take advantage of lower prices.
Pricing can be used to curb growth of peak
consumption.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_line_communication
Core AMI Technology PLC RF Mesh RF Tower Digital Cellular WiMAX / WiFi
Vendors
Aclara
Cooper
L+G
Cooper
Elster
Itron
Landis+Gyr
SilverSpring
Tantalus
(hybrid)
Trilliant
Sensus
Aclara
SmartSynch
Consert
Other start-ups
SkyTeq
Other start-ups
Optimal deployment
scenarios
Rapid, system
wide
Rapid, system
wide
Rapid, system
wide
Targeted
Trial system (in 2
3 years)
Communications status Power-Line Unlicensed Licensed Public Public
Maturity of systems High Moderate Moderate Very Low Very Low
Capital cost of
Infrastructure : annual
operating expense
Medium : Low Medium : Low Medium : Low Low : High High : Medium
Data throughput Low to moderate Moderate to high Moderate to high Moderate to high Very High
Ability to serve customer
based SmartGrid
applications
Low to medium Medium to high Medium to high Medium to high High
Ability to serve SmartGrid
applications
Medium High High Low High
AMI Technology Comparison
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)
Automatic meter reading, or AMR, is the technology of
automatically collecting consumption, diagnostic, and status
data from water meter or energy metering devices (gas,
electric) and transferring that data to a central database for
billing, troubleshooting, and analyzing.
This technology mainly saves utility providers the expense of
periodic trips to each physical location to read a meter.
Another advantage is that billing can be based on near real-
time consumption rather than on estimates based on past or
predicted consumption.
This timely information coupled with analysis can help both
utility providers and customers better control the use and
production of electric energy, gas usage, or water
consumption.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_meter_reading
Meter Data Analytics
Meter Data Analytics refers to the analysis of
data from electric smart meters that record
consumption of electric energy.
Replacement of traditional scalar meters with
smart meters is a growing trend primarily in North
America and Europe.
These smart meters send usage data to the
central head end systems as often as every
minute from each meter whether installed at a
residential or a commercial or an industrial
customer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meter_data_analytics
Meter Data Analytics Firms
1) Oracle Utilities Meter Data Analytics Provides an efficient mechanism to
extract high volume smart meter data out of meter data management systems in
order to analyze the data without affecting the transactional system. It also
provides comprehensive list of high level and detailed dashboards for usage
patterns, head end system performance, meter installs, theft detection, VEE
exception analysis, and tamper event analysis.

2) eMeter Analytics Foundation Covers AMI health, outage and event analysis
and load monitoring.

3) DataRaker Operates on a SaaS model to provide analytics based on utilities
data.

According to Smart Grid Update
[1]
currently data that is required for complete
meter data analytics solution does not reside in the same database, instead,
resides in disparate databases among various departments of utility companies.
Another challenges is that Meter Data Analytics need to deal with big data problem.
Many utility companies do not have infrastructure to support such needs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meter_data_analytics
Power Line Communication
Power line communication (PLC) is a
system for carrying data on a conductor
that is also used for electric power
transmission.
It is also known as power line carrier,
power line digital subscriber line
(PDSL), mains communication, power
line telecom (PLT), power line
networking (PLN), and broadband over
power lines (BPL).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_line_communication
Corporate Network
AMI Server
MDM Server
Other Servers
Substation 1
Substation 2
Circuit 1
Circuit 2
Circuit 2
Circuit 1
Wide Area Network
Or Direct Backhaul

WAN communications from office to
substations via radio, fiber, or satellite

LAN communications from substations to
meters uses utility power lines

PLC-based AMI
Power Line Communication
A wide range of power line communication technologies are
needed for different applications, ranging from home
automation to Internet access.
Electrical power is transmitted over long distances using high
voltage transmission lines, distributed over medium voltages,
and used inside buildings at lower voltages.
Most PLC technologies limit themselves to one set of wires
(such as premises wiring within a single building), but some
can cross between two levels (for example, both the
distribution network and premises wiring).
Typically transformers prevent propagating the signal, which
requires multiple technologies to form very large networks.
Various data rates and frequencies are used in different
situations.
Power Line Communication
http://withfriendship.com/user/mithunss/power-line-communication.php
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
Three PLC-based AMI systems are offered:
Aclara (TWACS), Cooper (Cannon), L+G (Hunt)
Power-line-carrier AMI Systems
The PLC network has fault tolerance, message prioritization and flexibility built-in,
providing a robust two-way network which provides communications to Advanced
Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Demand Response (DR), and DA applications. This
network enables scheduled meter data collection, real time on demand reads in 3-6
seconds, and broadcast capabilities that allow load sheds in less than 2 seconds, the
fastest DR network available. The PLC network is well-suited to rural areas and
provides a reliable, cost-effective solution to connect a utility to its customers at the
reaches of its service territory regardless of meter density, terrain, or foliage
conditions. The AMI modules have superior onboard intelligence and substantial
memory allowing for the most advanced feature-set in the industry, even when using
the simplest of electronic meters. All AMI parameters are configurable via the
network and are consistent with feature-sets offered in Cooper Power
Systems higher-density AMI solution allowing utilities to offer a consistent level of
service to all its customers.
http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/power_systems/products/automation_and_control/amr_ami/power_line_carrier_control.htm
l
Common types of wireless systems
Mesh unlicensed
Cooper
Elster
Itron
Landis + Gyr
Silver Spring
Tantalus
Trilliant
Tower licensed
Aclara
Sensus
Digital Cellular public
SmartSynch (AT&T)
Fixed Broadband public
SkyTeq
Wireless AMI Systems
Substation 1
Substation 2
Wide Area Network
Corporate Network
AMI Server
MDM Server
Other Servers
WAN communications from office to collectors is
via public or private TCP/IP communications
LAN communications from collectors to meters
use a custom designed techniques which allow
meters to communicate through a dynamically
created shorter range unlicensed wireless mesh
(Hundreds of feet).
Increased number of collectors may increase
throughput and reduce latency.


RF Mesh AMI
Substation 1
Substation 2
Substation 3
Corporate Network
AMI Server
MDM Server
Other Servers
Wide Area Network
Or Direct Backhaul
WAN communications from office to substations via
radio, fiber, or satellite
LAN communications from towers to meters use
custom designed techniques which allow meters to
communicate to more than one tower using longer
range licensed wireless (Tens of miles).
Same network can support Distribution Automation
and other applications.
Towers may be added for improved coverage.


RF Tower AMI
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
Massively Redundant
Communications Paths
Substation 1
Substation 2
Corporate Network
AMI Server
MDM Server
Other Servers
Wide Area
Network Local
Area Network
using AT&T GPRS
All communications from office to meter is
made using publically available digital cell
carriers. There is no infrastructure cast but
there is a continuous expense for data
handling. All meters are IP-enabled. There
is no experience with handling distribution
automation applications.
RF Digital Cell AMI
AMI Server
MDM Server
Other Servers
Corporate Network
Substation 1
Meters interfaced via HAN
Large infrastructure costs
Deliver broadband internet service to
customers (possible revenue source?)
IP-enabled meters (currently limited
availability)
Water uses Orion system (today)

WIMAX/WiFi Network
Insteon
Residence

Residence

WiMAX/WiFi enabled
(Future)
WiMAX/WiFi
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
Head End
Servers
Displays LCM
Multi-Comm
PCT/G-way
H/W
HAN
SmartPoint
Gateway
Web
- HTTPS -
End-User Portal
Personal
Energy
Network
AMI
Solar
- Other Gateways -
PHEVs
DG / DS
Energy Mgt.
Future
Storage
+
_
3
rd
Party
Svcs
AMI Communications Path
HAN Systems Architecture
The evolution of Load Research Systems created in the 1970s to serve
commercial and industrial customers, wholesale interchange metering,
and PURPA.
A platform that enables fundamental changes in how utilities operate
using vast amounts of measured data and information
A centralized data management and data storage platform for existing data
and future data collected from AMI systems and new Smart Grid
technologies
A centralized integration point for integrating utility applications utilizing
web-services, Multi-Speak, ODBC, XML, etc.
Centralized data analysis and reporting of all operational data
A provider of Interval Data Validation, Editing and Estimation (VEE), Meter
Read Profiling, Load Research, Energy Settlement, Energy Data
Presentation, and Line Loss Analysis
A foundation for launching future customer programs including new
customer-premise devices (e.g., HAN, Smart Thermostats)
MDM is..
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
Traditional Monthly Billing AMR AMI
Virtual Meter Data
Status & PQ Data
Net Metering
Voltage Profiles
Hourly Load Values
Daily Load Values
Traditional Monthly Billing
In addition to all of this
data the MDM must
manage demographic
and asset labels
associated with each of
the meter points. AMI
cannot manage this and
it will be difficult for CIS
systems to add this
functionality.
The case for Meter Data Management
(MDM)
Multiple
data
sources
Accurate
and timely
data
Secure
data
storage
Create and
disseminate
information
AMI
Manual
Readings
SCADA
OMS
MWF
Other
Validating, Editing
and Estimating
(for hourly data)
Standards and
rules for service
order creation
Proactive
assurance of data
availability
Audit trail
Securely manages
1,000 times more
data/meter than CIS or
AMI systems can.
Tags for weather,
demographic and other
operational
characteristics
Manage and access
non-traditional meter
data, e.g., PQ, volts,
etc.

Interface to billing systems
Interface for Customer
Service Reps
Create TOU billing
summaries
Provide summary data
Support operation &
planning needs
Platform for customer web
presentment

Need for MDM
SIEMENS
MDM Vendors
Advanced Metering and
Meter Data Management
An advanced meter (a collection of which
is known as an Advanced Meter
Infrastructure, or AMI) is an electronic meter
that can be read and controlled remotely.
In the figure on the right, we show how an
AMI network could be organized.
The network is divided into three main
domains that are connected via Field-Area-
Network (FAN) and potentially Wide-Area-
Network (WAN) links.
The first domain houses the Meter Data
Management Service (MDMS) and its
associated applications, such as those for
analyzing metering data.
The second domain comprises the metered
premises, which may have mesh network
connections between themselves to extend
the overall reach of the metering network.
Each of these premises may also be
equipped with a Home-Area Network (HAN)
containing consumer devices that utilize
meter data or services.
For example, Programmable Communicating
Thermostats (PCTs) or Building Automation
Systems (BASs) are commonly envisioned as
being connected to the HAN and are
labeled with the generic term unified hub
in the figure.
http://seclab.illinois.edu/ami-security
Significant imbalances between electricity
supply and demand can destabilize the grid or
cause severe voltage fluctuations and
failures. Demand response, the reduction of
electric demand from the grid, can relieve
system stress and help prevent blackouts and
brownouts. Demand response played an
active role in managing energy events in
various parts of the United States during the
summer of 2006. Aggregating demand
response efforts across a region has
historically been a time-consuming and labor-
intensive process. EnerNOC uses its Network
Operations Center (NOC), in Boston, MA to
remotely manage electricity consumption
across a network of end-use customer sites
and make energy available to grid operators
and utilities on demand. Echelon's i.LON
Internet Server, when installed at commercial,
institutional, and industrial customer sites, can
enhance EnerNOC's technology by enabling
a direct wireless connection from the NOC to
building and energy management systems.

AMI Network Integration
with Demand Response (DR)
https://www.echelon.com/company/news-room/2007/enernoc.htm
Utilities and Substations
NRTC Electric Regional Business Managers
Summary
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) are
systems that measure, collect, and analyze
energy usage, and communicate with metering
devices such as electricity meters, gas meters,
heat meters, and water meters, either on request
or on a schedule. These systems include
hardware, software, communications, consumer
energy displays and controllers, customer
associated systems, Meter Data Management
(MDM) software, and supplier business systems.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_meter
www.ferc.gov
http://www.eei.org/ourissues/electricitydistri
bution/Pages/AdvancedMetering.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meter_data_ma
nagement

Vocabulary Checklist
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Meter Data Management (MDM)
Meter Data Analytics (MDA)
Smart Meter
HAN Home Area Network
WAN Wide Area Network
ZigBee Protocol
NETL - Whitepaper
What is AMI?
What are the technology options for AMI?
What are some deployment approaches?
What are the benefits of AMI?
What policies apply to AMI?
What barriers impact successful deployment of
AMI?
What are the business case considerations?
What are some experiences with AMI to date?
WAMS
WAMSs integrate pervasive sensor networks,
advanced data processing tools, and wide-
area communication systems.
They aim at enhancing the conventional
functions of existing supervisory control and
data acquisition systems by enabling real-time
wide-area situational awareness
WAMS
This is obtained by acquiring and processing
synchronized measure- ments aimed at classifying
the current SG operation state and detecting
incipient faults
To this aim, WAMSs require re- liable and accurate
phasor and frequency measurements from a proper
number of power system buses.
This can be obtained by deploying a network of
time-synchronized PMUs aimed at measuring the
voltage phasor (magnitude and phase) at the
installed buses and the current phasors in all
branches incident to these buses
WAMS
This phasor information is collected by the
PMUs, forwarded to the phasor data
concentrators,and transmitted to the
monitoring center
These applications depend by the number
and locations of the PMUs and in particular,
if a limited number of PMUs are
available, WAMS data processing can only
partially describe the SG operation state;
WAMS
in this case, the typical applications include:
Voltage stability monitoring for transmission corridors
and
exible AC transmission systems (FACTS) control using
feedback from remote PMU measurements
on the contrary, more advanced applications based on a
detailed network model view can be implemented
including: loadability calculation based on OPF studies,
topology detection and state estimation, distribution
circuits network management, system restoration and
smart restoration tools and
advance warning systems of impending trouble.

WAMPACS
These applications allow the WAMSs to evolve
toward the so called wide-area measurements
protective and control systems (WAMPACSs).