Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): Smart Energy

In today's constantly evolving energy market, utilities face the challenge of maximizing the efficiency and quality of the services they provide while at the same time minimizing costs. Advances in automatic meter reading (AMR) technology have helped utilities overcome the problems of collection and analysis of meter data, but AMR is only part of the solution. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) refers to the next generation of meter reading technologies. AMI systems make use of the latest communication technologies, reduce operational costs, and can enable up-to-date business processes by using two-way communication. An AMI system can provide outage detection, remote connect/disconnect capabilities, on-demand real time reads, tamper detection, and most importantly, revenue-grade hourly or shorter interval energy readings that can be used for market-based rates or demand-response programs.

AMI: an Overview

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is an "intelligent" technology that includes metering systems capable of recording and reporting energy consumption and other measurements at more frequent intervals than the customer's billing cycle (generally monthly). AMI may include several different components: "smart" meters, communications technology like cellular, automated meter reading systems, and data warehouses. It provides utility companies with unprecedented system management capabilities, while giving consumers the ability to make informed choices about energy usage based on the price at the time of use.

AMI systems provide energy usage information to customers, utilities and other parties, and help all users participate in Demand Response programs, which in turn help realize greater cost efficiencies in energy consumption on both ends of the grid. The benefits of implementing AMI are numerous and, depending on the size of a utility grid, may include:

Improved Network Reliability & System Responsiveness:
- Real time monitoring of the distribution network allows for earlier outage detection;
- Enhanced ability to locate where an outage has occurred allowing a utility to dispatch repair crews directly to the location;
- Improved verification of customer service restoration; and
- Better control of activity over the distribution systems.
Meter Functionality:
- Deployment of "smart" meter (AMR) technology reduces costs associated with traditional manual meter reading and customer billing;
- Improved accuracy of billing information due to reducing the number of estimated and erroneous meter readings; and
- AMR technology coupled with cellular networks provides two-way communication, allowing scheduled reads, demand reads, alarm and event reporting, power outage reporting, and power restoration reporting.
Economic & Environmental Efficiency
- Financial benefits are realized by both the consumer and the utility from reduced equipment and associated maintenance costs, reduced support expenses, faster restoration and shorter outages, and improved inventory management;
- With fewer repair trucks out in the field, annual vehicle emissions are substantially reduced; and
- The energy conservation aspects of an AMI deployment, according to a study done by utilities in the state of New York, can have substantial environmental and social benefits. Each 100 MW (megawatts) of reduced usage could lower carbon emissions by over 500,000 tons per year in New York State alone, a reduction equivalent to taking 71,000 cars off the road.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the utility is likely to see a general improvement in customer satisfaction due to the ability to provide customers with better information concerning usage and cost patterns.

Current and Future uses of AMI

Current applications of the AMI technology mentioned above are in the planning and deployment stages at several utilities, however, AMI and the concept of distribution and monitoring through a technologically advanced "Smart-Grid" has taken hold within the industry. While utilities have never been the earliest adopters of new technology, insiders know that company viability in the 21st century will depend heavily on the quality and reliability of the services they provide; and that viability looks poised to rely largely on the timely deployment and utilization of Advanced Metering Infrastructure technology. Readily deployed over wireless networks, advanced metering technology will work with today's energy sources (gas, water, electricity) while providing the answers for management and conservation of tomorrows renewable energy grids. Through the use of AMI, development and management of new power markets globally promises both a brighter and greener future for everyone involved in the energy equation.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Smart Energy

AMI: an Overview

Current and Future uses of AMI