Grid Modernization and AMI
Grid Modernization and AMI
Do you need an advanced infrastructure just for metering or for the entire distribution grid?
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) has greatly improved the quantity and value of information provided by meters. In addition to electrical revenue metering to support the meter to cash process, modern smart meters provide additional information such as bi-directional metering needed for residential renewables, interval energy consumption to customer portals to allow consumer monitoring, prepay options to reduce barriers to electric service, and voltage monitoring for system analysis. AMI-equipped water meters enable remote meter reading, but also provide leak detection to consumers and loss analysis to utilities. While AMI systems have provided a major step forward over earlier manual or drive by meter read processes, AMI is typically not fully utilized for additional applications on the distribution grid.
The electric utility industry is actively working on: (i) improving grid reliability and resilience to address severe weather impacts, (ii) increasing deployment of renewable generation to meet clean energy targets, and (iii) enabling the adoption of transportation electrification on the distribution grid. Key to support the deployment of new solutions to meet these challenges is the use of a communications network across the distribution grid. However, most AMI systems today are still providing primarily metering functionality.
“A Grid Modernization plan is critical to appropriately select an order of utility investments to maximize operation benefits and improve customer experience in a planned manner.?An AMI system is a key component of our Grid Modernization strategy. We not only want to provide smart meter capabilities to our customers, but fully leverage the AMI system capabilities for other applications as well.”-?Joe Bunch General Manager and CEO, Utilities Commission, City of New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Most engineers involved with protection, control, or SCADA applications are used to dedicated high-speed communications networks such as fiber. While fiber is an optimal example of a communications medium, it is not practical for all applications. AMI systems offer two-way communications that can be used to support a wide variety of applications. It is important for engineers to understand the capabilities of the AMI system and how to leverage the system to support the applications. In order to do this, it is important to have use cases and applications such as system model support, feeder restoration schemes, or electric-vehicle monitoring defined beforehand. Rather than discussing deployments of AMI 2.0 or next generation AMI, the conversation needs to shift to an Advanced Grid Infrastructure (AGI) that supports not only metering but also other advanced grid applications.
“The distribution grid will face many new challenges over the next 10 to 20 years.?As the utilities needs evolve, it is important to look at how the ubiquitous communications provided by an AMI system can be leveraged to support new advanced grid applications – providing an Advanced Grid Infrastructure (AGI).?Planning, testing, and stakeholder engagement are required to ?make that a reality.”- David Hart Vice President, Quanta Technology, LLC
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While most utilities specify metering functions and perform site acceptance tests for the meter integration, use of the AMI system for other network applications is typically an afterthought. In order to fully leverage the AMI system, it is important that the advanced grid applications also be specified and included as part of the acceptance testing process. This is not only critical for system verification, but also to engage stakeholders from other departments at the utility to understand the system’s implications.
An experienced utility consultant works with you to ensure that your strategic goals are incorporated into your RFPs and that your investment is maximized by considering additional benefits. Most importantly, they will work with you to gain a complete understanding of all your needs across people, processes, end-customer engagement, and technology considering the following items critical to success:
For more than 15 years, Quanta Technology has provided experienced consulting services to utilities throughout the United States and worldwide. For more information, please contact Quanta Technology at [email protected]