SWEMA Meter Communications 060605

Slide1: 

SWEMA Spring Meeting 2005 Matt Monroe Program Manager ADI Systems Landis+Gyr Inc

Today’s discussion: 

Today’s discussion What is advanced metering The California experience The utility solution set The competing technologies

What is an Advanced Meter?: 

What is an Advanced Meter? General Questions Demand – TOU - IDR How finely cut does the data need to be? How often does it need to be reported? California AMI – Advance Metering Infrastructure AMI refers to a fixed network AMR system capable of supporting dynamic pricing. Ontario Similar to California where time is critical – CPP Texas?

Where are the Smarts Located?: 

Where are the Smarts Located? The metrology Four Quadrant TOU IDR meter at every house? Distributed computation not cost effective Local backup, Local display Battery backup? where do we synch? The module Makes up for lack of functionality of meters Drives up cost for supporting multiple vendors The concentrator Limited bandwidth of LAN may not allow this Too much responsibility for such a weak link The host Limited bandwidth in WAN may prevent this No local calculation and limited local display is possible

Slide5: 

“The goal is to match your communication network technology choice with your business needs.”

The California experienceWhen is demand response critical: 

The California experience When is demand response critical High Rates High variability in loads during the day – peaks and valleys High variability in cost of generation during the day Fuel, Generation Shortage Transmission constraints Potential rolling blackouts PUC supports it Neighboring utilities that have these issues PG&E wants to deploy today – announced automation of 5 million electric meters SDG&E wants to move SCE somewhat being pushed along by the PUC and they feel a new design of meter/system is necessary.

Slide7: 

Mission Statement Foster enhanced functionality, lower costs and rapid customer adoption of Advanced Metering networks and Demand Response solutions through the development of a recommended open, standards-based information/data model, reference design and interoperability guidelines Objectives Facilitate the broad adoption of advanced metering and demand response Define what 'open standards' means for advanced metering and demand response Diminish technical and functional risk concerns for utilities, regulators and rate-payers Empower consumers with tools to better understand and manage their energy use Foster industry innovation, efficiency and lower cost solutions Open Standards for Advanced Metering and Demand Response

What California wants to see in Advanced Metering : 

What California wants to see in Advanced Metering Two-way thru to the home Data at the meter for home apps but home interface does not need to go through the meter Time based recording at the meter in case back office is not available Communication module simply provides communication only. All data synchronized at meter All billing determinates at the meter Distributed capabilities in the system Multiple views on how enabling devices interact with meter TOU, IDR, ANSI 12.19 Network Synchs time in the meter Endpoints need to be powered during outage Data available every 6 hours PQ,V, Freq, demand on each leg Distributed Generation detection 4 quadrant, harmonics, kVA 35 days worth of data at meter Load control activation confirmation Two channel bidirectional power measurement IPSec implementation Can’t be a California only solution

Slide9: 

The scope for the project is based on providing low-cost, but highly DR functional real-time meters and pricing-responsive thermostats for a typical, low-end 1200 square foot, single-story, California house with two or three small bedrooms and a larger family living space, probably open to the kitchen.  Today, the existing meter is on an outside wall of the house, and there is likely to be an old-style, analog thermostat in the family living space.   The overall goals are:   1) to create a new DR thermostat that can respond to RTP, e.g., time-of-use (TOU) tariffs combined with dynamic tariffs such as, but not limited to, critical peak pricing (CPP),   2) to create a new, RTP, revenue-grade meter that can communicate with the thermostat and with the outside world, and   3) to leverage the communication and energy scavenging technologies into a common platform that supports both the thermostat and the meter, thereby minimizing cost.   The UCB team will build off research in five existing projects that have elements of the solutions. The five projects are: Pico Radio TinyOS Sensors Smart Dust Energy Scavenging

Back to the rest of the world: 

Back to the rest of the world Advanced AMR is MUCH more than just automating meters. AMR requires a systems approach. The weak link is almost always the communication link, NOT the meter. Different communication technologies were designed to support different business needs.

What are the business needs?: 

What are the business needs? What is being collected? Daily kWh Interval or TOU Demand What are collection requirements? All customer classes C+I only Residential, small business only When is the data required? All data by 8am day after, some portion in real time, etc. How diverse is territory? High Density - Urban Low Density – Rural, Mountain Varied

Network Choice Considerations: 

Network Choice Considerations When Choosing the “right” network consider: Technology stability Network availability Security Scalability Bandwidth requirements Coverage Cost of ownership

AMR Network Technology Choices: 

AMR Network Technology Choices Telephone Narrowband PLC Public Wireless (Paging, CDPD, GPRS) Private network wireless (licensed and non-licensed) Satellite Broadband Over Powerlines (BPL)

AMI Landscape: 

AMI Landscape TWO-WAY FIXED RF MESH: Cellnet-UtiliNet Rex, StatSignal, SilverSpring Tantalus, ETG RF: AMDS, Comverge, Metrum, Amron PLC: TWACS, Hunt TS2, Cannon VALUE - OUTLAY FUNCTIONALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE OPERATIONS COMMERCE VERTICAL/HORIZONTAL ONE-WAY FIXED Cellnet Hunt TS1 Hexagram, Itron DRIVE BY Cellnet Interleave, Itron (Hunt T300),Badger, Neptune, Sensus, Ramar HIGHEST LOWEST WALK BY

Slide15: 

Building Blocks of AMR Data Collection Network Electronic Interface AMR Host Electronic Interface To Utility Electronic Interface Applicable to all meter reading systems - from keyed entry using handhelds, to complex real-time fixed networks

The Complete Utility Solution : 

The Complete Utility Solution RF Endpoints Drive-by Hardware Public Backhaul Two-way Paging Digital Cellular UtiliNet,Internet, PSTN AMI Data Center Meter and Data Management Platform Residential&Commercial MESH, Two-way, Transmit Only, Drive-by Residential&Commercial Distribution Line Carrier Industrial Paging GSM/GPRS CDMA/1xRTT UtiliNet TCP/IP POTS Utility Apps.

Slide17: 

Telephone Systems Residential Inbound AMR Host System Telephone Wide Area Network Industrial Accounts Local Network Commercial Meters Commercial Accounts Shared Line Inbound Telephone Residential Inbound Residential Inbound Dial-up Lines PSTN Industrial Meters Gas Electric Water Residential

Slide18: 

Telephone Systems Strengths Capable of supporting large scale AMR projects (urban, suburban, residential) Can be used in a surgical manner to address geographically dispersed commercial / industrial meters (deregulation) Capable of supporting the extended features and alarms for complex C&I metering applications (multi-measurement) Capable of supporting power quality applications for electric C&I applications Support via dial-up or inbound telephone communications (dedicated line or shared access) Issues Can be expensive to obtain line, if not a shared line Limited real time access on shared line No land line to some homes due to location or cell phone popularity Maintenance issues of phone line

Radio Van Mobile Read: 

Radio Van Mobile Read Residential Inbound AMR Host System Industrial Accounts Local Network Meters Meters Commercial Accounts Residential Inbound Residential Inbound Gas Electric Water RF RF RF Some systems migrate to fixed Some systems collect Demand, TOU

Fixed Network Systems: 

Fixed Network Systems Will support large scale metering Capable of detailed data for billing options (Interval Data, Demand, TOU) Capable of supporting extended functionality (on request reads, off-cycle reads, virtual disconnect, etc.) Support provided for electric, gas, and water applications Advanced applications may be available at network base (outage, restoration, etc.)

Slide21: 

Private Radio Systems Wide Area Network AMR Host System RF RF RF RF Pole top devices Traditional Star Network

Private Radio Systems: 

Private Radio Systems Features Collectors/concentrators mounted on power poles communicate with meter devices. Unlicensed spread spectrum or licensed narrowband technology used for collector to meter communications. No peer to peer communications – strict hierarchical network Requires engineered communications network. Uses various WAN technologies to bring data back from pole. Repeaters used to extend coverage and fill in-network voids. Issues Radio coverage determined by RF technology & power Significant efforts & tools required for RF propagation siting Not as well suited to small scale, dispersed deployment Large scale deployment requires significant capital $ Examples Cellnet, Itron, Hexagram, AMDS

Mesh Network Systems: 

Mesh Network Systems

Mesh Network Systems: 

Mesh Network Systems Features Each node acts as a repeater which increases network reliability. Self configuring - Each node creates a routing table of the other nodes that are best situated to pass a message. Node tables are updated dynamically to allow for new nodes or to delete removed or inoperable nodes. Systems become self-aware of changes in network. Self healing - Reduces single line of sight problems inherent in node concentrator types of RF systems. Communication equipment is installed within the meter, reducing communication architecture, siting, design and complexity. Most use unlicensed RF for communications between meters. Uses public network WAN from collector nodes. Issues Economics are best for denser areas. Requires backhauls from the concentrator nodes. Higher number of hops, the less reliable the system becomes- each hop adds latency. Examples Tantalus, Elster EnergyAxis, UtiliNet, StatSignal

Mesh Networks Not the Same: 

Mesh Networks Not the Same Distributed intelligence vs. dumb endpoint True mesh vs. multiple hops vs. preassigned routing Hopping based on RF Link or Geographic intelligence Properietary vs Public (802.15.4)

Slide26: 

Mesh - Architecture

Hybrid Mesh Networks: 

Hybrid Mesh Networks

RF power is not the only performance criteria: 

RF power is not the only performance criteria RF Pattern Front

Other Factors to consider in RF: 

Other Factors to consider in RF Receiver Sensitivity Noise floor (Unlicensed) Adjacent channel availability (Narrowband) Frequency (low frequency tends to propogate further) Data Rate

Slide30: 

Power Line Communications AMR Host System Utility Substation Equipment Communication Link (Phone, MAS, Satellite, Fiber, etc.) Distribution Network

Slide31: 

Power Line Communications Strengths Utility Owned network Long Range AMR Reading – in excess of 100 miles for some technologies Coverage not affected by geographic terrain Several technologies available (narrow band, 60Hz waveform) Defined communication infrastructure requirements Can start with a single substation and expand Can Support Load Management devices Issue Serving water and gas from PLC system Managing switching and modifications in power system Area and Spot Electrical Network systems must be analyzed Limits on available bandwidth results in limits on meters that can be controlled on each substation Examples TWACS by DCSI, Hunt T1 & T2, Canon Technologies

Slide32: 

Public Radio Networks Public Radio Network AMR Host System Utility Control Center Provides Individual Addressability & 2-Way Communications Generally Good For High-end customer applications & surgical deployments Geographic Coverage Issues (Deployment by Local Provider / Rural) Data management/delivery Issues Examples, Comverge, Metrum, Amron, SmartSynch

Slide33: 

Broadband Systems Broadband over Powerline (BPL) Provides internet connectivity via electric distribution system Significant interest by US government and electric utilities – mostly in areas of country with least ISP options (DSL, Cable) Several alternative technologies being examined frequencies: 2Mhz – 100Mhz speed: 100 Mbps or more on power lines Cannot justify on utility benefits alone Rural and URD issues Last segment from distribution transformer to customer home could be PLC or WIFI. Basic Components Injectors - internet access points, Repeaters – required due to signal attenuation and distortion on powerline, Extractor - at service transformer, provides connection to customer

Slide34: 

Broadband Systems HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax) Provides High Speed / Bandwidth Communications Cable Companies Upgrading from 1 to 2-Way Systems Many public utilities installing fiber systems for cable, internet, phone Requires Cable Access / Gateway at Meter Point even if customer not a subscriber to cable services AMR is in addition to other services (can’t justify on AMR alone) AMR Host System Utility Primary Cable Head-End Secondary Head-Ends HFC

Internet Advantages: 

Internet Advantages Use Customer Internet Connection No Proprietary Infrastructure DSL, Cable, T1, BPL, GPRS, 1XRTT, 57.6 Kb connections to the Internet connections to the Internet No limit to number of IP connected devices Internet is here to stay Making the Connection Customer’s Firewall Meter initiates connection to the outside DHCP IPv6 This is the equivalent of 4.3 × 10^20 addresses per inch² of the Earth's surface. Security Concerns Customer’s IT Staff What are the Obstacles?

Satellite Systems: 

Satellite Systems Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Good for Remote, Isolated High Value / Revenue Meters (Mines, Timber Mills, Pumping Stations, etc.) Complex Metering to Support High-End Applications Typically Interfaces Through KYZ Pulse (Limited functions) or Serial RS232 Industrial / Commercial Meter(s) Attached to LEO Transceiver AMR Host System Utility

Mix’n Match Com Technologies: 

Mix’n Match Com Technologies Type Mod/Protocol Power Range Baud WAN Licensed Narrow Band FHSS .25 mW 100ft .01 PSTN (UHF VHF) DSSS .75 mW 300ft 15 TCP/IP Unlicensed 900 MHZ 7-FSK 100 mW 300ft 30 Frame Unlicensed 2.4 GHZ OOK 200 mW ¼ mile 74 Ultra Narrow Band FDMA 500 mW 1 mile 510 Narrow Band IP 1 W (30dbm) 5 mile 1600 BroadBand PL HomePlug 20 mile 9600 Public IP RF ANSI 709.2 100 mile 16.4K CCSK 19.2K 802.11 14 Mbps 802.15.4 150Mbps 802.16

Additional Considerations: 

Additional Considerations What is the technical support of the technology choice? Many current communication products have life of 3-5 years, while utility requirements are a 15+ year life. What does your business case REALLY require?

Final Thoughts: 

Final Thoughts In evaluating the communication network technologies and offerings, keep in mind: What does the business case require? Metering Information Multi-commodity Connect/disconnect Demand response/Load control

Contact Information: 

Contact Information Matt Monroe, P.E. ADI Program Manager Landis+Gyr Inc matt.monroe@us.landisgyr.com 512-750-8933