byrams elster amr system overview

EnergyAxis®AMR System Overview: 

EnergyAxis® AMR System Overview

Presentation Overview: 

Presentation Overview Elster Electricity – who we are History and Experience The Elster AMR Solution Product/System Delivery Schedule Detailed Discussions on: MAS Communications Server A3 ALPHA Collector REX Meter RF Network Operation

Slide3: 

Elster Electricity – Who We Are Elster Electricity, located in Raleigh, NC, is the former Electricity Metering division of ABB Inc. and Westinghouse Electric Corp. Elster Electricity is a subsidiary of Ruhrgas Industries (RI), headquartered in Essen, Germany, which in turn is now owned by E.ON a large German conglomerate (over $35B in revenues). In the USA, RI owns Elster Electricity, the former ABB Water Metering group, and American Meter Company (gas metering).

Slide4: 

History and Experience – We are not new to AMR Our AMR, Load Management, & Distribution Automation experience began with Westinghouse and extends over 35 years 1960s Pilot-wire meter reading and Telephone AMR 1970s Encoding meter registers 1975-1980 EPRI trials of 2-way carrier and 900 MHz radio 1982 EMETCON power line carrier system introduced 1980s Solid state recorders & communications 1985 -1997 Load Management and Distribution control systems (Carrier, Ripple, VHF & FM/SCA RF) 1990s TranstexT home automation (Telephone & CEBus) 1990s - Telephone, Cellular, CDPD, satellite and RF communications solutions for C&I metering 1999 AMR Server data collection and enterprise meter data repository 2003 EnergyAxis 900 MHz AMR system = Commercialized systems

Elster AMR Philosophy: 

Elster AMR Philosophy Provide two-way options whenever possible Favor meter data “from the meter” solutions Direct electronic register reads Billing data auditable at meter NO intermediate pulse storage errors or network computations Integrate meters and communications for cost-effective solutions Provide Meter Information solutions, not just “AMR”

Slide6: 

Elster EnergyAxis® System Enterprise LAN / WAN Technology to Empower Utilities Meter Data

Slide7: 

EnergyAxis AMR System Elements

NEW Elster EnergyAxis AMR System: 

NEW Elster EnergyAxis AMR System Entirely meter-based AMR system Residential, commercial, industrial Electric solutions, future Water and Gas Uses proven 902-928 MHz unlicensed radio for local area networks and public Wide Area Networks New Elster-designed repeating RF “mesh” LAN architecture Elster MAS Data Collection systems on Windows 2000 PC platform can support up to 200,000 meters each

Elster EnergyAxis AMR System for Residential: 

Elster EnergyAxis AMR System for Residential MAS Comm Server 900 MHz repeating RF LAN Solution for single-phase Residential and small Commercial applications Telephone Future RF WANs Integrates 900 MHz communications into REX and A3 ALPHA electronic meters

Slide10: 

MAS Comm Server Small Commercial sites, Strip Malls, Shopping Centers, Large Industrial Sites Elster AMR Functionality - Commercial & Industrial

Single-Tier Drive-by AMR Systems: 

Single-Tier Drive-by AMR Systems Suitable only to replace monthly meter reads One-way inbound only Limited data collection capability Energy only for residential Energy & demand or limited TOU for C&I (Elster A3 ALPHA with Itron ERT50ESS)

Single Tier Fixed AMR Networks: 

Single Tier Fixed AMR Networks Collectors are pole-mounted Difficult to site Required bucket truck and crew to install or service Costly to wire for power & comms

A Mesh Network Assumes Obstacles: 

A Mesh Network Assumes Obstacles Mesh networks were developed for battlefield conditions where units are moving. Every radio repeats every message it hears. This is chaotic and can lead to interference when units are fixed.

Elster AMR System – Key Differentiating Feature: 

Elster AMR System – Key Differentiating Feature New Advanced Elster RF network Proven 900 MHz unlicensed communications Intelligent 2-way communications to all meters Mesh Network RF LAN architecture Any meter can be a repeater Mesh networks controlled by A3 ALPHA Collector Meters Architecture provides up to 7 Repeater Levels (8 ‘hops’ ) Allows communications around obstacles… fewer coverage “holes” Expands Collectors’ coverage area… fewer units = lower costs System Algorithms: Optimize communications reliability to each meter Support Automatic RF registration for “Plug and go” installs Allow Self-healing communications – Units will re-register via alternate paths when local RF conditions change

Cost-Effective for Both Targeted or Mass Deployments: 

Cost-Effective for Both Targeted or Mass Deployments High-cost, Hard-to-Access, Dangerous, or High-Turnover Areas

Slide16: 

New REX Electronic Meter New, all-electronic single-phase Elster meter Supports Elster AMR communications on main board Utilizes unlicensed 902-928 MHz band Frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communications 1/4-watt transmit power Two-way communications support Scheduled & On-request reads of any meter ANSI 0.5 accuracy class (0.2 except at temp. extremes) Forms 1S, 2S, 3S and 4S (12S in 2Q2005) Voltage: 120 and 240V + 20% -40° to +85° C rating (inside the meter) Class 20, 200, or 320 self contained

Slide17: 

REX meter supports flexible rates without costly equip-ment changes or site visits. Any meter can measure: Energy (Delivered, Received, Sum, or Net) TOU (4 Tier, 4 Season Energy) Demand (Total + 1 Tier or 2 Tiers) Real-Time / Critical Tier Pricing at any time 15, 30 or 60 minute Load Profiling NO batteries needed for TOU or LP functions in most meters… time is kept by system and Collectors Lowers initial meter cost Eliminates battery maintenance Elster AMR System – Key REX Features

Slide18: 

Elster REX Meter – Other Key Features Tamper Detection Outage / blink counts Reverse energy always metered Meter failure statuses End-point Voltage data Utility-specific LAN ID in each meter allows overlapping service territories without operational conflicts Optional 200 A. Service Disconnect internal to the REX meter with demand limiting capability Outage and Restoration data

Slide19: 

A3 ALPHA with 900 MHz LAN Board A3 Nodes provide polyphase AMR metering functions with LAN operation similar to REX Units can function as an RF network repeater and can reside on same Collector networks with REX meters Currently available in Form 12S Forms 9S, 16S, 35S, 36S to be available 1Q2005 Limited initial functionality kWH energy and kW demand metering only Future units will support TOU, LP, Reactive

Slide20: 

A3 ALPHA Collector Overview A3 Collectors can be either single-or polyphase meters Meets ANSI standards, including C12.18, 19 & 21 Consists of A3 ALPHA meter with 2 internal boards: WAN: Available with internal telephone outage modem; optional external CDMA or GSM cellular modem, other future RF options LAN: 900 MHz RF Internal LAN Controller Board (ILC) Manages LAN of up to 1,024 meters, including auto-registration and re-registration processes Includes a Lithium TOU battery to maintain LAN system time, which is broadcasted periodically to all AMR meters in the RF LAN Maintains current and optional TOU Tier schedules for downloading to REX meters (up to 8)

Slide21: 

Elster AMR System – Future Flexibility EnergyAxis system adaptable for: Broadcast messaging In-home communications Energy Management & Load Control In-home Display for customer messaging (Rates, kWh, kW, $) Pre-pay metering services Home Automation features RF or PLC communications REX unit supports up to 3 option boards

Slide22: 

Elster AMR System – Future Gas & Water AMR Elster EnergyAxis RF LAN will support RF AMR modules for Gas or Water meters or other devices Units will operate one-way inbound to extend battery life Latest REX can store up to 8 gas or water messages for forwarding to Collector Battery powered AMR Module development has begun with Elster sister companies AMCO Water and AMCO gas metering Prototype field test units will be deployed later this year Expected commercial release in 2Q2006 (water) and 2007 (gas)

Slide23: 

Apartments AMR System Functionality - Residential Scheduled meter reads for billing or data collection On-request meter reads Outage and Restoration Call-ins Meter re-programming / RTP Connect/Disconnect Value-added services Load Profile may be enabled for any meter, subject to capacity of Collector memory

Slide24: 

A3 ALPHA Collector with WAN & 900 MHz LAN Boards REX1-ph Meter with 900 MHz LAN & Sec. Comm. Board AMR System Future Options - Residential Future Gas & Water Modules with 900 MHz LAN Planned Applications - TOU and Real-time Pricing with pre-set Load Mgt. Gas and Water Metering Pre-pay metering Home Automation

Elster EnergyAxis Systems Experience: 

Elster EnergyAxis Systems Experience Development started in 2000 Field Testing started in 2002 227 REX Meters and 3 Collectors System announced commercially in July 2003 Elster has placed hardware at over 35 utilities IOUs Public power US NW, SW, SE, International All installed systems are running at 100% success for daily reads Several Trial systems now being expanded SRP announced 125K unit expansion 10-04

Slide26: 

Test Network Showing Repeater Levels

Salt River Project Installation470 Meters: 

Salt River Project Installation 470 Meters 120 Single Family Residences 120 Patio Town homes 230 Apartments .5 mi. Verified operation with stucco over wire construction Demonstrated highly reliable daily AMR reads

Portland General ElectricInstallation Planning for Backbone System Test(approx. 1200 Meters over 12 sq. miles): 

Portland General Electric Installation Planning for Backbone System Test (approx. 1200 Meters over 12 sq. miles) Testing networks of 80-120 REX meter/repeaters per square mile using 1 Collector per square mile grid System will Provide ability to install AMR or TOU meter anywhere within the backbone network.

Orlando Utilities – 480 Meter Apartment Complex: 

Orlando Utilities – 480 Meter Apartment Complex

OUC EnergyAxis System Expansion: 

OUC EnergyAxis System Expansion

Elster System Benefits – Metering Operations: 

Elster System Benefits – Metering Operations Reduce or eliminate: Manual meter reading costs Meter reading errors Site-related personnel injuries and liabilities Out-of-cycle manual reads for: Move-outs / Move-ins High turnover areas (apartments, military, colleges) Estimated Reads at hard to access / Dangerous sites Bill complaints requiring read verification Costs of service disconnect/connect Allows Virtual or hard disconnect without visits Possible extension to prepay system

Slide32: 

Elster System Benefits – Metering Operations Reduce costs of changing metering requirements Energy, Demand, TOU, RTP, LP… selectable at any time Allows truly random selection of load and rate research meters Eliminate site visits to change meter to match needs Eliminate site visits to update TOU calendar/schedules Greatly reduces cost of TOU battery change-outs Reduce lost revenue through early detection of meter tampering and alarms Reverse energy monitoring / summed energy Outage counters

Elster System Benefits – Rates/Load Research: 

Elster System Benefits – Rates/Load Research Eliminates cost of buying special purpose meters for load research Eliminates expense of moving meters when a new sample is required Allows truly random selection of load and rate research meter locations Allows new rates to be developed and applied without site visits

Slide34: 

Elster System Benefits – Distribution Operations System Outage and Restoration data Verify non-restored power areas for crew dispatch Outage / Blink counts can pinpoint faulty equipment System Demands Since all meters measure with time synchronized demand, it is possible to summarize demands for transformers, line segments, feeders, etc. Voltage monitoring Improve customer service in low voltage areas Improve system efficiencies due to lower system losses

Maximizing Your AMR Investment: 

Maximizing Your AMR Investment Buy from a stable supplier that invests in R&D to support and upgrade their AMR systems Look for systems with increasing value and functionality Advanced features Connectivity Other Utility Metering C&I Residential A3 Node CTP Water Gas In-Home Display 2003 2007 Fm 12S Alt WAN CL 320 TOU, LP kWH, kW, 200A Disc DSM

Summary of Utility Applications: 

Summary of Utility Applications The Elster 900 MHz Mesh Network AMR System is designed for: Urban and Suburban service areas… not rural Targeted AMR with high metering costs Hard to Access meters High turnover areas Hazardous areas Service Disconnect applications Full scale AMR - when higher functionality is needed or anticipated Residential and Commercial metering Energy, Demand, TOU, or Critical Tier rates Load Profile data Gas and/or Water AMR

Slide37: 

Elster Product Release Schedule AMR system available today with: Form 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S REX meters w/ RF LAN Form 2S Class 320 REX Form 2S with Integral Service Disconnect Single- and polyphase A3 Collector Meters with Internal Telephone or external Cellular WAN & RF LAN MAS 5.1 Communications Server Form 12S REX 2Q2005 A3 ALPHA with 900 MHz LAN Card 4Q04 -3Q05 MAS 5.5 – A3 Node support for TOU 4Q2005 Load Profile

Slide38: 

Electricity Meters and Systems Discover the value of the diamond