Page 35 - Energize January 2021

TECHNICAL

Advanced metering infrastructure:

A step towards the smart grid

by Mike Rycroft, Now Media

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a common smart-grid (SG) entry point for electricity
distribution utilities. Experience has shown that AMI can be used for more than billing, and that
the data collection capabilities of smart meters can be leveraged to provide other smart grid
functions which would otherwise require the installation of separate systems or would

otherwise be unavailable.

mart grid functionality requires AMI is the sensor network of the smart grid
data and information on the AMI provides a data gathering visibility which extends down to the consumer level and
operation and condition of the aggregating and analysing consumer information can provide visibility into system
Sdistribution network. Initial operation and condition that an overlay system may not be able to do economically. AMI is
models proposed the installation of reported to have exceeded initial expectations by providing previously unavailable data and
monitors and sensors at critical points in visibility into system operations. This is opening opportunities for improving reliability,
the network, and a data collection IT reducing costs through increased efficiencies, and enabling a shift from a reactive to
network to assimilate the information. This proactive mode. 1
could be problematic for a distribution With predictive analytics provided by AMI, it is possible to anticipate the declining
network, as costs may limit the extent of health or pending failure of an asset and proactively schedule equipment maintenance or
the monitoring network. replacement, rather than waiting for a failure or customer call. Proactively addressing issues
The installation of AMI, however, increases worker safety, reduces overtime costs and delivers better reliability and service
makes it possible to implement smart for customers.
grid functions without additional network Moving from AMR functionality to AMI may require a change in data transmission
equipment and provides data beyond capacity. as the application requires readings of all parameters more frequently (hourly, half-
the needs of metering and billing hourly or even on a minute-by-minute basis). Existing AMR systems already provide
applications, which could be used for readings at quarter-hourly or half-hourly intervals but are capable of even shorter intervals.
distribution analytics. The Monthly reads create 12 data points annually. Transitioning to hourly reads creates 8760
implementation of AMI is widely seen as data points – a 730-fold increase. Shortening read intervals further to 15-minute intervals
the first step in the digitalisation of the creates 35 040 data points – per customer each year.
electric grid system.
AMI smart grid features
Background Table 1 gives examples of the features which could be implemented using AMI.
The original approach to smart metering
was based on automatic meter reading AMI system structure
(AMR). It was soon realised that the smart The benefits or uses of AMI cannot be achieved by merely installing the network and meters
meter and the associated communications but require integration with a meter data management system (MDMS), advanced
network could be used to gather more distribution management system (ADMS), or other IT solutions which allow the data to be
information than simply billing, and the analysed, visualised, and paired with other data (Figure 1).
system was adapted to take advantage of Figure 2 shows how AMR can be assimilated into the smart grid.
this. Adding data analysis and processing
to the system allowed the generation of a Information available from AMI systems
wealth of new information that could be The basic measurement provided is aggregated energy consumption. In addition, most
used advantageously in the operation of smart meters can supply
the network. The full potential of this • Instantaneous real and reactive power consumption
system has not yet been realised and • Instantaneous voltage and current
several functionalities are still under • Disconnect data
evaluation and development. • Power quality data

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