AclaraConnect 2019 AMI Communication Technologies …

Power System Engineering, Inc.www.powersystem.org

AclaraConnect 2019

AMI Communication Technologies Overview

© 2019 Power System Engineering, Inc. 2

About the Presenter


Kyle KopczykManager of Utility Automation

Phone: (608) 268-3539Email: [email protected]

Power System Engineering, Inc.

1532 W. Broadway

Madison, WI 53713

Web Site at: www.powersystem.org

About the Presenter: Kyle has a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from

Michigan Technological University and an MBA from the Minnesota School of

Business. He has 10+ years of experience in the utility industry focusing on

AMI/AMR, demand response, MultiSpeak, and others. Kyle also works closely

on technology work plans, procurements, business cases, and design & project

management. Kyle is a subject matter expert in PSE’s AMI and Smart Grid

practice areas.

PSE Introductions

http://www.powersystem.org/


Introduction to AMI

© 2019 Power System Engineering, Inc.

Definitions and Acronyms

• AMR = Automated Meter Reading

– Includes drive-by and one-way communications

• AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure

– Two-way communications to modules in meters

– Includes the communications infrastructure

• Main types of AMI systems:

– Power Line Carrier / Communication (PLC)

• Communications to the meters over power lines

– Private Wireless

• Point-to-multipoint (PMP) from tower to meter or “mesh” of meters to collector

– Cellular

– Fiber/Wireless

• Leverages fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) – not direct to the meter. Wi-Fi to meter is coming.

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Meter Reading Technology Evolution

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Manual

• Monthly kWh reading

• EM Meters

Drive-by

• One-way wireless

• Monthly kWh reading

• EM meters

AMR

• One-way PLC or Drive-by

• Monthly kWh

• Digital meter

AMI

• Two-way

• Digital meter

• Daily kWh, kW

• Interval data

• Outage mgmt.

Smart Grid

• HAN

• DA

• Web portal

EM = Electro-mechanical

AMR = Automated Meter Reading

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure

2nd Gen. AMI

• Improved Outage Notification

• Transport for DA

• Growth of DSM over AMI

2019

3rd Gen. AMI

• > Resiliency

• Private backhaul

• Better use of MDMs

• Interoperability and IOT support


System Components

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Headquarters

• AMI master

• MDMS

• DRMS

• NMS

• Integrations

Wide Area Network

• Backbone communications

• Public or private

• Microwave, fiber, cellular, etc.

• Towers, substations, offices

Neighborhood Area Network

• AMI collectors – towers, substations, poles

• AMI repeaters

• AMI meters –mesh or P2MP

Home Area Network

• Load control switches

• Smart thermostats

• ZigBee, Wi-Fi

• Distributed generation

• Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs)


AMI Technology Types


Power Line Carrier / Communications• Power Line Carrier / Communications

(PLC) AMI systems add a modulated carrier signal to distribution power lines.

• Very few new Power Line Carrier systems are being deployed as compared to RF

• Components may include transformer modulation (control) units, substation control units, current-transformers (CTs)

• Advantages:– 100%* reads if meter has power– Detect phase, line/device issues

• Disadvantages– Slower data rates and longer latency– No last gasp, water or gas Support; limited DA

• Vendors:– Aclara, Cooper, Landis+Gyr

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Aclara TWACS PLC AMI


Power Line Carrier

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Point to Multipoint (P2MP) AMI

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• P2MP (fixed or tower-based) AMI systems communicate between a tower and an endpoint. Some systems support one “hop” between endpoints.

• Components may include towers, master radios at the towers, and AMI modules in meters and field devices.

• Advantages:– Typically simplified backhaul from

a few masters– Direct support for multiple utilities

• Disadvantages– Cannot detect phase*, line/device

issues– Access to height can be more

critical

• Vendors:– Sensus, Aclara, and Tantalus

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Point-to-Multipoint AMI• Point-to-multipoint communication is

providing multiple paths from a single

location to multiple locations.

• Collectors are located at a tower or

poles.

• 900 MHz, 450 MHz, and 220 MHz

licensed radio is used to communicate

directly with collector/tower.

• Each frequency is broken into different

segments/parts or channels. The

channels can be dedicated to a specific

need (LM, Meter Readings, DA, etc.). At

full duplex capability.

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Tower-based AMI Vendor Components

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220 MHz

R220 900

220 MHz and 900 MHz

Repeater

900 MHz ISM LAN to either

Meters or LM switches

R

220 900

R

220 900

R

220 MHz 900 MHz Mesh

900 MHz Mesh


Wireless Mesh AMI

• Mesh = Multipoint-to-Multipoint

• Meters communicate “peer-to-peer” using an unlicensed wireless frequency (900 MHz or 2.4 GHz)

• Collectors are strategically located where they can “talk to” as many meters as possible. From collectors, data is backhauled on the WAN to the main office.

• Usually self-healing in the event a mesh node is not available, messages are re-routed to a different path.

• Vendors:

– Eaton/Cooper, Elster, Landis+Gyr, Tantalus, Trilliant, Itron, Silver Spring Networks, NexGrid

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Mesh AMI


Cellular AMI – 100% Cellular or Partial Use

• Cellular AMI

– Both AT&T and Verizon offer a turnkey AMI cellular solution

– Several AMI vendors have a cellular-based product lines

– Good for hard to reach areas or where wireless AMI may be too costly

– Most modules run on current 4G (some still 3G) networks

– May not be an option in areas of poor cellular coverage

Cellular

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C&I Meters

Residential Meters


Mesh vs. Point-to-Multipoint

Point-to-Multipoint Network

Two unreachable remotes, would

require another collection site or

gap fill device

Wireless Mesh Network

All endpoints are reachable, but

more connections increase latency

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http://openclipart.org/detail/3676/mountain-in-ink-by-sneptune







High Level RF Mesh System Overview

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High Level RF P2MP System Overview

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AMI Network Health

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Sample: Meter Density Map

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Existing Communications Infrastructure

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The ‘Hybrid’ Approach


Hybrid AMI

• There are various ways a system could be considered “hybrid”:

– PLC with complete system overlay of wireless AMI (Mesh or P2MP)

– PLC with pockets of AMI and cellular

– Dual band cellular/mesh/licensed with other AMI and PLC combinations

• Hybrid solutions tend to be temporary gap fillers until a full system migration becomes economical. Typically, that is when the old AMR/AMI system is completely end of life.

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Partial Deployment – High Value Meters• Overlay wireless AMI to

cover areas of greatest value and importance

• P2MP-based AMI has the ability to cover larger areas without the need of meters meshing to obtain coverage

• A Mesh AMI partial deployment would generally require greater installations of collectors and repeaters than a full deployment

– However, the greater amount of AMI equipment increases resiliency and redundancy

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All Meters

The AMI mesh collectors and repeaters typically represent less than 15% of the total

infrastructure costs.

Partial Meters


P2MP-Based AMI – High Value MetersP2MP-based AMI has the ability to cover larger areas without the need of meters meshing to obtain coverage

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Can easily

determine what

meters not to

convert to AMI

versus needing a

mesh to exist to

obtain coverage


Utility #1: Wireless AMI Mesh

25% Wireless AMI

Deployment

100% Wireless AMI

Deployment

1 Technology Type 900 Mesh 900 Mesh

2 Assumed Signal Distance 2,500 ft. 2,500 ft.

3 End Point Quantity 32,000 130,000

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• A 25% initial deployment would likely cover important

services:

❑ Prepaid metering

❑ C&I meters with five min. interval readings

❑ DA end points

❑ Remote disconnect/reconnect

❑ Load management switches

❑ Smart thermostats

❑ Bellwether Metering Points


Utility #1 Propagation Study: 25% Wireless Mesh

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Utility #1 Propagation Study: 100% Wireless Mesh

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Utility #1: Wireless AMI Mesh Conclusion

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25% Wireless AMI

Deployment

100% Wireless AMI

Deployment

1 Technology Type 900 Mesh 900 Mesh

2 Assumed Signal Distance 2,500 ft. 2,500 ft.


4 Collector Count 180 200

5 Repeater Count 120 50


Typical Cost Differences – Utility #1 MeshCost Categories

Utility #2 Partial Deployment

Quantity Unit Cost Extended Cost

Servers, Integration and Project Management 1 $150,000 $150,000

Collectors & Repeaters 300 $3,000 $900,000

Residential, 3-Ph, and Installation 25,000 $160 $4,000,000

Total $5,050,000

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Cost Categories

Utility #2 Full Deployment

Quantity Unit Cost Extended Cost




Total $15,950,000


Utility #2: Wireless AMI P2MP

25% Wireless AMI

Deployment

100% Wireless AMI

Deployment

1 Technology Type Licensed Licensed


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• A 25% initial deployment would likely cover important services:

❑ Prepaid metering

❑ C&I meters with five min. interval readings

❑ DA end points

❑ Remote disconnect/reconnect

❑ Load management switches

❑ Smart thermostats

❑ Bellwether metering points


Utility #2: Propagation Study 25% P2MP

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Utility #2: Propagation Study 100% P2MP

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Utility #2: Wireless AMI P2MP Conclusion

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25% Wireless AMI

Deployment

100% Wireless AMI

Deployment

1 Technology Type Licensed Licensed


3 Base Stations 5 5


Cost Differences – Utility #2 P2MP

Cost Categories

Utility #2 25% Partial Deployment

Quantity Unit Cost Extended

Cost


Base Stations 5 $75,000 $375,000

Residential, 3-Ph, and Installation 3,300 $160 $525,000

Total $950,000

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Cost Categories

Utility #2 100% Full Deployment

Quantity Unit Cost Extended

Cost




Total $2,475,000


PLC vs. RF


Current PLC OfferingsFeature Supported PLC – Varies Slightly by Vendor

Interval Data Options Residential – 2 Channels @ 15/30/60 min

Commercial – 4 Channels @ 15/30/60 min

Interval Data Reporting Varies, depends on the polling of the meter data or

read request scripts and quantity of meters.

Could be a few minutes to a few days.

Outage and Restoration Via ping request (checking for a response)

Automatically via OMS or other vendor features

Electrical Path / Phasing Electrical path needs to be set/updated

Phase can be detected and reported

Meter Manufacturers Supported Varies by vendor – most support multiple meter

manufacturers

Distribution Automation Support varies, but typically Cap Banks –

regulators & reclosers require other communication

paths37


Current PLC OfferingsFeature Supported PLC – Varies Slightly by Vendor

Load Management Support Typically a 2 & 3 relay device available

More relay support in development or custom

Supports 2-way communication

Distributed Generation / Energy

Resources / EV Charging

No Support for “smart” invertors

Net metering supported

Street / Security Light Controls No support today

Vendor roadmap

Pre-paid Metering Supported – MDMS or system capable of VEE

suggested in place

Home Area Network (HAN) No Support

Voltage Intervals and Min/Max supported – length of

interval and detail varies by meter/vendor

Gas and Water Meters No Support

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Current Industry RF Offerings

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Feature Supported RF (As an Industry)

Interval Data Options Res. – 4 Channels (or more) @ 1/5/15/30/60 min

C&I – 4 Channels (or more) @ 1/5/15/30/60 min

Interval Data Reporting Residential typically @ 60 min

Commercial typically @ 15 min

Seeing down to 1 min reporting intervals

Outage and Restoration Automatic / unsolicited

Configurable for message and timers (blink vs.

momentary vs. sustained)

Some rely on software for filtering others are using

the edge device to make decisions

Electrical Path / Phasing Reads not affected by switching

Phase detect is not widely available – on roadmaps

Meter Manufacturers Supported Residential – Varies by vendor

Commercial – Same as above

Distribution Automation Supported – varies slightly based on vendor and

field equipment manufacturer – DNP3


Current Industry RF Offerings

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Feature Supported RF (As an Industry)

Load Management Support Typically 2 & 3 relay devices available

Support for appliance runtime, control time, tamper

flags, etc.

Distributed Generation / Energy

Resources / EV Charging

Some vendors support communications to “smart”

invertors, but no full scale deployments yet

EV charging station support


Street / Security Light Controls Supported by most vendors

Pre-paid Metering Supported

Home Area Network (HAN) Supported by most vendors*

Voltage “Instantaneous”, min/sag, max/swell, average

* Smart Phones have replaced the need for in-home displays


PLC vs. RFFeature Supported PLC RF Gap

Interval Data Options Residential – 2 Channels

Commercial – 4 Channels

Residential – 4 Channels

Commercial – 4 Channels

Moderate – RF offers more

data capacity and frequency

Interval Data Reporting Varies on reading schedule. Customizable - Default:

Res. @ 60 min

Com. @ 15 min

Moderate – RF offers

greater flexibility & custom

reporting intervals

Outage and Restoration Via ping request (checking

for a response)

Automatically via OMS or

other vendor features

Automatic – configurable

time and reporting

parameters

Moderate – outage and blink

count are enhanced by not

having to ping and interpret

return messages

Electrical Path / Phasing Electrical path/phase can be

determined.

Switching can cause missed

readings.

Reads not affected by

switching.

Phase detect is readily

currently available – select

vendors support it.

Low/Moderate – RF does

not read from substations.

Phase detect is not yet

available for some vendors.

Meter Manufacturers

Supported

Varies Varies Low – More and more

vendors supporting a diverse

meter manufacturer list

Distribution Automation Typically seen at cap banks,

slightly more limited.

Supported – varies slightly

based on DA vendor

equipment

Low – Private backhaul to a

critical DA device can be

more ideal

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PLC vs. RFFeature Supported PLC RF Gap

Load Management

Support

Typically a 2 & 3 relay

device available

2 relay devices available

Support for appliance

runtime, control time,

tamper flags, etc.

4 relay in development

Low/Moderate – RF allows

for greater detail, expanded

data offering

Distributed Generation /

Energy Resources / EV

Charging

Net metering supported IPv6 changing supported

products


Low – Both support sub and

net meters. There other RF

vendors further along in this

area

Street / Security Light

Controls

No support today

On the roadmap

Not Supported

On the roadmap

Moderate – RF vendors

currently have support

Pre-paid Metering Supported Supported Low – Supported by both.

RF offers slightly more

detail/data frequency

Home Area Network

(HAN)

No Support No Support Low – IOT has support by

other vendors – smartphones

changing the game more

Voltage “Instantaneous” “Instantaneous”, min/sag,

max/swell, average

Moderate – RF provides

more data reporting

capabilities

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“And one more thing…”

• “I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what's next.”

– Steve Jobs

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Kyle Kopczyk

Manager of Utility Automation Consultant

Direct: 608-268-3539

Mobile: 810-923-3276

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.powersystem.orgThank you for your time.

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AclaraConnect 2019 AMI Communication Technologies …

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