Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) has
evolved rapidly in the past 15 years, with improvements in existing technology
and the introduction of new technology to provide a range of solutions for end
users. However, the rapid growth in AMR has also become a potential minefield
for utilities with reliability, longevity and installation issues. In addition,
there are
also a number of legacy systems that are failing, or providing management
headaches for operators.
The AMR evolution has also made the planning process far more complex, as it's
not just the technology that is evolving, but the AMR process as a whole, from
application identification to long term asset management. The days of starting
with a simple trial to assess the technology is potentially creating a legacy
system for future management.
The following is a simple outline of some areas for consideration in the AMR
process:
Business Case
The big improvement in AMR/AMI is the business case, or viability! AMR/AMI is providing
greater scope for a cost benefit
for identified application/s for the short, medium and long term, including:
- Hard to read, inaccessible and remote meters
- Leak detection
- Water conservation
- Infrastructure management and planning
Depending on the complexity of application/s, the right solution will most likely be a
combination of technology that will more than likely change, or evolve within
the life cycle of the project, which is essentially an unknown that needs to be planned for and it may be years
before you know if you made the right choice.
In essence, the business case starts with two simple questions:
- What solution/s, or application/s are applicable to my business?
- Is there is a cost benefit for my business?
Simple questions with complex answers!
Hardware Options
The choice in technology is changing as suppliers and technology come and go from
the market with
options such as:
- Wired
- RF
- WiFi
- GSM
- 3G
- Bluetooth
It's fair to say that currently there is no single cost effective solution for
all applications and the right choice is a strategic and possibly complex purchase. With new technology
constantly emerging, through both innovation and application,
the bottom line is; what you buy today will most likely be obsolete tomorrow!
You need to plan for a variety of hardware from various sources.
Software Solutions
Software potentially has the ability to future proof AMR networks, it can
evolve with hardware and has the potential to marry old, current and new
technologies through the management of systems, processes and most importantly,
data.
Note: ITOnline does not sell AMR hardware, but we provide software
solutions More information
The Deployment Strategy
The deployment strategy is another key factor and probably a defining factor for
the business case. There are a number options, or strategies that could make
a project viable. It could be as simple as a small number of devices on
inaccessible meters, or a complex 10 year, all of fleet roll out plan, based on
the hardware life cycle, budget constraints and return on investment.
Risk Identification & Risk Management
Last on the list, but a major priority is risk identification. A number of utilities around the world have been burnt by their AMR experience
and as the market and applications evolve, the risks increase. Identifying and managing risks is an essential part of the
process and should be included in the business case. The 3 main issues with AMR
fleets today are:
- Poorly installed hardware.
- Failing hardware.
- Unsupported hardware/systems.
Risk indentification should have a 10 year forecast and include answers to potential problems such as:
- Sourcing and applying the appropriate technology, or technologies.
- Hardware
- Are my current and future meters compatible?
- Will the technology work with above ground installations and/or below ground?
- Is my geography suitable for the preferred technology?
- Software
- Is the software compatible with billing, analytics and other systems?
- Can the software support other AMR hardware?
- How will the software manage my processes?
- Will the hardware and software be supported for the life of the project?
- Is there a guarantee upgrades will be backward compatable?
- What industry history does the supplier have?
- Who does their installation? Will my staff be trained to support it?
- Third party reliance:
- Will I own my hardware (all, or part)?
- Will I own the data, and/or data flow?
- What carrier, network, or technology is to be used (Note: GSM is being phased out).
- What happens if my supplier fails
- What is the upgrade strategy?
Each site will have it's own issues, questions and identified risks to be
managed.
ITOnline can help you navigate the minefield as well as providing a solution to
manage the process and your data Read More 