METERING TECHNOLOGY & AMR APPLICATIONS

In this era of technology, keeping in touch with the latest gadgets become essentially important as
the competition in the field of energy increases gradually and so is the demand of regular
uninterrupted power. As such, the advancement and reliability of metering in the present scenario
becomes important as these parameters influence the accuracy of the meter which is by far the
most important part since the revenue of the entire utility is dependent on it.As such the basic aim
of the three days training was to understand the concept and design of metering technology and use
AMR Application in distribution systems. The training was sub divided into two topics:
Open communications standard of metering
Automatic meter reading

Open communications standard of metering
Indias Metering Industry is growing and vibrant with a large install base of tariff meters, and numerous
Indian and international manufacturers and service providers serving the market.
Currently there is a very vibrant debate going on in the metering industry by all its stakeholders on the
issue of adoption of DLMS / COSEM communication standards in India. This document puts the
standardization process in perspective, and discusses the need for a open protocol standard for
metering communications, and also discusses on the applicability of IEC 62056 / DLMS/COSEM in the
Indian scenario.
Current Indian Metering Scenario
India Electricity market has a unique problem of large amount of losses, theft and unbilled
power at the distribution level, and there is great impetus in bringing these under control.
Theft is attributed to be the largest reason for loss in electrical distribution and there is
large focus both from the government, the utilities and the manufacturers to address this
issue. Hence over the years the metering specifications and features have been more and
more adapted to detecting tamper in the meter as one its unique features.
Given the above scenario, constant monitoring and tracking of your metering assets and
usage is becoming key to all utilities. So also is the requirement for a large number of
analysis and load management applications to be deployed by utilities for managing its
distribution network and making decisions on future investments and immediate
corrective actions.
To manage these requirements, the utilities have been resorting for quite some time to
ordering not only the meter, but also the metering software and communication system
from a single meter vendor. When multiple vendors exist, a similar duplicate system
exists at the utility. Data integration happens at a very higher level, where these different
system data gets aggregated in some MIS/ERP system. These integrations and the low
flexibility and great dependency on the vendors, is resulting in reduced operational agility
for the utility as well as increased costs in deploying any new type of higher level
management and reporting softwares or implementing large scale remote metering
systems.
Over the years a number of metering protocols have come to be existent in the Indian
market. These are namely the older IEC standard of IEC 1107, the ANSI Standard, the PACT
standard from secure meters and Modbus Standard. The Common Meter Reading
Instrument is available from many vendors, which support manufacturer specific
programs, which can read and convert the proprietary formats into user readable form.
These protocols have been consistently modified over the period by the manufacturers to
meet many of the unique requirements of the unities, from a functional point of view,
especially with regard to theft and tampering. The manufacturers have also brought
about many solutions that enable the utilities to deploy AMR, metering applications etc.,
using their meters.
The Indian Utilities were more or less ignorant of the communication issues and inter-
operability requirements, open protocol requirements etc., and hence metering protocol, as
one of the critical components to be considered in a meter purchase was never felt or
implemented and was left totally in the scope of the manufacturer to decide on what to use.
The manufacturers have been reluctant to openup their metering protocol for the public,
and each manufacturers protocol is private to itself, and drivers where provided to utilities
on request. However with the existence of a number of specific standards and specific
addressing in each of the meters, in the long run Utilities are facing problems in getting to
communicate with their meters seamlessly, without getting bogged down by technical
issues related to proprietary protocols, reading systems and lack of common remote
reading capabilities and thereby not able to deploy MIS and management applications with
automated metering as input in any fruitful way.

The biggest drawback with the current system is the large investment being made by
individual metering companies, the system integrators, the software implementers and the
utilities themselves in maintaining their own set of communication protocols, drivers,
adapters, XML converters, and application solutions. There are instances of large
government funded projects for AMR resulting in a real success rate of 20-30% of actual
metered points from remote, due to lack of information on communication protocol being
available. Thus a large amount of government funds get wasted in such projects with
proprietary projects.
The distinct solutions also does not allow for a common platform for the utilities, the meter
manufacturers and software solution providers need to learn, adapt and upgrade their
basic meter, and its capabilities, address the issue of effective reading and management of
theft, providing cost effective meter reading, implementing high end software solutions for
their other critical function and adapting to the latest technological advancement easily in
the communication, software and utility management systems space.

Implementation of a common metering standard in Indian Context

It has been recognized and proven world over that standards help to reduce cost, improve
competition and provide a more level playing field. This is true of all standards including
communication protocols. The Indian experience in the standardization process also
demonstrates the benefits of standardization. These standards help bring new technology
and products to the mass market, enables competition, and thereby bring products at
attractive costs as these standards are open, allow inter operability and encourage
numerous players into the market. The communication in itself never becomes the
competitive advantage of a product, but the other features of the product become the
competing point for the products.
The situation in the case of communication standards for utility automation, under the IEC
Working Group 13, Technical Committee 57, is also another milestone in question where
different communication protocols that have been defined have resulted in more inter-
operability and higher competition and lower cost to end customers. The TC 57 Technical
Committee has stipulated a number of communication protocols that standardizes different
aspects of utility communication including protocols between RTU and Control Center (IEC
60870-5-101 / IEC 60870-5-104), between control centers (IEC 60870-6 or ICCP/TASE.2),
within sub-stations (IEC 61850), for relays and protection equipments (IEC 60870-5-103)
and for DMS/EMS Systems as well as Enterprise Integration for connecting data between
utility systems and ERP, Asset Management, Trouble Call Management and between
Different Energy Participants and ISOs (IEC 61970 / IEC 61968). These standards define
the various aspects of the utility communication requirements, and are playing an
important part globally in the last 10-15 years in bringing about more uniform
communication mechanisms with in the utility domain.
The TC 57 working group also has adopted the DLMS / IEC 62056 as the standard for
metering. This effort greatly enhances the value of DLMS as a universal standard for
metering. Some of the key advantages of DLMS includes its object oriented nature, support
for different communication media including Ethernet TCP/IP, standardized object
identification codes, thereby removing ambiguity and a standard communication profile,
which is open that addresses how the various devices can interoperate and communicate.
The DLMS also provides for a conformance standard that helps manufacturers and utilities
to ensure that suppliers comply to the standard. The DLMS architecture is thus complying
to the overall long term objectives of the IEC TC57 committee on utility communications
and hence has been adopted as an IEC standard.
Indian Electricity Network is slated to be the 3
rd
Largest in the world, and is rapidly
expanding to meet the varying requirements brought about by exponential demand
increase, large grids being deployed, large investments in distribution automation, large
rural electrification drive and an increasing focus on monitoring and control of billed and
free power. It is important that such a large network be standardized with respect to
communication aspects in metering, since there are already applicable standards for
metering and almost all other utility equipment already stipulated and followed. Only
communication in this sector is currently not standardized. Without standardization in
metering communications the whole concept of standardization of products becomes
irrelevant, since this is the most critical aspect in building a networked electricity
infrastructure. In India, all the major utilities have adopted most of the protocols under the
IEC TC57 committee including IEC 60870-5-101 and IEC 60870-5-104 for sub-station to
control center communication, IEC 60870-5-103 for IED / Relay Communication, Inter
Control Center Protocol (ICCP/TASE.2 or IEC 60870-6) for communication between control
centers under the ULDC scheme and most recently adopted IEC 61850 for communication
within sub-stations. Thus the Indian utilities and Indian transmission, distribution and
generation companies have gone a long way in the adoption of the latest IEC TC57
standards for their various communication requirements. It is important hence for the
Indian Power Ministry, the Bureau of Indian Standards, CPRI and CPIB to work with Indian
Meter Manufacturers and Utilities to evolve a common communication standard for meters.
This standard need not necessarily be DLMS since what India requires currently is an open
standard, with object oriented architecture and common communication and security
profiles. A starting point can be made in this direction by one of the leading manufacturer
opening up their metering protocol, and making it available to a standing technical
committee for evaluation and up gradation. The first version of the Indian metering
standard can be adopted as the Meter manufacturers protocol in its current form, with a
road map for revisions. This is true for the metering standards for pre-paid metering too.
Indian Metering and Utility Industry however can make a huge leap in terms of its products
being adopted globally, if it follows the IEC Standards, and BIS plays an active role in the
IEC WG13, not only as participant with observer status (in many committees), but as a full
voting member, and fully working towards ensuring the interests of Indian Utility Industry
and Indian Manufacturers. This is the way ahead for the Indian Industry that will give
Indian Manufacturers the maximum benefit in not only bringing standards based products
to India, but also in being able to compete globally.
Features of DLMS-COSEM Standard for Electricity Metering as adopted by IEC WG 13,
TC 57

DLMS/COSEM provides a common meter model at its communication interfaces so that the
external interfaces are open and standardized. The standard in itself does not define a
meter, but provide standard object models for modeling any standard electrical
meter and also provide very pre-defined external interface for communication
purposes.
The Object Models as defined by the standard in no-way determine how the meter has to
be built or modify the actual metering system. It only gives a presentation mechanism of a
given meters features at its communication interfaces. Hence every meter manufacturer is
left to define his own standard meter models. The DLMS/COSEM also defines standard
metering object identification system, which are fixed
for standard meter functions. This enables every meter reading system to understand a
value by its identification system, irrespective of the meter. The DLMS/COSEM also allows
for uploading the Objects supported by a meter, and then reading the meter values, which
enable any DLMS/COSEM Compliant Client software to read any manufacturer meter.
The DLMS/COSEM specification is standardized by both the IEC and CEN, the standards are
available for anybody at nominal cost. There are no license fees payable or any like costs.
DLMS/COSEM:
covers all metering functions required on the 5rganizatio market. The functions are
5rganiz using metering domain specific interface objects. This allows developing
meters meeting exactly customer needs, using standard building blocks. It also allows
innovation and competition by enhancing functionality in a standard way as required
while maintaining interoperability.
ensures unique identification of all metering equipment world-wide and unambiguous
identification of all data elements.
ensures unambiguous interpretation of all metering data.
allows controlled and selective access by various parties to application relevant data.
improves efficiency through effective data 5rganization and encoding.
provides various levels of security mechanisms to control access to data depending on
authentication and access rights.
covers all type of metering equipment, including electricity, gas, water, heat etc.
is suitable from the simplest devices to the most complex ones.
opens the way for exchanging data over various communication media, as the meter
data model is independent of the communication protocol stack.
brings interoperability, and therefore lowers costs, as it is based on a standard data
model and internationally approved standard protocols.
provides mechanisms to facilitate installation, as the data collection system is able to
learn the data structure of the newly installed meter and to download the parameters
as required by the application and metering site.
allows developing a genuine driver, as the meter describes the functions available and
sends all information necessary to interpret data. This allows meter manufacturers
and data collection system providers to concentrate on the applications relevant for
their customers rather than on connectivity and interfaces;

comes complete with a conformance testingscheme to guarantee interoperability.
Some of the key aspects of DLMS is as follows:
DLMS/COSEM is open
Energy type, manufacturer and communication media independent interface model
DLMS/COSEM support functionality for the measurement of all energy types
The COSEM model supports any device complexity
All data can be unambiguously identified
Clear and unambiguous data interpretation
DLMS/COSEM supports innovation and competition
Support of various communication architectures and protocols
Efficient, secure, controlled and selective data access
Safe data transport via leased lines, PSTN, GSM
Meter data exchange via the internet
Low protocol overhead and efficient encoding
System integration, meter installation and maintenance facilitated
DLMS/COSEM is self-descriptive allowing to develop generic drivers
Cost reduction through interoperability
Conformance testing
Provides a mechanism for expanding the Object Identification Codes and new data
types. This in India can be stipulated by BIS as an Indian Standard and later given to
DLMS UA for standardization process

Implementation of DLMS/COSEM in Indian Context

Implementation of DLMS/COSEM in the Indian Context throws open more a Pandoras box
with more questions than it can answer. The major constraint that is facing the Indian
Industry, is the existing install-base of meters, which all have proprietary protocols. The
Indian Industry requires a two step approach to attacking this problem. First is to address
the issue of existing meter install base and the second is to plan for the new and expanding
requirement of enhanced communicable standard meters for the future.
The approach is a good first step to address the existing install-base of meters. Adoption of
any new technology will result in a migration environment, which is not smooth. However
this in no way should take away the benefit of the new technology. The Industry hence has
to adopt means to adapt to the new technology, and at the same time, for a considerable
period of time, support the old install-base. The current approach to having a coming API
for meter reading, with different protocol drivers for different meter models, is an
intermediate solution as the Industry migrates to the new technology. It has to be noted
that current architecture for AMR and remote metering and meter reading as
per the approach, results in increased meter reading time, enhanced investment in
integration issues and implementation of own application software which shall interface
with the architecture as proposed. However to ensure that the current investments does
not go waste, this approach is inevitable. This hence is a good approach provided
this is the first step towards an open standard. As a second step, all new tenders and
procurements should be done for DLMS meters. Indian manufacturers should not be
disqualified in any tenders but shall be allowed to quote for DLMSs meter tenders,
provided they already have meters of the same class, and a proven track record with albeit
proprietary interfaces. They will hence take orders and implement DLMS meters and DLMS
compliant products duly certified by CPRI.
The with assistance from APDRP/CPRI/CBIP/BIS etc., should come out with INDIA specific
Objects in DLMS, if it is found that the standard DLMS features cannot address any India
specific issues. It should be however noted that globally, intelligence in the meter to detect
tampering, has reached a saturation point, since the meters themselves have limitations, to
the number of analysis it can do, and the number of parameters on which it can do analysis.
Hence loading the meter with more capabilities that are very specific in nature results in a
non-standard product in the long run, which becomes costly to the utility and does not still
fully satisfy its requirements.
Effective control of losses as well as theft and tampering data can be obtained, by
increasing the metering points along the distribution network, with implementation of
open AMR and Energy Management and Distribution Management Systems, which will
provide the utility with clear insight into the usage pattern of its customers and then arrive
at points where energy loss and theft happens and address this problems in a holistic and
systematic way
Advantage to Indian Industry

Adopting DLMS/COSEM by Indian Meter Manufacturers enable them to develop products,
which are future proof, and reduces integration costs, and enable the future applications
that enable proper monitoring and control of Electricity Distribution and Loss Reduction
in India, and the overall savings is tremendous.
The DLMS/COSEM if supported by Indian Manufacturers enable Indian Manufacturers to
compete on a level footing in the Global Markets. Also this enable the Indian Industry to
develop new and innovative applications integrating meters, for the evolving requirement
of energy savings, loss reduction, liberalized energy markets, energy trading etc.,
Also, with the increased use of Gas in the Indian Industry, this also provides for using the
meters for Gas/Water Metering applications in future, with a very similar protocol.

Automatic Meter Reading(AMR)
Automatic meter reading, or AMR, is the technology of automatically collecting
consumption, diagnostic, and status data from water meter or energy metering devices
(gas, electric) and transferring that data to a central database for billing, troubleshooting,
and analyzing. This technology mainly saves utility providers the expense of periodic trips
to each physical location to read a meter. Another advantage is that billing can be based on
near real-time consumption rather than on estimates based on past or predicted
consumption. This timely information coupled with analysis can help both utility providers
and customers better control the use and production of electric energy, gas usage, or water
consumption.
AMR technologies include handheld, mobile and network technologies based on telephony
platforms (wired and wireless), radio frequency (RF), or powerline transmission
Touch technology
With touch based AMR, a meter reader carries a handheld computer or data collection
device with a wand or probe. The device automatically collects the readings from a meter
by touching or placing the read probe in close proximity to a reading coil enclosed in the
touchpad. When a button is pressed, the probe sends an interrogate signal to the touch
module to collect the meter reading. The software in the device matches the serial number
to one in the route database, and saves the meter reading for later download to a billing or
data collection computer. Since the meter reader still has to go to the site of the meter, this
is sometimes referred to as "on-site" AMR. Another form of contact reader uses a
standardized infrared port to transmit data. Protocols are standardized between
manufacturers by such documents as ANSI C12.18 or IEC 61107.
AMR Hosting
AMR Hosting is a back-office solution which allows a user to track
his/her electricity, water, or gas consumption over the Internet. All data is collected in near
real-time, and is stored in a database by data acquisition software. The user can view the
data via a web application, and can analyze the data using various online analysis tools
such as charting load profiles, analyzing tariff components, and verify his/her utility bill.
Radio frequency network
Radio frequency based AMR can take many forms. The more common ones are handheld,
mobile, satellite and fixed network solutions. There are both two-way RF systems and one-
way RF systems in use that use both licensed and unlicensed RF bands.
In a two-way or "wake up" system, a radio transceiver normally sends a signal to a
particular transmitter serial number, telling it to wake up from a resting state and transmit
its data. The meter attached transceiver and the reading transceiver both send and receive
radio signals and data. In a one-way bubble-up or continuous broadcast type system, the
transmitter broadcasts readings continuously every few seconds. This means the reading
device can be a receiver only, and the meter AMR device a transmitter only. Data travel one
way, from the meter AMR transmitter to the meter reading receiver. There are also hybrid
systems that combine one-way and two-way technologies, using one-way communication
for reading and two-way communication for programming functions.
RF-based meter reading usually eliminates the need for the meter reader to enter the
property or home, or to locate and open an underground meter pit. The utility saves money
by increased speed of reading, has lower liability from entering private property, and has
less chance of missing reads because of being locked out from meter access.
The technology based on RF is not readily accepted everywhere. In several Asian countries,
the technology faces a barrier of regulations in place pertaining to use of the radio
frequency of any radiated power. For example, in India the radio frequency which is
generally in ISM band is not free to use even for low power radio of 10 mW. The majority of
manufacturers of electricity meters have radio frequency devices in the frequency band of
433/868 MHz for large scale deployment in European countries. The frequency band of
2.4 GHz can be now used in India for outdoor as well as indoor applications, but few
manufacturers have shown products within this frequency band. Initiatives in radio
frequency AMR in such countries are being taken up with regulators wherever the cost of
licensing outweighs the benefits of AMR.
Handheld
In handheld AMR, a meter reader carries a handheld computer with a built-in or attached
receiver/transceiver (radio frequency or touch) to collect meter readings from an AMR
capable meter. This is sometimes referred to as "walk-by" meter reading since the meter
reader walks by the locations where meters are installed as they go through their meter
reading route. Handheld computers may also be used to manually enter readings without
the use of AMR technology as an alternate but this will not support exhaustive data which
can be accurately read using the meter reading electronically.
Mobile
Mobile or "drive-by" meter reading is where a reading device is installed in a vehicle. The
meter reader drives the vehicle while the reading device automatically collects the meter
readings. Often, for mobile meter reading, the reading equipment includes navigational and
mapping features provided by GPS and mapping software. With mobile meter reading, the
reader does not normally have to read the meters in any particular route order, but just
drives the service area until all meters are read. Components often consist of a laptop or
proprietary computer, software, RF receiver/transceiver, and external vehicle antennas.
Fixed network
Fixed Network AMR is a method where a network is permanently installed to capture
meter readings. This method can consist of a series of antennas, towers, collectors,
repeaters, or other permanently installed infrastructure to collect transmissions of meter
readings from AMR capable meters and relay the data to a central computer, without a
person in the field to collect it.
There are several types of network topologies in use to get the meter data back to a central
computer. A star network is the most common, where a meter transmits its data to a
central collector or repeater. Some systems use only collectors which receive and store
data for processing. Others also use a repeater which forwards a reading from a more
remote area back to a main collector without actually storing it. A repeater may be
forwarded by RF signal or sometimes is converted to a wired network such as telephone
or IP network to get the data back to a collector.
Some manufacturers are developing mesh networks where meters themselves act as
repeaters by passing the data to nearby meters until these data eventually end up at a main
collector. The Swedish city of Gothenburg is having their electric meters connected in this
manner, using the ZigBee protocol.
[1]
A mesh network may save the infrastructure of many
collection points, but is more data intensive on the meters. One issue with mesh networks
is that battery operated ones may need more power for the increased frequency of
transmitting. It also requires that the meter devices be receivers as well as transmitters,
thereby potentially making individual transceiver cost higher. However, the additional cost
may be outweighed by the savings of multiple collectors and repeater antennas and finding
places to mount them.
Some fixed network systems are also capable of being installed as a hybrid AMR
system where mobile and fixed network are intermixed by design. In a hybrid system, part
of the system is read by fixed network, and parts may read by mobile or other technology,
or both. Utilities with low-density rural areas may not cost justify the fixed network
infrastructure for parts of their service area, using it only for higher density zones or
commercial accounts. Some hybrid networks allow reading of a meter by both methods
concurrently as a source of redundancy. In the event of a failure of the network due a
natural disaster, sabotage, power failure, or other network interruption, the mobile reading
system is available in their disaster recovery plan as an alternative means of data collection
to the fixed network.
Satellite
Satellite transmitters can be installed in the field next to existing meters. The satellite AMR
devices communicates with the meter for readings, and then sends those readings over a
fixed or mobile satellite network. This networks requires a clear view to the sky for the
satellite transmitter/receiver, but eliminates the need to install fixed towers or send out
field technicians, thereby being particularly suited for areas with low geographic meter
density.
RF technologies commonly used for AMR
Narrow Band (single fixed radio frequency)
Spread Spectrum
Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
There are also meters using AMR with RF technologies such as cellular phone data
systems, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wavenis and others. Some systems operate with U.S. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) licensed frequencies and others under FCC Part 15,
which allows use of unlicensed radio frequencies.
Wi-Fi
WiSmart is an example of a versatile platform which can be attached to a variety of
electrical home appliances in order to provide wireless TCP/IP communication over Wi-Fi
802.11 b/g means.
Devices such as the Smart Thermostat permit the utility to adjust a home's environment to
match electricity available.
The city of Corpus Christi became one of the first cities in the United States to implement
city wide Wi-Fi, which had been free until May 31, 2007, mainly to facilitate AMR after a
meter reader was attacked by a dog.
[2]
Today many
[which?]
meters are designed to transmit
using Wi-Fi, even if a Wi-Fi network is not available, and they are read using a drive-by
local Wi-Fi hand held receiver.
The meters installed in Corpus Christi are not directly Wi-Fi enabled, but rather transmit
narrow-band burst telemetry on the 460 MHz band. This narrow-band signal has a much
greater range than Wi-Fi, so the number of receivers required for the project are far fewer
than the number of Wi-Fi access points covering the same area. These special receiver
stations then take in the narrow-band signal and report their data via Wi-Fi.
Most of the automated utility meters installed in the Corpus Christi area are battery
powered. Compared to narrow-band burst telemetry, Wi-Fi technology uses far too much
power for long-term battery-powered operation.

Power line communication
PLC is a method where electronic data is transmitted over power lines back to the
substation, then relayed to a central computer in the utility's main office. This would be
considered a type of fixed network systemthe network being the distribution network
which the utility has built and maintains to deliver electric power. Such systems are
primarily used for electric meter reading. Some providers have interfaced gas and water
meters to feed into a PLC type system.
Advanced AMR and AMI
Originally AMR devices just collected meter readings electronically and matched them with
accounts. As technology has advanced, additional data could then be captured, stored, and
transmitted to the main computer, and often the metering devices could be controlled
remotely. This can include events alarms such as tamper, leak detection, low battery, or
reverse flow. Many AMR devices can also capture interval data, and log meter events. The
logged data can be used to collect or control time of use or rate of use data that can be used
for water or energy usage profiling, time of use billing, demand forecasting, demand
response, rate of flow recording,leak detection, flow monitoring, water and energy
conservation enforcement, remote shutoff, etc.Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI is
the new term coined to represent the networking technology of fixed network meter
systems that go beyond AMR into remote utility management. The meters in an AMI system
are often referred to as smart meters, since they often can use collected data based on
programmed logic.
The Automatic Meter Reading Association (AMRA) endorses the National Association of
Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) resolution to eliminate regulatory barriers to
the broad implementation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). The resolution,
passed in February 2007, acknowledged the role of AMI in supporting the implementation
of dynamic pricing and the resulting benefits to consumers. The resolution further
identified the value of AMI in achieving significant utility operational cost savings in the
areas of outage management, revenue protection and asset management. The resolution
also called for AMI business case analysis to identify cost-effective deployment strategies,
endorsed timely cost recovery for prudently incurred AMI expenditures and made
additional recommendations on rate making and tax treatment of such investments.
Benefits of advanced metering
Advanced metering systems can provide benefits for utilities, retail providers and
customers. Benefits will be recognized by the utilities with increased efficiencies, outage
detection, tamper notification and reduced labor cost as a result of automating reads,
connections and disconnects. Retail providers will be able to offer new innovative products
in addition to customizing packages for their customers. In addition, with the meter data
being readily available, more flexible billing cycles would be available to their customers
instead of following the standard utility read cycles. With timely usage information
available to the customer, benefits will be seen through opportunities to manage their
energy consumption and change from one REP to another with actual meter data. Because
of these benefits, many utilities are moving towards implementing some types of AMR
solutions.
In many cases, Smart Metering is required by law, with Pennsylvania's Act 129 (2008) an
example.
The benefits of smart metering for the utility.
Accurate meter reading, no more estimates
Improved billing
Accurate profile classes and measurement classes, true costs applied
Improved security and tamper detection for equipment
Energy management through profile data graphs
Less financial burden correcting mistakes
Less accrued expenditure
Transparency of cost to read metering
Improved procurement power though more accurate data - de-risking price
In cases of shortages, utility will be able to manage/allocate supply.
The benefits of smart metering for the customer.
Improved billing and tacking of usage.

Disadvantages of advanced metering
Utility can control amount allocated to users
Utility can remotely shut off users.
Loss of privacy - details of use reveal information about user activities
Greater potential for monitoring by other/unauthorized third parties
Reduced reliability (more complicated meters, more potential for interference by third
parties)
Increased security risks from network or remote access
Meter readers losing their jobs.







Conclusion

It is important to ensure that the Indian electrical metering industry and all its
stakeholders recognize and approve a common and open standard for metering
communications. This will result in large savings in time, money and ease of deployment of
advanced energy management and automation systems that will make the utility
competitive and profitable in the months and years to come.
This standard can rely on open standards like DLMS-COSEM adopted by IEC TC 57 or
follow a phase wise approach, with the Indian manufacturers opening up their
communication protocols for standardization, and developing an Indian standard, as a first
step, and later go in for a next version of the same, incorporating the best available in the
world at that time. However what is important at the moment to recognize that when India
is following the latest standards in a globalize scenario on all aspects of a utilitys business,
metering should not be left behind, since this is the most critical, and hence the first to be
opened up. Globally it is recognized that open systems are cheaper and have lesser
problems of security than closed systems and Indian story will in no way be different.