Successful Planning for

Transcription

1 New England Chapter NAWC Comparative Evaluation of Conversion Successful Planning for Technologies and Waste Export Disposal Options in King AMI County Washington April 23,2010 Jay Haas Senior Consultant Copyright 2010 by R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company All Rights Reserved.

2 Terminology AMR - Automated Meter Reading AMS Advanced Metering System AMI - Advanced Metering Infrastructure R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 2

3 What is AMI? Transmitters and/or receivers at the water meter Data collectors (fixed antenna or mobile) Communications system (moving data between the data collectors and a central computer) A central control computer Data storage Software to run the system, manage the data R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 3

4 Planning saves money and time, reduces risks, and enables transformation AMI is complex AMI is high profile AMI is expensive R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 4

5 Selected Planning Topics AMI Technology Procurement Strategies Deployment Strategies Business Case Managing Implementation Integrating AMR/AMI into Utility Operations R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 5

6 AMI Technology Fixed vs. Mobile, Mesh Networks, Hybrids, Migration Reading frequency, transmission frequency Transmission power, battery life Data collectors and repeaters Radio frequencies, licenses Backhaul communications Data security R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 6

7 Technology trend: Fixed rather than Mobile Increasing functionality Tamper flags Leak detection Abnormal use Unauthorized use Backflow detection Detailed consumption analysis Distribution system monitoring R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 7

8 Procurement strategies Low-Cost Bid, RFP Bundling AMI, meters, registers, labor Funding options buy, lease, outsource R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 8

9 Deployment Strategies Timing cash requirements and staff support vs. speeding benefits Prioritizing highest impact sites (hard-to-read locations, high complaint volume locations) Benefits of geographic density for contractor prices and in-house support staff New construction, meter investigation or maintenance calls. Effects on in-house meter reading and office workloads The last 10% R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 9

10 Business Case: Costs and Benefits Some benefits are easier to see and quantify Reduce cost of meter reading Fewer calls about estimated or high bills Some are harder Increased revenue if program replaces older meters Increased revenue if customers are more likely to pay a bill based on actual vs. estimated consumption Fewer accidents in the field Lower carbon footprint Benefit of having customers who trust your billing information, trust you R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 10

11 Business Case: Costs and Benefits Costs AMI equipment, computers, software QA/project management staff costs Field Support for vendor in basements with bad plumbing or angry customers Scrubbing data exposed by the project Public information campaign R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 11

12 Managing Implementation: More work before it becomes less New work Quality assurance/contract management Research data anomalies Customer inquiries Field support Worst case: not controlling quality of the physical installations or the data Lose control of the project and contractor Customers and Staff will not trust the data, will send trucks out to verify R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 12

13 Managing Implementation (cont d) Managing expectations Communication Plan for customers, public leaders, staff Formally managing risk R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 13

14 Integrating AMR/AMI into Utility Operations Meter Data Management System and existing IT systems AMI improves efficiency of Customer Service operations Redefining good customer service R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 14

15 Meter Data Management System and existing IT systems Possible Interfaces CIS Field work order system GIS Asset management Distribution system modeling On-line presentation of customer data Who will design/build/maintain the relationships? R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 15

16 AMI Improves Efficiency of Customer Service Operations Soft disconnect Real-time tampering and theft monitoring Low pressure and backflow monitoring Remote control shut-off valves Meter asset management Reduced field trips on high bills Neptune Tech Grp Datamatic R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 16

17 AMI Enables Utility to Provide Enhanced Information Consistent policies (e.g., alternate day sprinkling bans) Detailed consumption information (on-line) Potential customer-side leak detection Close to real time consumption information Datamatic R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 17

18 AMI Supports Customers Expanded Involvement and Self-Determination Proactive leak notification (threshold) Reading and billing frequency, date options Optional pricing schedules, rates Feedback on conservation initiatives Self-service R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 18

19 Enhanced Information is Foundation for Changes in Relationships Reduce routine service (e.g., re-reads) Expand extra-ordinary service (e.g., conservation audits) Expand services: Sub-metering Water budget/alarms Watchdog Analytical investigations and services R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 19

20 AMI Enables and Requires New Roles for Utility Customer Service Staff Old role utility as reactive doer Meter reading, investigations, etc. Utility reacts to customers needs and complaints Relatively undifferentiated service Hands-off customer relationships New role utility as proactive thinker Analysis of consumption Scanning for anomalies Differentiated service More intimate customer relationships Field audits R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 20

21 Questions Jay Haas (508) R. W. Beck, Inc. An SAIC Company 21