8-IJAEST-Volume-No-2-Issue-No-1-A-new-approach-for-design-and-implementation-of-AMR-in-Smart-Meter-0 by ISERP ISERP

Ms.Priya S.Kamble et al. / (IJAEST) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES Vol No. 2, Issue No. 1, 056 - 060

A new approach for design and implementation of AMR in Smart Meter Ms.Sonali T.Bodkhe Head of Department Department of Information Technology G.H.Raisoni College of Engineering,Nagpur

(A). Need to make optimum use of grid infrastructure:

Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution is the last remaining mega sector which provides a critical service to customers without having real-time feedback about how its services are utilized at its termination points. In other words, power is generated at the source without any real-time data from where it is used. The utility system has traditionally operated as an open loop where no realtime data has been captured on instantaneous demand, consumption profiles, system performance, etc. This means that Power Companies generate power at the top peak of their anticipated demand and an blindly push it downstream to termination points. If the generated power is less than the actual demand, then there would be black-outs. And if it is more than the aggregated demand, then the excess power is burnt in dummy loads.

Abstract-This paper elucidates a current measurement method for wide range residual current measurement. The paper discusses Automated Meter Reading, a technology used to automate the task of reading consumption records of subscribers. The problem is first defined in terms of Utilities, critical infrastructure needs, revenue protection and operational efficiencies. Various drivers as well as impediments within such scopes are the defined. Moreover, different technologies proposed and implemented are discussed. The paper concludes by capturing the conclusions obtained and suggestions for further improvements of such technologies for future applications.

Ms.Priya S.Kamble M.E IVth Semester (Embedded System & Computing) Department of Computer Science & Engineering G.H.Raisoni College of Engineering,Nagpur priyak5685@gmail.com

Keywordsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Automated Meter Reading, Advanced Meter Management (AMM), Advanced Metering Infrastructure

I.INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Although there are a variety of industry definitions, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) generally is regarded as the reading of a utility meter by a means that does not require physical access or visual inspection of the meter. Utility companies across the world are experiencing the need for a major technological evolution in their day-to-day dayoperational systems. A variety of factors are contributing to the drive to overhaul the entire system, tools and processes. AMR system provides residents access to their consumption of water, gas and power meter remotely. At the same time the management department can analyze these real-time and accuracy meter data in order to make optimal resource distribution for future use. The key to successful AMR system depends on adopting which communication tools. Obviously the remote communication channel can be either GPRS/RF or fiber network based on the public service network. It can ensure remote transmission reliable and fluent without any maintenance fee.

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(B). Need to change pricing model: To achieve balanced loading across the distribution system and reduce peak demand cycles, customers need to be enticed to change their consumption behavior. This can only be done through multi-tariff pricing of electricity service. Consumption shall thus be charged differently based on the time it has occurred. Consumption during peak hours is penalized by charging a higher tariff, while outside peak hours the tariffs could be considerably less. (C) Improved fraud detection: AMR allows utilities to detect whether or not a meter has been tampered with or if wires have been cut at the meter. The system will flag the account with a code notifying the meter reader to investigate the single.

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Ms.Priya S.Kamble et al. / (IJAEST) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES Vol No. 2, Issue No. 1, 056 - 060

This article reviews the technical features of automatic meter read (AMR) systems for residential small commercial natural gas meters, including a look at the new static gas meters. AMR systems are today quite widespread for electrical residential meters, but are still in an experimental (pilot projects) stage for other applications in utility meters, such as natural gas residential and small commercial meters. AMR systems allow the recording of gas consumption in an efficient way with some important advantages for the overall gas system, both for the provider and for the user. The main AMR benefits for the customer are: * Convenience. Meter readers are eliminated * Efficiency. The AMR system eliminates estimated meter reads; and * Accuracy. The electronic unit of AMR, equipped with a reliable encoder technology, is more accurate than manual (or semi-manual) meter reads, thereby eliminating human errors.

Conventional meter reading is a labor-intensive process and can represent a considerable percentage of a utility's operating cost. In addition to the labor component, ancillary elements such as vehicle costs, insurance claims, uniforms, etc. are recurring costs that can be avoided by using a technology solution. Further, in many areas public utility commissions have placed limitations on the number of times that a utility can estimate a meter reading. Implementation of real-time pricing: Variable rate tariffs based on the time of day can be used to encourage consumers to shift their consumption of valuable resources to off-peak hours, while also discouraging the usage during peak hours. This enables energy producers to reduce the maximum capacity of their plant and therefore achieve a better return on capital. read-to-bill Reduced read-to readto-bill time:

read-to-bill AMR allows utilities to reduce their readtime, by tightly integrating the meter data capture and billing process. In many cases, improved meter data acquisition permits utilities to increase billing frequency or offer more billing options to their customers.

New enablers such as automated meter reading (AMR) can be applied to capture and leverage information to help utilities proactively achieve these competitive objectives. Advanced capabilities such as predictive analysis, simulation tools, contingency analysis and network monitoring can go far in giving utilities the power to be successful. Automated meter reading systems are an attractive technology chnology for cutting costs while increasing speed and control of metering activities. When organizations, such as utilities, military installations, large industrial parks and school districts consider automated meter reading technology, they discover most available systems carry high initial capital costs. Organizations that purchase systems without first evaluating the full costs and benefits often find they are locked into a technology that accomplishes less than they need.

Reduced meter reading costs:

II. LITERATURE SURVEY

AMR offers both utilities and their customer's key tangible benefits. Benefits of AMR to utilities include: 

Reduced meter reading costs



Ability to access difficult-to-read meters difficult-

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Improved customer service

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Reduced percentage of estimated bills

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Improved meter reader safety

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Implementation of real-time pricing

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Reduced read-to-bill time

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Distribution automation

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Improved fraud detection

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Distribution automation:

AMR can allow utilities to provide better customer service by enabling a greater level of functionality over their distribution network, including: remote credits to pre-payment meters, remote connect/disconnect services, tamper/leak detection and outage notification. Improved fraud detection:

AMR allows utilities to detect whether or not a meter has been tampered with or if wires have been cut at the meter. The system will flag the account with a code notifying the meter reader to investigate the situation. III. PROBLEM DEFINITION The AMR system is composed of collector, concentrator and central station. The collector is data acquisition module used for collecting every household’s energy meters data and then sending it to the concentrator based on units. It also has the function of sending the alarm about power failure or tampering of meters or any other accidental events happen. The alarm or report must be sent to the concentrator with minimum latency in order to notify the remote missionary of power management instantly. Traditionally, Utility companies have faced difficulties in embracing Automation in most of their operational environment. While the need for modern Billing and Accounting systems had forced Utilities to modernize their back-office systems, the front-end of the system has seen almost no change in the

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Ms.Priya S.Kamble et al. / (IJAEST) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES Vol No. 2, Issue No. 1, 056 - 060

operational procedures, tools and systems in the past 100 years. In most utilities across the globe, consumption records of customers are still recorded by utility staff using pen and paper (or lately by Hand Held Computers and PDA’s) and inputted off-line into Utility’s backend systems. Accounting and Billing, however, are somewhat exception to the fact as these tasks are to a large extent automated.

Manual Meter reading:

Commercial Implications 1. Conveying tamper recording remains on the meter reader’s loyalty. 2. No clue on demand/ over drawls by the consumer. 3. Delay in meter readings, delay bills, delayed revenue, delay in cash-flow.

IV. AUTOMATED METER READING (AMR)

V. CURRENT MANUAL SYSTEM

VI. TECHNOLOGIES USED IN AMR AMR can be implemented using a variety of technologies. Depending on the scope, available infrastructure and network topologies, many chnologies could be employed to realize AMR technologies systems. Generally however, these technologies are divided into three groups:

Consumption records of customers are generally kept in terminal devices inside the premises of customers. These terminals, generally known as meters, are overwhelmingly Electromechanical. By virtue of being electromechanical, such meters present utilities with the various challenges.

(a). Legacy Options:

These comprise traditionally available technologies used in communication systems today, such as POTS (Plain Old Telephone System), Public Wireless (Paging, GSM, CDMA, GPRS, etc) and Satellite (Low Orbit Communication Satellites). (b). Broadband Options: Options:

Newer technologies used for large bandwidth data communication such as Broadband over Power lines (BPL) and Wireless Broadband (Wi-Fi, WiMax, etc).

Let’s try to expand the problems in manual meter reading on the following resources: 1. Meter reading resource: Time

1. Time to access the site.

2. Time to read the meter manually. 2. Meter reading resource: Accuracy/re work/Manpower cost.

Accuracy of noting the readings.

Chances of errors while reading.

Errors while recording what was read.

Errors during data entry.

resource: 3.. Meter reading resource:

Hard to access meters: (any meter which takes more than 15 minutes to access) 1.

Rural accounts

Indoor meters

Obstacles

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Options: (c).Cost-Effective Options (c).Cost-Effective

These are the technologies of choice for low bandwidth; cost sensitive applications using Private Wireless (licensed & unlicensed ISM Band) and (PLC). Narrowband Power Line Communication (PLC) Legacy technologies are Capable of supporting large scale AMM projects and can access geographically dispersed meters via dial-up or dedicated/shared lines. On the flip side, such links are expensive to secure and operate in many locations and countries. While for large industrial customers, or collection of meters, using phones lines to access meter might be justifiable, assigning a single phone line to a residential meter does not make economic sense. WAEPD has equipped 12 meters installed in remote, difficult to pass mountains with this type of AMR. Most of these meters are inaccessible during 6 months of year due to heavy snow and harsh climate conditions. Broadband options, on the other hand, provide large communication bandwidth and use commercially available components and Cutting Edge Technologies and Standards. However, such systems prove to be too expensive for AMM applications. They can only be justified if Utilities plan to venture into providing their customers with services other than Power (e.g. Video On Demand, IP Telephony, Video Surveillance, High Speed Internet, Etc). Unlicensed spread spectrum or licensed

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Ms.Priya S.Kamble et al. / (IJAEST) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES Vol No. 2, Issue No. 1, 056 - 060

narrowband technology is proven to be the technology of choice for AMR applications. In this technology, the communication between Meters and Data Collectors are done thru peer to peer radio links, where radio coverage is determined by RF technology and permitted power dissipation. VII. AMR USING RF Automated Meter Reading System consists of the following 4 components: 1. Energy Meter 2. Interfacing Device 3. Data Communication Media

1. Energy Meter:

4. Remote PC with compatible software

System Architecture of AMR

2. Interfacing Device:

It is a device which takes out readings from meter and passes those readings to the remote pc through communication media. It also consists of a circuit which can switch ON/OFF power supply of customer.

The billing system is based on reading meters every 2 months and sending printed power consumption bills to subscribers by utility staff. According to field studies about 20 percent of meters can't be read because of closed doors and limited hours of reading through daytime. (A.) Selection Criteria:

The two most important tasks of the selection process were the selection of AMR technology and the selection of metering equipment. (1). Selection of Technology:

3.. Data Communication Media: Media:

VIII. FEATURES AND PARAMETERS VIII.

Energy meter is a device which is used to measure the energy consumed by the customer .Basically energy meter is of two types Electro-Mechanical meter and Digital meter. Now a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital meters are used because they are having high accuracy, with limited control and theft detection capability at nodes.

The selected technology had to meet the following requirements:

a. Wired Communication:

(a) Easy to integrate and synergize with the current working system of the utility

Power lines, phone lines, dedicated lines.

(b) Able to be deployed quickly

b. Wireless Communication:

For transporting the data from the energy meter to the Host PC a communication media is necessary. Communication can be done by two ways,

RF, GSM, GPRS.

Service provider can use any communication media service depending upon the services available to the servic provider.

4. Remote PC with compatible software: The heart of the meter reading station is the Meter Reading Software which resides in the PC at the Meter Reading Station. It is a standalone system which is responsible for collecting meter reading, storing them to the data base, calculation of bills, switching ON/OFF of power supply, and providing analysis facility.

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(d) No special training should be required for the utility staff. The learning curve for the utility must be steep. (e)No special resources should be required to supervise and control the pilot (f)No disruptions and/or undue burdens upon the current practice and processes as a result of the pilot roll out. (g)Minimal regulatory clearances, if needed (2).Selection of metering equipment: The following criteria were applied while selecting the appropriate metering device for the pilot

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Ms.Priya S.Kamble et al. / (IJAEST) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES Vol No. 2, Issue No. 1, 056 - 060

(a)Ability to work in harsh weather conditions (b)Ability to work in harsh and unpredictable electric conditions (c)Ability to detect and record specific events

of data for analysis. The duration of the pilot was set at 3 months with a further extension of 3 months if desired. As can be concluded from the table, the solution provided to the utility was quite unique, specially tailored to their needs.

(d)Accuracy of Class of operation to be equal or better than existing (e)Tamper Resistant (f)Should be able to provide a wider set of measurements than the existing meters (g)Soft Connect/Disconnect (Ability to cut off/restore service to customer remotely and without the need to manipulate physical wirings or components

IX. APPLICATION 

Automatic per day bill generation and monitoring of meter

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Used for water meter control and monitoring system

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Industrial electrical energy conservation

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Used for distribution and maintains in supply sector

(a). Ability to reduce the number of unread meters in each cycle (b).Estimate loss of revenue (c).Provide extensive data for analysis

X.CONCLUSIONS

Regarding low efficiency of traditional meters management, among them: high costs of gathering information, the need to be at the meter's installing location and low accuracy due to the man's role in data aggregation; it would be unavoidable to develop automated meter reading and management as a part of a larger automated network..The data was collected and analyzed every 2 weeks. As the new AMR digital meters were installed in series with the conventional electromechanical ones their records were compared. All the 50 installed meters responded to the commands. The least connecting distance was of a meter enclosed in a metal box behind two walls in an Indoor situation and the farthest connecting distance belonged to a meter installed outdoor behind a house wall. Time needed to get the last consumption records is 15 seconds which is 1/4 of the time needed to reach inside a house and read the meter.

(d).Estimate time saved in reading each meter

(B). Performance Criteria:

(e).Help utility upgrade the skills of its staff

(f).Able to sufficiently and practically demonstrate the benefits of AMR

(C). Selection of technology and metering instrument:

Keeping the above guidelines in view, it was concluded that the process of collection of data must be as close to present system as possible. It should be possible for any member of the utility staff to install the meters, without applying any complex procedure or using any sophisticated equipment. It was therefore decided to choose Wireless walk-by walk-by meter reading system. The selection of this method of data collection would function very well in a system where there would be a mixture of manually read meters and remotely read AMR equipped meters. Regulatory constraints limited the choice of using ISM band RF frequencies. The usage of 2.4 GHz was dropped due to weak penetration of radio signals into concrete walls and shorter "reach" distances as compared to sub-GHZ bands.433 MHz band was chosen over 868 MHz band due to relatively simple regulatory norms as well as easy availability of components. In order to make installation and deployment simple, all the constituent components of the system, (metering instrument, and wireless communication system and control mechanism) were packaged in single chassis. This made it easy to install the AMR meter without the need for additional wiring or equipment. It was decided not to mix different types of systems in the first stage, and hence the scope of the pilot was limited to single phase installations. The number of installations was chosen to be 50 so as to be manageable and yet provide a reasonable amount

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XI. REFERENCES [1] Wei Yang, Yue Zhuo,Corporation Technology,Siemens Ltd., (China),Shanghai, China “A residual current measurement method with a combination of MR and Hall Effect sensors.” 978-14244-7374-8/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE [2] Ali Bahramiazar, “Automated Meter Reading Using RF Technology”. [3] Richard Chi-Hsi Li, “Key Issues in RF and RFIC Circuit Design,” book, 2005. [4] H.G.RodneyTan,C.H.Lee, “Automatic Power Reading Meter Using GSM Network”, 978-981-059423-7 c_ 2007 GRPS.

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