Mesh Networking for Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Introduction to Advanced
Metering Technology
EnergyAxis
Alaska Rural Energy Conference
September 23, 2014
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Introductions
Business Development
 Scott Durham – VP/General Manager West
 214.912.0671 (M)
 [email protected]
 Bridger Penttila – Region Director
 303-809-1666 (M)
 [email protected]
Solutions Architecture
 James Verlare Solutions Architect – Western US
 919.616.5041 (M)
 [email protected]
2
© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Agenda
• Elster Company Overview
• Elster the Preferred Rural AMI Provider
• EnergyAxis Overview
• Rural WAN Considerations
• Deriving value out of distribution network data
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Trusted, Strong and Global
20+ million
communicating meters
installed
200 million
7000+
installations since 2000
>115 AMI
systems
employees
38
7+ million
$2B
smart meters installed
revenues
major locations
Customers in 100
175 Years
countries
providing utility solutions
North America: #1 in
North
America: #1 in
number of AMI systems
number
of AMI
deployed
systems deployed
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Elster – Preferred Rural AMI Provider
•
Improving Customer Service & Quality of Service

•
+2M installed service control switches
 patented load side voltage detection deployed from Arizona to Alaska
Diverse Technology Mix to Address Obstacles

•
Reducing visits
Theft/Tamper Detection
Rich Distribution Network Applications
Low Maintenance

•
 Prepay
 Accurate real-time billing
 Remote service connect
Gaining Operational Efficiency


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•
Baseline Meter-to-cash
Capitalize on existing investments
Multiple Deployment Models


Managed Services
Owner Operated
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Elster’s EnergyAxis
Delivering AMI Solutions
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
EnergyAxis System
EnergyAxis
Management System
Gatekeepers
LAN
Ethernet, Fiber,
Private RF or
Cellular
WAN
Electric, Water & Gas
Elements
Gatekeepers
LAN
•
•
•
•
Architecture Basics
Distributed intelligence
Data redundancy
Flexible collection options
Easily expandable bandwidth
Gatekeeper
Gatekeepers read data from
meters on a schedule or
upon request & hold
multiple days of data for
data redundancy
(configurable)
Local data
storage at
each meter
True MultiUtility mesh
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
AMI Terminology
• Elements of an AMI Network
HAN
NAN
Standalone
Repeater
WAN
Enterprise
Network
meter/repeater
Meter Gatekeepers
Utility
Network
Remote Load
Control
Control
router firewalls
EA_MS
Standalone
Gatekeeper
GAS
DA &
Gatekeeper
Rich Distribution Management
Applications
Meters w/WAN
Direct connection
Owner Operated or Managed Services
© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Water
LV AGI
Devices
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EA_LAN (900 MHz Mesh Network)
•
•
•
Mesh devices do not require
direct line-of-sight to
gatekeeper
Repeaters provide path diversity
to communicate around local
obstacles
Elster controlled mesh network:
 Gatekeeper (GK) sets up the
local network using 902-928
MHz FHSS radio
communications
 Network is self healing
 Any electric device can be used
as a repeater
 A communication path can
have up to 15 repeaters
 LAN communications can be
encrypted
 Algorithms emphasize path
reliability to each device both
during and after registration
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Understanding Mesh Networks
Mesh Point-to-Multi-Point Networks
• Assumes obstacles
• Provides multiple paths around
obstructions
• Strengthens communications paths
• Greater placement diversity
Point-to-Point (Star) Networks
• Assumes good path – clear
line of site – high towers
• Obstructions require
multiple tower access
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Understanding Mesh Networks
• Historic Dynamic Mesh (for Battlefield conditions)
 Mesh path diversity provides reliable communications
when mobile
 All points equal with paths formed dynamically
 Approach is chatty (open to interference) to allow dynamic
paths
 Since all nodes are equal, any node can be a security risk
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Understanding Mesh Networks
• Deterministic Controlled Mesh – Elster Energy Axis
 Assumes nodes are stationary and a hierarchy can be
defined
 Best paths are defined or discovered, and used until no
longer best
 Algorithms emphasize reliability to each meter/device
 Since hierarchy, security is more easily controlled
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Understanding Mesh Networks
•
Meters are both meters and
repeaters

•
Runs periodically

•
Gatekeeper runs scan process
and registers them
Meters/Devices monitor for no
comms, then:

•
Continually improves comm
path
Meters/Devices broadcast, then:

•
GK Meter Registration begins
with closest meters, and works
outward
Broadcast to find new GK or
new path
Continual self healing
optimization

Primary and secondary paths
regularly utilized
Gatekeeper
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 16
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
EnergyAxis Gatekeeper
•
•
Primary functions:

Provides WAN communications interface between EA_
LAN devices and EA_Management System server

Synchronizes network time for devices, etc.

May be configured for up to 2048 electric devices and
2048 water/gas devices
Available in (3) forms:

Alpha A3 Metered Gatekeeper

Modular Non-Metered Gatekeeper

IP AxisLink Router
 Can provide standard A3 metering
 Single or Polyphase
 Demand, TOU, Reactive, Interval data
 Also provides battery backup
 Also provides robust WAN options
 Also provides battery backup
 Also provides DA/AMI optimized network control
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Energy Axis Repeater
•
•
•
•
Functions as a repeater in the EA_LAN
Allows elevated mounting to increase range
Lowers the cost to serve low-density areas
Supports stand-alone water and/or gas AMI
deployments
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
EnergyAxis AGI Nodes
• Family of EA-enabled grid
monitors and controllers
• Same data available as in REX or
A3_ILN
• Low Voltage AGInode
 Used as distribution overhead
or pad mount Transformer
Monitor
 Adaptable current sensor
assembly with integrated
voltage attachment
 Measures 240 V above ground
and pad mount distribution
transformer secondary
 Data aggregation point for
measurement of load losses
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
A3 Alpha PolyPhase – C&I
The A3 has been the standard of high end metering
for decades…
•
Energy Metering

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•
Instrumentation profiling
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•
32 channels of over 50 values
Per phase voltage, current and angles
Harmonic and demand distortions
Average PF
PQM

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•
Advanced four-quadrant metering
Up to 6 Metering quantities, 2 Power Factor,
4 Coincident
Demand - KW / KVAR / KVA - Block, Rolling,
Coincident
Up to 8 channels of LP interval data –
5/15/30/60 minute
4 tier 4 season TOU energy & demand
Reactive kVA or kVAR
Per phase voltage reads
Configurable Status / Warnings / Error Flags
Outage and Restoration Notification, Outage
count
Log times & test values
Over 30 different tests
•
Complete outage monitoring

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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ethernet
Cellular
Radio
Fiber
Outage notification with “Last gasp”
Outage count and outage duration
Time / date stamp of outage events (interval
data record)
Restoration notification
Lithium TOU battery maintains system time in
case of an outage
High accuracy internal clock
Remotely configure Load profile,
Instrumentation profiling, & TOU
OTA Flash upgrade
End-to-End Encryption
Fully Programmable
Meter Options


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3G Cellular, Ethernet, Elster 900MHz, RS485,
ITM
Relay control for AGI Remote Load Control
KYZ
External antenna
Trans & Line Loss Compensation
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
REX2 – Residential
The power of AMI begins with a feature
packed smart end-point
•
Energy Metering

2 energy quantities
•



 KWh consumption (delivered, received,
net or sum)
 kVARh or kVAh consumption

Demand
 4 tier TOU demand



3 demand registers (total and per tariff)
4-tier 4 season TOU (holidays, weekends,
etc.)
4 consumption channels (5, 15, 30, or 60
minute interval)
 2 sets with independent interval
lengths
•
Voltage Monitoring on RMS Voltages
w/Events

•
During every billing read, instantaneous
every 5, 10, 15 min or on request
Complete outage monitoring

•
•
•
•
•
•
Outage notification with “Last gasp”
Outage count and outage duration
Time / date stamp of outage events
(interval data record)
Restoration notification
No battery required
Robust tamper detection
OTA Flash upgrade
End-to-End Encryption
Lowest Watt Burden in the industry
Meter Options

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
Elster 900Mz
200 Amp disconnect
ZigBee SEP 1.0
Multiple Radios


Elster 900MHz mesh
ZigBee SEP 1.0
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
REX Universal – Residential, Small Business
Ethernet
Cellular
Radio
Fiber
The power of AMI begins with a feature packed smart end-point
•
Energy Metering
–
4 energy quantities
•
•
–
Voltage Monitoring on RMS Voltages w/Events
Instrumentation
–
–
6 channels
Per phase voltage with threshold alerts
•
•
Current and previous period readings; midnight snapshots
Ave, Min, Max, End
Software Definable Radio
–
–
–
Communication Protocols
Radio power output
Radio communication rate
Complete outage monitoring
–
–
–
–
–
4 tier TOU demand, block or rolling block
3 demand registers (total and per tariff)
4-tier 4 season TOU with CPP support
4 consumption channels (5, 15, 30, or 60 minute interval)
•
•
•
2 total only + 2 total & 4 tier TOU
KWh, kVARh or kVAh consumption (delivered, received,
delivered + received, delivered – received)
2 demand quantities
•
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–
–
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Outage notification with “Last gasp”
Outage count and outage duration
Time / date stamp of outage events (interval data record)
Restoration notification
Extended radio communication & clock carryover
No battery required
Robust tamper detection
Remote temperature sensing
Comprehensive Remote configuration
OTA Flash upgrade
End-to-End Encryption
Lowest Watt Burden in the industry
Meter Options
–
–
–
3G Cellular, Ethernet IPv6, Elster 900Mz
200 Amp disconnect
ZigBee SEP 2.0
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
EnergyAxis REX2/REXU Remote Disconnect
• Fully integrated 200A disconnect
switch
• Same meter profile as nondisconnect
• Designed for safety
 Switch will not close if load side
voltage is detected
• Applications:

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


Improve Collections
Move-Ins / Move-Outs
Demand Limiting
Prepayment
Employee Safety
• Elster has the most disconnect
meters in service
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
EnergyAxis Functions & Integration
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Rural WAN Considerations
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Elster Gatekeeper WAN Solutions
• Metered Gatekeepers
 A Gatekeeper “under the glass” of an A3 Alpha Meter
 3G Cellular (AT&T & Verizon)
 Ethernet 10 base-T RJ45
 ITM4 (Internal Telephone Modem)
• EnergyAxis IP AxisLink Router
 A Gatekeeper as part of the IP AxisLink router
 Ethernet 10/100 base-T RJ45
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Elster Gatekeeper WAN Solutions
•
Modular Non-Metered Gatekeepers (Model 2200)

Ethernet 10 Base-T RJ45


Fiber Optic



Bring your own Sierra Wireless GX440 2.4GHz radio, and Elster installation kit. This radio installs in the GK
cabinet and takes advantage of the GK battery backup to power the radio. The radio acts as a WiFi client. It
connects to the Ethernet port
Public Cellular – 4G/3.5G/3G/2G (up to 20Mbps)


Bring your own Tropos Mesh 2.4GHz WiFi radio/router. This radio installs on the utility pole and does not take
advantage of the GK battery backup to power the radio. It connects to the Ethernet port
Public Spectrum – 2.4GHz Radio (up to 10Mbps)


Bring your own or order through Elster, a CalAmp Phantom II 900MHz radio, and Elster installation kit. This
radio installs in the GK cabinet and takes advantage of the GK battery backup to power the radio. It connects
to the Ethernet port.
You can configure your CalAmp 900MHz radio to be used in a Mesh, P2P or Multipoint configuration
Public Spectrum – 2.4GHz Radio (up to 10Mbps)


Bring your WAN directly to the GK with your own supplied Media Converter which you can house in the GK
cabinet
Public Spectrum – 900MHz Radio (up to 1.2Mbps)


Bring your WAN directly to the GK with your own supplied 10/100 Base-T RJ45 twisted pair cable
Bring your own or order through Elster, a Sierra Wireless GX440 or GX400 AT&T, Verizon, Rogers, Bell Mobility,
Telus, or Viaero radio, and Elster installation kit. This radio installs in the GK cabinet and takes advantage of
the GK battery backup to power the radio. It connects to the Ethernet port
Private Spectrum – 200, 800 or 900MHz Radio. You will need to apply to and
license through the FCC for spectrum (up to 65Kbps)

Bring your own or order through Elster, a General Electric MDS series SD2, or SD9 radio, and Elster installation
kit. This radio installs in the GK cabinet and takes advantage of the GK battery backup to power the radio. It
connects to the Ethernet port (in process of productization)
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© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
WAN Business Case
• Factors to consider:

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WAN technology availability in your area
Multi-service/purpose justifications
LAN/FAN designs/plans
Cost per/meter served across LAN/FAN and WAN
designs
M2M cellular data plans vary widely
Security
Installation, Training & Staffing
Operations & Management
Region-ality
• Elster provides a wide array of options to meet
your design requirements whether using a single
WAN technology or a mixed environment
25
© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Summary
• Great AMI Infrastructure
 Allows a Utility to:
 Improve customer service for basic meter-to-cash with accurate
billing
 Improve quality of service thru real-time network monitoring
 Gain Operational Efficiency




Reducing visits
Theft/Tamper Detection
Remote disconnect
Voltage Monitoring & Outage
 So that the Utility can focus on:
 Deriving value out of distribution network data
 Implement and take advantage of rich Distribution Management
Network Applications




Advanced Load Management
Outage Management
Volt/VAR Management
Transformer Monitoring & Management
26
© 2014 by Elster. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary
Thank you
James Verlare
Elster Solutions
[email protected]

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