20031223Phase One Implementation Plan.pdf

IDAHO POWER COMPANY
O. BOX 70
BOISE, IDAHO 83707
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BARTON L. KLINE
Senior Attorney
An IDACORP Company
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December 23, 2003
Ms. Jean D. Jewell, Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington Street
O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Re:Case No. IPC-02-
Idaho Power Company s Compliance Filing
Dear Ms. Jewell:
In compliance with Order No. 29362 issued on October 24 2003
enclosed herewith for filing with the Commission are an original and seven (7) copies of
Idaho Power Company s Advanced Meter Reading Phase One Implementation Plan.
I would appreciate it if you would return a stamped copy of this transmittal
letter for our files in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope.
Very truly yours
Barton L. Kline
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Enclosu res
Service List w/enclosure
Telephone [phone] Fax [phone] Email BKlinelftJidahopower.com
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An IDACORP company
Advanced Meter Reading
Phase One Implementation Plan
December 2003
Background
Idaho Public Utilities Commission (the Commission) Order No. 29362
dated October 24, 2003, directed Idaho Power Company to collaboratively
develop a Phase One Implementation Plan for the installation of an advanced
meter reading (AMR) system in selected service areas by December 31 2004. A
collaborative workshop to gather input from interested parties was held on
Tuesday, December 2 , 2003. Company and Staff personnel, vendors , and
interested individuals were in attendance.
Operating Areas to be included in Phase One
AMR will be installed in the Emmett and McCall operating areas. The
different characteristics of each of these areas will provide the opportunity to
evaluate the capabilities of AMR under different geographic and climatic
conditions. The composition of customers in the Emmett area is very
representative of the Company as a whole while the McCall area is
predominately composed of residential customers. Geographically the Emmett
area is part of the Treasure Valley while the McCall area is more mountainous
and more rural. Outside of the Treasure Valley, the McCall area is the
Company s fastest growing area. Finally, consumption reaches its peak during
the summer in the Emmett area and during the winter in the McCall area.
Approximately 10,500 metered service points are included in the Emmett
operating area and approximately 13 000 metered service points are included in
the McCall operating area.
Features to be Evaluated
Idaho Power Company will evaluate several capabilities inherent in the
AMR technology. The specific capabilities that will be evaluated are:
Inteqration of AMR Readinqs into Billinq Process Customer billings will
be generated from the meter readings obtained through the AMR system.
Therefore it is critical that the equipment function properly and the information
transmitted be accurate. Idaho Power Company will evaluate the changes in
business processes resulting from the implementation of AMR and the
integration of the new technology into daily operations.
Theft Detection . Idaho Power Company will evaluate the theft detection
capabilities of AMR and any impact on business processes resulting from the
integration of these capabilities into Idaho Power Company s current theft
detection program.
Outaqe Confirmation.Idaho Power Company will evaluate the integration
of AMR into its current outage management processes and system.
Other Features to be Considered
In addition to the specific features to be evaluated during Phase One
Idaho Power Company will look for other capabilities enabled by AMR that might
be beneficial. Among the initial features that will be considered are:
voltage monitoring
potential to improve distribution planning, engineering, and
operation
remote disconnection and reconnection
Idaho Power Company will also identify and implement ways to provide
customers included in Phase One with information regarding their energy usage.
Other Projects following Phase One Implementation
Following the implementation of the basic AMR equipment and the
collection of base line data from the customers included in Phase One , Idaho
Power Company will investigate and file with the Commission load control and
time-of-use pricing projects (including critical peak time-of-use pricing) that utilize
the AMR technology.
Meter Data to be Collected
Hourly usage data for each customer included in Phase One will be
collected in order to provide base line information for evaluation purposes.
Implementation Timetable
Idaho Power is currently negotiating contracts with various vendors for the
delivery of the equipment necessary to begin the AMR installation in the Emmett
and McCall areas. Barring any unforeseen problems which may cause a delay in
the delivery of the equipment from the various vendors or a delay in the ability of
contractors to install the metering equipment, Idaho Power Company will strive to
have all equipment installed in the Emmett area by June 1 , 2004 so that the
collection of the hourly data can begin on that date. Idaho Power Company will
target the completion of the installation for the McCall area by November 1 , 2004
with the collection of the hourly data to begin on that date as well. Based on the
information collected , Idaho Power Company will investigate potential load
control and time-of-use pricing projects that have the potential to provide value in
the two operating areas. The targeted implementation dates for any programs
submitted by Idaho Power and approved by the Commission will be June 1 , 2005
in the Emmett area and November 1 , 2005 in the McCall area.