20030818Revised Comments.pdf

LANI:IS+GYR INC,
I? e-il f S efJ l11fj,l ~
(liu~(d eo.r//ht;
~ -
11tt1.4 fIJ/-!h(J ~ttch frh er.fs- .
FACSIMIL TRANSMITTAL SHEET
Ichbo Public Utility Commission
COMPANY:
FROM:
Kate O'BrienTO:
DATE:
8/15/2003
FAX roIUMBEIl:
208-334-3762
TOTAL NO. OF PAGES INCLUDING COV:ER.:
pHONE NUMBER:SENDER'S REFERENCE NUMBER:
RoE:YOUR REFERENCE NUMBER.:
Case No. IPC-02-
0 URGENT ItJ FOR REVIEW 0 PLEJ SE COMMENT 0 PLE....SE REPLY 0 PLEASE RECYCLE
NOTES/COMMENTS:
To Whom It May Concem:
Please find Landis+Gyr's conunen s on Case No. IPC-02-, Ordex No. 29291. If you
have any question or if you would lik additional infon:na.uon provided please contact me at
kate.o'brien~us.landisgyr.com or at 765; 429-1462.
Thank you
Kate O'Brien
Proposal Coordinator
WWW,T...NDTSGYR us - 1-800-H8-7853
2800 DUNCAN ROAD
LAfAYETTE . IN 47904
-~'"
C-elntvl ucrs- aItdlfflVlvf s
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720~O074
Re: Response to Questions on Idaho Power s Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Case
No. IPC-02~12 , Order No. 29291
Landis+Gyr is pleased to respond to the PUC's request for comments.
Our responses to your questions are listed below:
Shou!!!...!he Commis~rect IdaJto Power to imolement AMR on it's system?
AMR should be implemented if it makes economic sense and provides value to Idaho
Power s customers. Given the power fluctuations experienced in the last few years,
many believe that 2-way AMR systems can be justified solely based on their demand
response benefits during critical peak periods.
lJIow can a4vanc~ meterin2 techn2lo2v enable Idaho Power Comoanv and
ratepayers to make the most of future 'smart e:rid" transmission and distribution
technoloev?
Today s advanced metering technology invariably allows metering data to be
transmitted from the host server over secured internet connections. 'Sman' grid systems
can easily have access to this data via the internet or by FIP data file transfer. This will
allow these systems to analyze load usage, outage info., etc. in 'real-time' at nearly all
endpoints on the distribution system and make faster decisions during critical periods.
~s Dart of a wise investment. what features or technolo2v should Idaho Power
emolov?
Due to the diverse geography of Idaho Power s service territory, it appears to makes
sense to implement a mix of AMR technologies. An RF solution could be used in the
more densely populated urban areas while a PLC solution (such as the DCSI technology
proposed by Idaho Power) would make more sense in the rural areas.
Landis+Gyr, in conjunction with StatSignal, has a 2-way RF solution that is ideal for
urban AMR deployments. With this system, Idaho Power can essentially create an RF
blanket over the urban areas that will allow them to offer advanced services, which can
greatly enhance the value of the system and economics of their business case (see
attached). These advanced features, such as demand response via Smart Thermostats and
Discreet Load Control, will have immediate impact to Idaho Power s customers during
critical peak periods. Additional features such as Remote ConnecTfDisconnect, Outage
Management, Theft Detection, Home Security, Health Monitoring, and Home
Automation provide additional benefits that will enhance the business case and add value
to Idaho consumers.
The Landis+Gyr/StatSignal ADI system can utilize any WAN backbone that Idaho Power
already has in place, such as a Fibre-optic loop, RF radio, microwave, etc.. This will
allow Idaho Power to save on recurring airtime costs plus maintain control of the WAN
backbone infrastructure.
Landis+Gyr also works with a wide variety of quality AMR solution providers, such as
DCSI, Itron, Schlumberger/Cellnet, Hunt, American Innovations, etc.~ame sl!ould Idaho Power implement AMR?
The 4 yr. deployment plan proposed by Idaho power suggests going after the hardest
cost of service customers first, followed by targeted urban areas. Although this strategy
makes practical sense from the standpoint of meter reading costs, initial deployments
over the more heavily populated urban areas provides the most impact from a demand
response perspective.
5. How should Idaho Power recover the costs associated with AMR?
The pending Federal Energy Tax bill will allow accelerated depreciation of the AMR
meters from 15 yrs. to 3 years. A monthly charge could also be added to customer s bills
to offset the cost of the AMR system. Additional revenues could be generated by monthly
fees from the sale of optional enhanced services offered to customers (e.g. home
monitoring/security).
,-----
COMMERCIAL METERING TRANSPONDER
FOR THE LANDIS + GYR S4(8) METER
DCSl's Commercial Metering Transponder
(CM1) for the Landls+Gyr 54~ meter provides
electric utilities with a highly versatile, high
performance solution for remotely acquiring
billing and other strategic information about
their commercial customel'$' usage patterns.
The CMT for the 54 provides remote reading
of electricity usage at both single and
polyphase commercial customers with a wide
selection of meter forms Including under-
glass 480V 3-wlre delta installations. The
CMT -S4 provides Immediate accessibility to
any of the powerful features of the 54 meter,
Including reliable access to interval
data for Load Profiling and to meet
Real-Time meter1ng requirements
for direc:t~ccess accounts. All
normal billing information
such as total consumption
and peak demand, is imme-
diately accessible.
In addition to the S4 fea-
, tures, the CMT provides
pertinent outage data
stored in non-volatile
memory, to calculate
customer outage
Indices as specified In
IEEE-I 366. CMr-54 functionali-
ty is further enhanced by the abtU-
ty to support system level monitoring
of feeder phase voltage profiles.
Tw~way power line communication com-
bines unparalleled flexibility to read and reset
the meter with proven reliabll1ty to achieve
an economical. high-performance wlde-area
uUllty communication solution. The CMf-54
Is available In either a single port design or
with the added functionality of a multi-port
design. The three ports on the multi-port
model can be used to read up to three meters
(i.e.. electricity, gas, and water) through a sin-
gle module-
The eMT for the Landls+Gyr S4 meter is a
1WACS communication module available fac-
tory-installed or as a retrofit kit. The CMT-S4
module acts as a protocol converter between
the native language of the solid-state meter
and the 1WACS communication channel. and
can collect and transmit any meter quantity
data. The data is returned in less than 20 seQo
onds, and non-billing data such as outage
indices. phase voltages, currents, power fac-
tor, etc. can also be retrieved. to support
remote site diagnosis, power quality and
other analysis.
The 1WACS CMT for the S4 can be used to
collect interval billing data from all meters to
yield an accurate and indisputable settlementprocess, as well as for supporting aggrega-
tion, combined billlng and other tools of the
commercial marketplace. 15-, 30., and 60-
minute interval data can be retrieved from
the CMT-54 in blocks several Urnes a day,
eliminating the need for separate recording
Instruments and associated costs.
Outage Indices
The CMT..s4 moduie has powerful built-in reg-
Isters that enable timely, accurate calculation
of customer "Power Distribution Reliability
Indices" per IEEE Std. 1366.
Outage Detection and Restoration Mapping
The 1WACS CMT-S4 supports identlftcation
and verification of outages and restoration
mapping via its two-way protocol, allowing
more accurate dispatch of creWs and timely
verification of restoration progress.
Voltage Monitoring
The CMT -84 can monitor feeder voltage and
support system level profUes by retrieving
phase voltage measurements from the meter
enabling automatic monitoring and "field"
diagnostic capabllities from the office.
Energy, On-Request and Aggregated Reads
The CMT module provides remote access to
the accurate energy registers of the 54 meter.
Since the CMT-541s always connected to the
main office all billing data and any selected
meter register can be read "live" usually with-
in 30 seconds. Aggregated reads and billing
are enabled through system time synchro-
nization and integration of multiple meter
inputs Into a single customer/account identi.
tier.
t1me-of.Use Tariff BUling
The CMT-S4 accumulates consumption in up
to five TOU "tiers" based on time of usage.
1WACS is used to synchronize all system
meter clocks, provide remote access to the
TOU tier data and make adjustments to the
TOU schedule. Data can also include peak
demand values calculated separately within
each TOU period.
COMMERCIAL METERING TRANSPONDER-S4 (CMT-VEC)
f\.\n~IDrn":'~~lii~..io
~~:,
: v~iiie~rl~jh8',' ;"
' '::'' , ':",
ADDn'IONALFEA1VRES
::~
i~~c
~!;
il'
:::
l~~~
~~~::"~;;~
Wit"'OI:l~ $ol~t,l9.d! :' ~~C"to:"i80,G ,
" '
be remotely read. The CMT-S4
StOrage Temper&ti;i'ria
" "', .
40'C;t~ +6 C, '
..
can acquire a demand reading
without reset which eliminates
, ' ,
, (rt$'mor;tfi$,ma)f:) , ' monthly resealing of the demand-
r:lul\I!ldlty,," , ,i:,
:' '' ""
eif~to::SS~,,~:nOrii:.oCorid~~~iill~\' "resetlever,multipleinadvertent
;-, Qutesc~~~:,
p:~, :,, ,
i '
::,' , ~:
;~~W~~;~li Sj~~',
~p.~: -
resets, and tampering through
, ~~ll!iil,~ws~P1Ib/\I~'
:, ,':," ': :, '
ANS'iC~12ji~~OOt T"~jPilQ.
:~~" :
unauthorized resets.
: iAC:~ip~fSy~~!i,
\,-, ,
AN$'il\E~~~e2~1.gO1:,Jj~r' "
:, :",! ,::~ ';;,,:~,":,\,,;;'!:'" : '
A~$'I::iOij'~H.20Q1'iffjf:N~~:1:;t;::"
:'
' !I~rieelii~~,!tii~~n'\i,
:\':: : ~,
~~;$1Q~li~Jjii~~$I(d1~:'
' :.'~:
Rexlble Read Dates
. :::;:::":
;;:i,
:J.~~;i~~!.
~$\::
i:"
:;''::;::
:i,
:;', , "
' eMII'Rp.(~I8Ii~~.i:::,"c~H~,atti~$,'Cr.)19 iBi~~r
" ",", " , ", ," ,
" ANSI'C~ia~Jt"2aO1'"..tINo'
~' '
w..,' F
~7' ,
: : ,,
i ,
;' .
2i=:
, "
I',,
', ,:,.., "'
Cfa88:~~;i'2SE";~SE:1e$~;I
" ': .',::, , ,
I :
: :,: ::;::
!.:e\~;;4$Q;;,1e~;::
~~~'~:
~:::X'
,..
ii':" Tamper Detection
: "
s.l~~i~gpa~t!9ii~~~I
~~,
:i :f~~'bc#~fq~#;",~~o:ie:~;'ry!4tt.r I, ,~ The CMT-S4 expands five levels
Vi8~1 ~~~,j~~~~~f;~~it;c~~;~~~~~:rr;,~,?i~~\~rT1ati"" :'; of password security in the S4 to
, ," ,, ,,:,;,:': ..' ,
t)IJP,I')I::1Cil.lg~i!;IQt:A\JPlagri~tic.~IjI :: Inc1uderemotemonitortngof
: Stallld$~ 'A~p,tovaj:, " , " 'Mia.su~~~enr~anaa~APp rpv,ed:
' ; :,
reverse power flow
, "
no pulses in
, '" "
I" "
::', ", ": "
I:F
, ,
24hours andseU~iagnosUcs.
'I"H'
::'" """ ',,, ,,
SincetheTWACS CMT is in com-
municaUon with the main office
throughout the day, interval data
can be used to determine
changes In usage, an early indica-
tor of tampering.
The CMT -54 supports the
rescheduling of read dates to
reflect cycle changes or to meet
customer needs to be read on a
speciflc date or schedule. - with-
out the need to visit the meter.
INsTALL4170N FEATURES
Sell Contained 480V 3-Wlre
Delta AvailabWty
The CMT-S4 combination enables
simple self-contained 480V 3.wire
delta installations without the
need for e"'"pensive potential
transformers and associated
wiring.
Wide Selection of Meter ForDl8
The CMT. in conjunction with the
S4 meter, are available in the
widest selection of meter forms
yet, 208, 240, 277. 480 VAC. to fit
most commercial applications.
Optionallnput/Output Board
An option board is available to
supply "KYZ" outputs and to
receive Inputs from up to two
additional meters-
sTANDARD FEATURES
Under the Glass" AMR
oNo batteries required in the
eMT module
-System-wide time synchronization
-Non.volatHe billing data registers
-Retrieved data stored in an Oracle
relational database
Distribution Control Systems, inc.
, Subsidiary of ESCO Technologies Inc.
, 5657 Campus Parkway
I Hazelwood, MO 63042
[phone]
FAX: (314) 89S-6453
'nf~twacs_com
W\fiW.tWacs.corn
..
STAT51c&NAL
The StatSignai Solution
- Overview
AUTOMATED METER READING GENERATES A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
StatSlgnal is the pioneer in the field of wireless mesh networks for AMR. StatSignal'
Innovative approach reduces capital and operational cost and provides a solution that finally
fits the business case of an electric, gas and water utility.
For many years the business case for AMR could not be justified for mass deployments.
StatSignal approached the problem from a different perspectIve; bringing their knowledge of
low cost data transmission from the banking and security industry to the metering Industry.
StatSignal designed the communication infrastructure based on the networking capabilities ofthe Internet, and engineered unnecessary cost out of their AMR solution. With their
innovative approach, StatSignal has designed and developed a solution that provides for a
truly flexible, scalable, and cost. effective system.
61 A TSIGNAL S SOLUTION
StatSignal provides a wireless end-to.end solution for the acquisition, transportation
management and delivery of meter data. and other related data (such as load management).
Data Center
& Systems
System &
Data Access
Load Coutl'Ol I . ~..
~,. ." .,;;;::.;:
W~"r
......
lrr:igatloD ectr'ic
\ ~::~~
8 ...t;leCtriC Gas
Utility
Cu8tomer
pusUC OR PRlV" TE
.IDEN
"PSL
. fiBER ontC
. CEI.LULAR
-OTHeR TalIP OR UDP
" Ma~.tlng
mum.
Billing
Accounting
AMR Fixed Network
Assessment
StatSignal Systems, Inc.
Proprietary & Confidential
February 26. 2003
..
STATSUSNAL
5tat51gnal offers the utility an integrated application services support platform that Is
organized as shown in the above diagram:
1 . The Local Area Network (LAN) - The LAN or Pocket Network, comprises
SensNODESTM (such as electric meters, water meters, etc.) that communicate to and
through each other in a full two.way, redundant mesh. SensNODES are enabled to
move the data because they contain StatSignal's patented communications /Module.
The AiNODE provides a secured bridge to/from the Internet, where data or
commands are forwarded toltrom the Data Center and associated control
applications. In future expansions, other value added services can be made AMR
ready by integrating StatSignal's transceiver into the equipment to be controlled or
monitored over The Internet.
2. Wide Area Network rN AN) - AINODES form a bridge between the Pocket LAN and
WAN. On the LAN side, the AiNODE communicates with and manages SensNODES
such as electric meters. On the WAN side, the AINODE communicates with the Data
Center and controlling applications via TCP/IP or UDP.
3. Data Center - The Data Center manages the network, communication services, data
storage and application support. Upon delivery from the AiNODE, data is stored in
the database and made available to various query and control applications (such as
a Utility CIS, StatSignal's Web Interface, etc.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK
A key advantage of the StatSignal's Local Area Pocket Network is its ability to support
monitoring and control applications by using two-way transceivers communicating from the
meter to the utility. StatSignal's patented Pocket LAN technology enables the following
processes:
Instant reads for bill validation, move-In/move-out reads. etc.
Remote programming and upgrades of network devices
Send control signals and other messages to ,he customer or end point device
Monthly, daily, or hourly data collection from every meter
Inform customers of pricing
Expansion with other services and applications tor load management (e.
electric thermostats and irrigation system controls, which, when enabled with
StatSignal communications modules, provide an integrated communications
system.
StatSignal's mesh-based network significantly improves cost effectiveness over traditional
hub-and-spoke wireless or power line carrier fixed network systems:
Reduced Network Infrastructure Cost:
StatSignal rethought the basic architecture of wireless networks, and created a
revolutionary mesh network for AMA and Smart Metering. It allows the meters or other
StatReady' devices (SensNODES) to communicate wirelessly with very little
infrastructure. Every device In the network acts as a RepNODE, relaying traffic for every
other device. Traffic hops from device to device until it reaches the nearest data
collection device (AI NODE), which Is a secured Internet access point. StatSignal'
multiple routing offers non-line-of-sight connectivity to the data collector. eliminating the
AMR Fixed Network
Assessment
StatSlgnal Systems, Inc.
Proprietary & Confidential
February 26, 2003
.....
!5TAT51IEiNAL
need for overlapping towers and extensive redundant system design. This model
significantly Improves cost effectiveness over traditional wireless or power line carrier
AMR systems using expensive hierarchical or multi-tier network Infrastructure.
. .
Lower Installation Cost:
StatSlgnal's mesh network reduces Installation costs to a minimum since it operates with
very little infrastructure (meters can serve as RepNODEs or routers. forming the
Infrastructure). Installation costs have been further minimized with the system s bUilt.
self-initialization process. When the meter is plugged into the meter socket, It will log
itself into the network and start reporting data immediately. Self-initialization will set into
memory all available paths and order these paths by best signal strength. Any areas not
covered by meter communications can be filled using 5tatSIgnal's pole-mounted, AC or
solar-powered network RepNODEs.
Lower Operation and Maintenance Cost:
Maintenance of the system Is reduced by the fault tolerant communication and self-
healing messaging links. The mesh network communication uses peer-to-peer
messaging and Intelligently routes the message via an alternate route if a communication
link is compromised. Most LAN operation and maintenance tasks can be conducted
remotely from the office eliminating the requirement for expensive field visits & delivering
even more O&M cost-savings. Last but not the least, StatSignal'$ LAN software
(firmware in communication modules, as well as the software In the AiNODE) is fully and
remotely upgradeable from StatSignal's network. This ensures ongoing flexibility and
adaptability of the systems, while continuing to eliminate the requirement for expensive
field visits.
5tatSignal's RF modules operate in the 900Mhz ISM unlicensed band.
THE WIDE AREA NETWORK
The Wide Area Network eN AN) consists of AINOOEs connected to a pl,lblic or private
network. which provide the wide area communications infrastructure. All data and commands
are processed through the AiNODE. Data and commands are sent to the 5tatSlgnai 15P
through the public or private network of the utility's choice.
The AiNODE Is an open architecture WAN gateway capable of leveraging the various Wide
Area Networks available, ensuring flexible and scalable integration with current Utility and
Commercial systems. The AiNODE collects and stores meter indexes. Once a day (by
default), the AiNODE forwards the meter information to the Data Center through the Wide
Area Network. In the case of alarms, the AiNODE forwards immediately the event/alarm
message to the Data Center and to the appropriate servers/applications.
Operational costs are minimized because the AiNODE software can be remotely upgraded.
By enabling the use of multiple WAN options, Stat5ignal's solution provides the utility the
ability to choose the most cost.effectlve method for each location. This option reduces the
risk to the utility of technology obsolescence and price changes.
5tat5ignal's open architecture WAN gateway Is capable of leveraging various public and
private WAN's which support TCP/IP or UDP. including:
Telephone
Internet Cable
DSL
AMR Fixed Network
Assessment
StatSignal Systems, Inc.
Proprietary & Confidential
February 26, 2003
---"..""., ,_
0--...
.TAT5IGN~L
Cellular
Fiber Optics
Satellite
Microwave, etc.
DATA CENTER AND UTILITY INFORMATION SYSTEM (UIS)
From the WAN, data is moved to the database where processing can take place. The data
becomes available to be stored, managed or passed off directly to the utility's CIS or other
system.
All information Is disseminated as specified by your utility: page formatting, web page design,
reports, specific data retrieval request, specific control commands Issued, specific actions to
be taken, security access levels, etc.
StatSlgnal'5 technology has been designed to address technology advances and upgrade
needs, thereby minimizing risk associated with technology obsolescence. The open
technology Integrates Into various communications and application systems, simplifying the
resources required to Inter1ace with legacy systems, and future systems.
StatSlgna"s existing state-of-the-art Data Center, located near our Atlanta office, maintains
all the collected information and serves as the primary information access point for Utilities.
The interface to the Utility is either provided through a Web Server Interface or a dedicated
Application Gateway via an Open Structured Data Base system "0506", The Customer
Service Representatives can easily use the head-end system directly or information can be
fed Into the legacy utility systems, This easy integration of the AMR system into the utility call
center, market research and planning processes allows for more efficient operations.
Among others, our Data Center provides the following reliable and secure attributes:
24x7 Operation
Built to meet UL Security Requirements
Dedicated Network Management Software (Computer Associates)
3 DES encryption Verlsign Certification
Emergency Alerts
Full Backup, Disaster and Recovery Capabilities:
Redundant Data Center in Europe
UPS systems and diesel generators
Microsoft, IBM, Sun. HP, and Cisco components to insure full compliance
with your systems and latest standards
TCP/IP. and UDP protocols.
In addition to the ASP model described above. the Data Center and associated
hardware/software can be made available on an 'own and operate' basis.
AMR Fixed Network
Assessment
StatSignal Systems, Inc.
Proprietary & Confidential
February 26, 2003