The Advanced Metering Infrastructure Consists Of a Device, Which Measures the Consumption of Electric Energy
A metering infrastructure is designed to connect meters to a central data center. It enables utilities to automate their meter reading and billing processes. The technology also provides a wealth of benefits, including improved water conservation, leak detection, and security. Utilities can implement metering infrastructure in stages, ensuring that each meter is ready for deployment when the time comes. Implementing metering infrastructure is a major undertaking, requiring contract negotiation and procurement, installation, and operation and maintenance.
Adapting to Advanced Metering Infrastructure requires making several organizational changes and transforming skillsets. In addition to installing smart meters, utilities will need to install data centers and management systems to collect and analyze meter data. New communications devices may also be needed for transmission. All these changes require coordination across departments, resulting in the successful implementation of metering infrastructure. The benefits of metering infrastructure include enhanced grid operation and two-way communications.
A major technological requirement for Advanced Metering Infrastructure is communication. Smart meters must be able to send data reliably to a central location. This can be accomplished through satellites, licensed radios, power line communication, or fixed wireless networks. In addition to satellites, advanced meters can use internet-related networks such as Wi-Fi. The communication network must be capable of handling high-speed data, including multiple streams. However, smart meters must also be installed in a large number of homes.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure also requires a network of communications devices. In addition to smart meters, metering infrastructure networks may need to be connected to a head end. Metering infrastructure communications networks are built using RF Mesh and PLC, which is wireless technology. The RF Mesh technologies complement each other. RF Mesh is a key component of Automatic Meter Reading. Using RF Mesh, utilities can measure power consumption and collect data about energy consumers. RF Mesh and PLC technologies are both cheap and easy to implement, but both are susceptible to obstructions.
Metering infrastructure also provides two-way communication between utility centers and consumer premises. This information enables utilities to optimize the ToU price based on consumption. It is also possible to utilize distributed generation resources to produce power on the consumer premises. The ultimate goal of the metering infrastructure is to optimize the energy consumption of a consumer. Metering infrastructure can also facilitate smart grid technologies.
The metering infrastructure system is typically comprised of smart electricity meters, but it can also include smart gas and water meters. Other devices such as thermostats and other sensors can collect and forward measurement data to the smart meter. Ultimately, it is important to model the metering infrastructure system. For example, smart meters can report back to a utility control center in real-time. In addition to technical losses, metering infrastructure systems reduce non-technical losses like tampering, bypassing meters, and illicit tapping of distribution systems.
Ultimately, metering infrastructure is about managing energy and utilities, and carriers have the best potential for growth with an NB-IoT network. The concept of metering infrastructure is widely used in the utility industry and is a scalable and reliable way to monitor energy consumption. The metering infrastructure is a network of metering devices, which communicate with the main server. It also includes communication networks, meter interface units, and sensors. The latter can include power quality information, Demand Response, and load management. The infrastructure helps utilities better manage and control their services. Besides providing energy-usage data, it also facilitates the management of a company’s business systems.