AMI: Advanced Metering Infrastructure
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Over the next four years, Alliant Energy will be implementing one of the largest projects we’ve ever undertaken. We will be exchanging – or retrofitting – more than 1.4 million electric and natural gas meters with new Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI. Wondering how AMI works, why we’re implementing it or when it will be rolled out? Read on to learn more about this new technology. How it works | Benefits | Timeline | FAQ | News |
How it works
Electric and natural gas meters are read remotely through communications towers. This usage information is then transmitted to Alliant Energy via a fixed radio frequency network where it is then used in our billing, customer service and outage management systems. BenefitsCurrent:
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Timeline
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Look here for answers to frequently asked questions about advanced metering and the impact on our utility operations. What is AMI? Q. What is AMI?A. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology is a new technology that enables meters to be read remotely. AMI technology remotely collects energy usage information at frequent intervals from customers’ AMI-enabled electric and/or natural gas meters via a Radio Frequency (RF) fixed network. Data is then transferred into a meter data management system and interfaced with customer information, outage management and other Alliant Energy systems. Q. What is the difference between AMR and AMI?A. Automated meter reading (AMR) is the collection of meter data without manually visiting the meter location. It’s typically a drive-by or walk-by system. AMI is a technology that enables meters to be read remotely via a fixed network without having to visit the customer property on a regular basis. Energy usage information is available more frequently and timely. Q. Why is Alliant implementing AMI technology?A. This technology will help us provide new and improved customer services and reduce overall costs. Customer property will no longer need to be accessed to read meters which improves the safety of our employees. In addition, the need for estimating energy usage is all but eliminated. We will also be able to identify and respond to electric outages much quicker and effectively. AMI will allow us to offer additional programs and services in the future to help customers manage their energy usage and costs. Q. When will the AMI project begin?A. System preparations began in the last quarter of 2007, and installation of meters is expected to begin in April as part of a Phase 1 implementation in the Beaver Dam, Wisconsin area. Beaver Dam was selected because it has a representative sampling of customers and conditions that are typical of the Alliant Energy territory. Further deployment throughout Alliant service territory would be conditional on the success of the Phase 1 implementation. Upon final implementation of Phase 1, a Phase 2 project is anticipated to commence in the 2nd half of 2008 for deployment throughout the remainder of the WPL service territory. Completion is expected in 2010. Deployment of AMI in the IPL territory is anticipated to begin in the 2nd half of 2009, with a planned project completion in 2011. Q. When will you be installing these meters in my neighborhood?A. You will be notified by mail approximately two weeks before your neighborhood is scheduled for installation. Q. How many visits will it take to install the new meters?A. Depending on the number of meters and services you have with Alliant Energy, it may take up to two visits to install your new meters. Whenever possible, we will coordinate the installations to minimize inconvenience to you. Q. Will a meter reader continue to come to my property?A. Alliant Energy employees will continue to read meters manually until the AMI network is functional in your neighborhood. Q. Do you need to change my meter?A. Each electric meter will be replaced with a new AMI-enabled meter and gas meters will be retrofitted by adding an AMI module. There may be some gas meters that will be exchanged because of compatibility reasons. Q. Will there be a separate service charge for this new meter or module retrofit?A. No. You will not be charged for the installation or retrofitting of new meters. Q. What type of information is being transmitted?A. Only meter numbers, energy usage readings, and diagnostic information are transmitted through encrypted secure signals. Personal data will not be transmitted so your information will remain private and secure. Q. Will there be any interruption during the installation?A. Electric service interruptions should normally take only a few minutes. Since most gas meters are being retrofitted with an AMI module, there should be no gas service interruption unless the meter has to be replaced because of compatibility reasons. Q. Will I see a change in my service after the new AMI meter is installed?A. The electric or gas service you receive will not be impacted by the new meters. Once the AMI meter is installed and operating, meter readers will no longer visit your property to collect the meter readings. However, service personnel may visit the meter periodically to perform safety inspections, routine maintenance, or meter testing. Q. Are these new meters accurate?A. Yes. AMI ensures that energy consumption is measured in a timely and accurate manner. Q. Do I need to be present when the meter is installed?A. You do not need to be present for the electric meter installation or gas meter retrofit if your meter is accessible. Q. Will someone need to come into my home or business to install the meter?A. To exchange indoor meters, your home or business will need to be entered for a short time. Your pilot lights may need to be re-lit if a gas meter has been exchanged for compatibility reasons. Our contractor, VSI Services, will assist with the installation process. They will also verify that the meter is functioning and transmitting data properly. Meter upgrades will generally occur between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. However, appointment may occur outside of these hours if access is needed to install meters. Q. How can I be sure this is an employee or representative of Alliant Energy?A. All Alliant Energy and VSI employee will be wearing visible identification to allow verification by customers. If you ever have any questions regarding the identity of someone who claims to be working for Alliant Energy, please call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-ALLIANT (1-800-255-4268). Q. How much will this new technology cost?A. Overall, Alliant Energy plans to invest approximately $200 million over the next four years in advanced metering infrastructure to improve customer service, reduce costs and provide additional rate and energy management options. Approximately 1.1 million electric customers and 400,000 gas customers in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota will benefit from AMI. Q. What impact will these costs have on rates?A. At this time, we are unable to determine what, if any impact there will be on customer rates. An AMI Phase 1 pilot in the Beaver Dam, Wisconsin area will help us determine how AMI can affect processes throughout the company, and what potential cost impacts there may be with a full roll out of AMI technology. Q. What impact will the AMI project have on staffing levels at Alliant Energy?A. As AMI is deployed across our service territory, there will be a reduction in needed staffing for positions currently supporting manual meter reading. We are currently reviewing positions that may be impacted and looking for opportunities to minimize the impacts to affected employees. An AMI Phase 1 implementation in the Beaver Dam, Wisconsin area will help us determine how AMI would affect processes throughout the company, and what potential staffing impacts there may be with a full roll out of AMI technology. Q. What frequency does this technology use?A. The AMI system operates under an FCC license and uses a portion of the 900 MHz radio frequency band separate from that used commonly by consumer products such as cordless telephones and garage door openers. Because of this, the AMI system will not cause interference problems with other wireless devices. Q. Are there any potential health concerns with the Radio Frequency (RF) signals?A. Several studies have been made on low-power RF transmissions but no negative health impacts have been found. The AMI system we are deploying meets all applicable FCC requirements. Q. How can I learn more?A. Additional information is provided in our Advanced Metering Infrastructure Q&A brochure [PDF]. NewsMarch 18, 2008 - Advanced Metering Infrastructure comes to Beaver Dam area February 25, 2008 - Wisconsin Power and Light Company to implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure | |
24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-800-ALLIANT (255-4268).