A Richardson, Texas, business is offering utility companies the chance to have a two-way wireless communications network with automated meter reading without the full capital expense of building a network.
“Because utility companies are facing competition today, they have to protect their market as well as expand into other markets,” said Stephen Barth, president of Utility Network Services, also called UNS.
Utility companies can become significant players in the current buildout of telecommunications infrastructure through joint ventures or partnerships, according to a report sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute.
Utilities have access to right-of-way properties and building entry, own communications towers and operate large fixed and mobile networks.
In order to avoid great capital outlay and risk in deploying communications networks, utilities can lease wireless lines to create a dedicated network that can be controlled by the utility, the EPRI study states.
The two-way system offered by UNS can operate on several networks that use different technologies-Cellular Digital Packet Data, RAM Mobile Data, Ardis mobile data, cellular and narrowband and broadband personal communications services. The choice would be determined by cost, UNS said.
“By installing UNS’ automated meter reading network, a utility can save up to $7 million to $10 million annually in field service operating expenses for every one million meters,” Barth said. This figure reflects money saved by gathering meter data from a central location instead of dispatching service technicians to read consumer meters.
Utilities already have deployed some technology to assist with managing the operations, such as electronic meter reading and drive-by information gathering. A movement into two-way will give utility companies the ability to offer value-added products and energy information services.
Utilities expect that customers will seek specifications such as peak and off-peak billing, and will have an interest in remote monitoring of home systems, such as security, appliances and power. A main goal of UNS is to be on board once utilities delve into such technology, and the company’s network package illustrates that connection.
Datamatic Inc., also of Richardson, Texas, will construct the backbone of the UNS network by integrating system software and hardware into the utility company’s existing infrastructure. Datamatic will handle customer service.
TEKnique Inc., a Schaumburg, Ill.-based communications technology company, will provide gateways, gateway software and concentrator units.
The UNS network operates wirelessly from the utility company to site-based concentrators, meter-size devices that can be installed on a pole or placed beside a meter. Each concentrator is wired to several sites, for example, five houses. Transmission between the concentrator and the houses runs through the Consumer Electronic Bus (CEBus), a two-way wired power-line protocol and industry standard that carries data.
According to TEKnique, many appliance companies now manufacture devices that contain a CEBus interface or implant. The concentrator manages information from multiple sites and interfaces with the wireless network.
Also, all meters in the utility service area would be upgraded with an implant that allows real-time and scheduled meter reading, as well as tamper and fault detection.
A gateway provides access to the local area network, and is responsible for network interface, protocol translation and router switching functions.
Scattered, individual meters that can’t be connected to a LAN are fit with stand-alone meter implants that support direct access to the wireless communications network, UNS said.
UNS performed a demonstration of the technology with five electric meters in West Texas counting the kilowatt hours used by a water well, two microwave repeater towers, a gas pump and a home. In another test, a personal computer was used to send commands to control household appliances or office machines.
