VEC Undertakes Multi-Year Meter Upgrade
In an effort to continually enhance our service to members, VEC is always striving to improve the meter technology installed at our members’ properties. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is part of this technology strategy.
VEC has been operating its present AMI system since 2005. The current type of system we use, known as a Power Line Carrier (PLC) system, communicates over existing powerlines to provide two-way communications between VEC substations and meters. VEC utilizes this system for 99 percent of energy and demand usage metering and outage monitoring on residential, small commercial and industrial consumers.
AMI meters have several advantages including better outage management and increased meter reading accuracy. In addition, they do not require manual meter reads and associated vehicle, personnel and administrative costs. AMI meters also allow members to utilize SmartHub, VEC’s online portal. (SmartHub can help members monitor and manage their energy usage and ultimately lower their energy bill. SmartHub also provides members with a method of notifying VEC of an outage or receiving notifications from VEC. SmartHub also offers enhanced features, including service and usage notifications that can help pre-empt high bills, as well as usage management and tracking options that can help members understand how changes to appliances or equipment on their property affect their usage.)
The existing PLC system is nearing the end of its useful life. Therefore, we are upgrading it to a more robust Radio Frequency (RF) AMI system which works similarly to modern cell phone communications.
This replacement is necessary to support VEC smart grid systems that ensure efficient and effective communications between members’ premises and VEC. RF meters also offer improved outage management data for our crews which can speed up restoration during outages, and improve power quality for members.
This upgrade has begun in the Belvidere, Cambridge area with about 600 meters installed, and will continue to place across our service territory over the next several years.
For questions about this project, contact Dave Lahar at [email protected]