AMI/AMR

For those companies either considering, or currently struggling with, rolling out Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or Meter Data Management (MDM) technology, Bridge can help. We understand how to assess, plan, manage and deliver projects for not only the collection of meter data at the C&I and retail level, but the management and application of this important information for demand management and demand response programs. Most of our clients initially faced challenges with one or more of the following:

Efficiently rolling out 'smart meters' while avoiding common (& expensive) pitfalls
Removing reliance on SCADA alone for meter data
Determining if their current meter collection system will meet the near and long-term demands of a 'smarter' grid
Figuring out what vendors to include in an RFP and what should the criteria should be
Understanding how to make full use of the meter data to empower their consumers to make smarter decisions and truly enable demand management, demand response/load control capability

“Our AMI/AMR and Demand Management services include.”

AMI/AMR Strategy and Planning

Evaluation of MDMS Products

Smart Meter Integration and Roll out

Vendor Negotiation

MDMS Project Planning & Management

MDMS Implementation -- including Communication and Infrastructure integration

MDMS Integration with Internal Applications like CIS, GIS, OMS, DMS etc.

Demand Management Application development or deployment

End to End Testing

Enterprise Reporting , Data Warehousing strategy and Implementation

NERC CIP Security

Compliance Controls

BRIDGE Case Study

Bridge experts have completed a comprehensive roadmap for a large Utility in the West. It began with assisting the client with the vision, strategy and Architecture that was based upon discussions with various AMI/AMR vendors, Meter vendors, MDM vendors, IBM, CIM vendors and other participants. Bridge experts understood both the business aspects of AMI and how integration technology could be leveraged to transfer millions of meter based transactions on a minute by minute basis to the corporate applications. Such high transaction and throughput requirements impose tremendous strain on existing infrastructure and the architecture. The impact on internal applications - some of which are Legacy - is not trivial and requires a holistic view of technology and business.
The ultimate result was based upon Smart House technology at the customer end, high speed infrastructure for data collection based upon SOA ESB, Meter Data Management application from a vendor, integration with internal applications based upon SOA architecture and implementation of new applications such as demand management, meter connect/disconnect, and variable rates to name a few.