Integrating AMR-AMI Data into WindMil
James S Cross, PEPlanning Engineer
Homer Electric AssociationKenai, Alaska
Improving Your WindMil Model w/ AMR/AMI• Historically, planners and system operators have had very little
data regarding the individual loads on a distribution system.• Most distribution planning models have used (still use?) kWh
billing data (energy) from a CIS system to determine the “load snapshot” (power) for the load-flow analysis.
• This methodology is known as load allocation. Load allocation is as much of an “art” as is system protection. There are no hard & fast rules …. every system and every case is different.
• Given the importance of the model loading to the load-flow results, an accurate portrayal of the system loads is critical in order to get good results.
EA Model Improvements
• The use of GIS systems at utilities has led to significant improvements in model data, and large “detailed” models have become prevalent.
• Load modeling has not seen the significant data improvements that the system (impedance) models have seen.
• End-of-line load data is still challenging, especially “real time” data.
AMR/AMI Enters the Utility World
• Utilities now have the ability to obtain more data from the end-of-line loads with the implementation of AMR systems.
• Two-way AMR/AMI systems allow for even more information flow, as some meters can be built or programmed to detect more than just kWh usage.
What can AMR/AMI do for me?In addition to reading kWh:• Many AMR meters capture “blinks” or momentary outage counts• Voltage data• Ability to create a true “monthly” kWh reading• Real demand (kW) data• Equipment Information
This information can be used to make your WindMil model better.
What else can AMR/AMI do for me?• It can make a large model even larger• You are counting on another enterprise application to get data to
you correctly.• If the meter data moves through multiple enterprise applications,
each interface is a potential source of new data errors.• It can force you to use mixed methods to populate your model:
– AMR to populate 2S meter loads– Billing / GIS to populate other loads
The question you MUST ask yourself …a
AMI at Homer Electric• Homer Electric began implementing a Cannon Technologies AMI
system in 2005.• We started w/ a two substation / 300 meter pilot project.• Since then we’ve deployed ~ 5,000 meters per year. Nine
distribution substations will read approximately 27,000 1Ø meters on 29 feeders.
• All 2s meters will be changed out by year’s end.• We will revisit 3Ø metering to determine scope / costs.
AMR – WindMil Interface
• WindMil can read data directly from several AMR systems by using a MultiSpeak interface.
• Before using the interface, you need to contact your AMR/AMI vendor to get MultiSpeak configuration files for your enterprise software.
AMR – WindMil Interface
AMR – WindMil Interface
AMR – WindMil Interface
AMR – WindMil Interface
Distribution System Phasing w/ AMI• Most power-line carrier (PLC) AMR systems interface some sort
of communications on the primary line buses within the substations.
• There is some sort of coupling onto each phase of each feeder.• Two-way AMR allows us to send a signal down each phase to all
meters connected to that phase, and get a response back from meters that heard the signal.
• If we can determine which meters are on what phase, we can electrically phase our distribution feeders.
• If we truly know our system phasing in our WindMil model, we can then more accurately run unbalanced analysis to model what is going on with our distribution system.
Voltage Drop – Balanced Mode
Voltage Drop – Unbalanced Mode
Distribution System Phasing w/ AMR• WindMil voltage-drop analyses can be run in unbalanced
mode. This mode will more accurately reflect phase unbalances on your distribution system.
• This affects results of:– Voltage Drop Analysis– Load Balance Activity– Set Regulation Activity– Loss Study
Past MUC Presentations
• AMR & SCADA Data in WindMil, by Jeff Wilhite (2007)
• AMR Data vs. Load Allocation, by Bill Kersting (2007)
