Utility meter reading via cellular

Cellular Solution provides CIPCO (Central Iowa Power Cooperative) with a reliable, low-cost alternative to manual meter reading.

Business Challenge

Dedicated to quality and accuracy, CIPCO collects power measurements each month for both billing purposes and planning initiatives, such as anticipating future power generation and equipment needs. These measurements were collected by sending experienced staff to distant substations, often in remote areas, to read wholesale meters and collect load balance information being captured in 15 minute intervals on magnetic tape drives. The original monthly process - requiring a fleet of trucks, personnel experienced in working in a high voltage environment and an  inordinate amount of time - was eventually supplanted by a process called probing, a similar method requiring on-site use of a handheld, analog phone device and optical cable to collect power measurements. The standard in the industry over the last decade, probing was still a time-consuming process, with each employee only able to cover 12-14 metering points each month because of the large distances between locations.

With the sun setting on analog support by cellular providers, CIPCO was faced with the challenge of upgrading its analog phone devices to digital devices in order to continue collecting its measurements used for billing and planning. With CIPCO's current cellular provider unable to offer a cellular technology migration plan, they turned to GetWireless, a leading value-added distributor of cellular-based solutions. GetWireless was able to help CIPCO by providing a solution for its analog to digital migration dilemma.

"We're not in this for the short term," explained Don Chaon, manager of data systems for CIPCO, of the company's employment of GetWireless to aid CIPCO in its migration. "We need someone who knows what they're doing."

Sierra Wireless AirLink Solution

CIPCO started by testing four digital wireless products as potential replacements for current analog devices. After almost four months of field usage, the clear winner was the Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XT communications gateway. Within the field testing environment developed by CIPCO, the AirLink Raven XTs outperformed the other vendors' products in terms of connectivity, data transfer speeds and remote management simplicity provided by the gateway's AceWare suite of tools and utilities.

The Raven XT is built on a powerful platform and processing environment that provides remote monitoring and two-way communication required for unmanned applications. Unlike the probing process that requires travel to each metering site, the Raven XT allows remote data collection and features a Class I Div 2 certification for use in hazardous conditions such as those found in substation environments.  It's sleek, compact form factor also allows for easy integration within existing infrastructure and enclosures.

 "We figured that it cost at least $30 to collect a single meter reading before, but now our only cost is the $10 monthly charge for our cellular service," said Chaon. "The Raven XT solution has also increased the safety for our field staff, who are no longer required to enter high voltage substations to read meters."

The $30 meter read includes: labor; vehicle; primary retrieval (meter to handheld at the substation); equipment (handheld, modem, misc.); and secondary retrieval (handheld to computer at the Distribution Coop Office). This cost reflects a single meter read, whereas the Raven XT solution provides CIPCO with unlimited access to meter data throughout the month.

CIPCO relied heavily on GetWireless to be part of its solution deployment team, providing Raven XT setup and configuration, provisioning and training. The value-added distributor also helped CIPCO switch to a more agile cellular provider. GetWireless handled the activation process in its entirety, including account setup, plan selection and contract completion, to get the AirLink Raven XTs up and running on the EV-DO Rev. A network.

"Getting the new solution deployed was a team effort," said Chaon. "It required research, learning about the new environment, new connections, new installation procedures, new customer requirements."

By using the Raven XT for cellular transmission over the public network, many of CIPCO's cooperatives are able to avoid additional private network or landline charges, as well as the steep cost of running copper landlines into rural areas where it doesn't already exist.

Currently, CIPCO has 106 Raven XT units at substations across Iowa and has been able to reduce the time necessary for remote interrogation of billing information to just half a day - down from seven days with magnetic tape or four days with handheld analog probing devices. The Raven XT devices currently account for a little over 50% of CIPCO's billing activity.

"Given our current success, we will have no second thoughts about deploying additional Raven XT units at new wholesale delivery points or for end-use studies, either commercial or residential," concluded Chaon.

Results

The success of the Raven XT as a communication conduit for CIPCO's transmission and distribution environments has given the cooperative a new tool in electrical load measurement. This resource has an enabling effect on billing, load research, capital planning and power quality.

"Before we started deploying, the solution was new and strange. You can see now that the tension has gone away and people can see that this solution is working well," said Chaon, who also mentioned of the Raven XT devices that "the little blue guys are working like champs. It's a very good, solid product."

The Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XT intelligent devices running on EV-DO Rev. A networks have provided CIPCO with the following benefits:

• Cost savings
• Time savings
• Improved personnel safety of employees
• On-demand access to real-time information
• Remote management of wireless solution
• Enhanced customer service

Sierra Wireless - Connecting people and systems to mobile broadband networks around the world

Sierra Wireless modems and software connect people all over the world with mobile broadband networks that keep them in touch, informed, and productive from wherever they need to be. The Company offers a diverse product portfolio addressing enterprise, consumer, original equipment manufacturer, machine-to-machine, and specialized vertical industry markets.  For more information, please visit our website, www.sierrawireless.com