Technology Definition Project
Draft 5
May 1, 2005
Brian Soth
Market Intelligence, Itron
Brian.Soth@Itron.com
509-891-3092
Matt Spaur
Marketing Communications,
Itron
Matt.Spaur@Itron.com
509-891-3992
Table of Contents
Preface................................................................................................................................. 4
Metering and Data Creation Terms..................................................................................... 5
Data Logging .................................................................................................................. 6
Net Metering ................................................................................................................... 7
Pre-Paid Metering ........................................................................................................... 8
Smart Metering ............................................................................................................... 9
Solid-State Meters ......................................................................................................... 10
Meter Data Acquisition Terms...........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Advanced Network ........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) ..............................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Fixed Network ...............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Head-End System...........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Interval Data Collection .................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Mesh Network ................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Power Line Carrier (PLC) ..............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Real Time Data ..............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Remote Disconnect / Connect Virtual Disconnect / Connect ...... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
Two-Way Networks; Two-Way Systems; Two-Way Communications ............... Error!
Bookmark not defined.
Unlicensed Spectrum .....................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Mobile Workforce Management Terms.............................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Mobile Workforce Management ....................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Meter Data Management Terms ........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Meter Data Management................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Meter Data Applications Terms .........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Leak Detection ...............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Load Forecasting ............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Load Profiling ................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Outage Detection and Restoration .................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Demand Response and Load Management Terms.............Error! Bookmark not defined.
Critical Peak Pricing / Real Time Pricing / Time Of Use (TOU) Pricing ............ Error!
Bookmark not defined.
Demand Response ..........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Load Control ..................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Price Response ...............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Delivery System Management Terms ................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Compatible Units ...........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Design Optimization ......................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Distributed Generation / Distributed Resources ............Error! Bookmark not defined.
Distribution Asset Optimization (DAO) ........................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Gateway .........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
LMP (Locational Marginal Pricing) ..............................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Performance Based Rates (PBR) ...................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Smart Grid ......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2
Trans-Product Terms .........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Open Standards ..............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Open Systems.................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Revenue Assurance ........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Appendix Terms We Cut ..................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3
Preface
This document seeks to define, for the marketplace and as a market leader, the meaning
of certain technology terms. The purposes in doing so are:
 Reduce confusion for those in the marketplace who are less educated about these
terms (includes Itron employees)
 Begin driving toward standardization of the terms so that competitors will have to
discuss these issues on our ground
 Bring higher levels of credibility to Itron by defining terms even when Itron
doesn’t have the best solution in that space
 Reinforce our position as a market leader – position Itron as the company for
market actors to contact when a technology term is unclear
By defining these terms in a credible, consistent, and authoritative manner, we hope to
have several positive impacts.
 All Itron employees use the same definition for these terms.
 Consultants use these definitions.
 Customers and prospective customers use the definitions.
 Itron has credibility in these areas, even if our products are not the best fit.
Audiences for this document include
 Itron employees
 Utility customers and prospective customers
 Regulators / legislators
 Consultants
 Partners
 Competitors
Many people contributed to this document. We would like to thank Don Tebeau, Clare
Reich, Berry Drijsen, Randy Kinsey, Wendy Lohkamp, Sharelynn Moore, Paul Nelsen,
Matt Owens, Janet Penz, Lowell Rust, Greg Lancaster, Michael Kolar, Tim Wolf, and
Randi Neilson.
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Metering and Data Creation Terms
5
Data Logging
Definition
Collecting water meter data at frequent time intervals in order to provide feedback on
usage for billing disputes, water conservation efforts and leak detection. Most water
utilities do not currently collect consumption data more frequently than monthly.
Relevance
As water becomes a scarcer resource and utilities strive for operational efficiencies,
utilities are looking for features such as data logging to provide more detailed data about
water consumption.
Best Fit
Data logging works best in situations where water utilities have the need to record
frequent data in support of expanded customer service efforts or water conservation
programs.
Real World
Increasingly, utilities are inquiring about data logging as leak detection becomes more
important.
Itron Solutions
Itron’s 900 MHz water ERT modules do not support data logging. Itron’s 1430 MHz
water endpoints do support data logging and allow for 840 intervals of scalable data.
200W and 200WP water endpoints support data logging and can be configured for 15
minute, 30 minute, 1 hour or standard bubble up interval of 4 hours.
Related Terms
Interval Data Collection, Meter Data Management
6
Net Metering
Definition
A net register calculates net metering power that has been used by subtracting power
received from the customer from the power delivered to the customer. Net metering
provides the technology to calculate this amount and calculate it as a net amount within
the meter. This saves the utility from needing to record multiple billing values during the
data collection process and performing calculations to determine the net value.
Relevance
C&I customers out of necessity, and residential customers out of environmental interest,
are exploring the option of generating some of their own power through distributed
generation. Technologies for distributed generation include solar, fuel cell, and bio-mass
generation. To support distributed generation, utilities are required to meter the credit for
customer-generated power, as well as the debit for customer-consumed utility power.
Best Fit
Net metering has been used for years at transmission interconnection points, large
customer interconnection points, and large generation stations, to name three uses. It is
commonly used with a utility’s largest five to ten percent of customers. Net metering also
applies to distributed generation, for those customers who have the ability, resources, and
economic incentive to generate power on their own.
Real World
Distributed generation, and thus net metering, has yet to achieve a significant level of
penetration in the marketplace.
Itron Solutions
Itron electricity meters – including the SENTINEL meter, the CENTRON (kWh only)
and R300 meters – support net metering. These products offer flexibility in the
calculation of the billing data to include calculation of the net value.
Related Terms
Distributed Generation
7
Pre-Paid Metering
Definition
The ability to credit a customer’s account or meter for pre-payment for energy. A fairly
common approach is to have customers pre-purchase energy cards or vouchers, much like
they would a pre-paid phone card, and their “Pre-paid–enabled” meter would provide the
interface and communications technology that enables them to redeem the card for
energy on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Relevance
Utilities exploring revenue assurance options are increasingly examining pre-paid
metering. Pre-pay can help improve cash flows. Pre-payment could also be required of
customers with a history of late payment or missed payment.
Best Fit
Barring a utility’s ability to offer significant discounts for pre-payment, the best fit for
pre-paid meter remains accounts that have a history of late or no payment.
Real World
Pre-payment fits best in areas of high customer turnover, historic revenue loss through
nonpayment, and cultures where the theft of service is ingrained. Several deployments are
in place in the US, but this application is not yet a significant growth area in North
America. Pre-payment is common in Africa and South America.
Itron Solutions
Itron does not have a pre-paid metering application, but can provide tools to facilitate
such an application.
Related Terms
Remote Disconnect / Connect, Revenue Assurance
8
Smart Metering
Definition
A foundational technology that automatically collects frequent meter data to support
various applications beyond simply monthly billing.
Relevance
As energy policy influencers such as California and Ontario adopt programs known, at
least colloquially, as “Smart Meter Initiatives,” it becomes important to understand what
is meant by smart metering. This is particularly true as some metering and AMR
manufacturers have labeled their products as “smart meters.”
Best Fit
Itron believes that smart metering encompasses more than a meter’s communications
ability. Smart metering also includes systems that automate meter reading and provide a
frequency and complexity of data that supports applications beyond monthly customer
billing. Some of those applications include forecasting, load management, outage
management and restoration, and variable rate structures. By enabling these types of
applications, smart metering provides benefits to both the provider and the consumer.
This form of smart metering has existed in the marketplace since at least 1994.
It has been most successful in serving the electrical needs of customers in urban and
suburban areas, where the number and density of customers justifies the additional
investment required to implement smart metering. However, smart metering has also
benefited water and natural gas providers and consumers.
Real World
Many utilities large and small are using various automated meter reading (AMR)
technologies to generate, gather and apply the type of frequent meter data promised by
smart metering.
Itron Solutions
Itron’s ERT, electricity metering, automated meter reading products, and meter data
management software all support smart metering.
Related Terms
Mesh Networks, Solid State Meters, Two-Way Networks
9
Solid-State Meters
Definition
Utility meters that rely on solid-state circuitry, rather than mechanical and
electromechanical technology, to generate metering data.
Relevance
The mechanical and electromechanical technology underlying today’s utility metering is
essentially 19th century technology. As meter populations age and utilities examine their
ever-changing business environment, the financial and customer benefits of applying
solid-state circuitry technology to metering become more appealing.
Best Fit
Solid-state metering currently fits best with electricity metering. In metering gas, solidstate technology appears in equipment to compute temperature and pressure variances in
reading gas volumes. For water providers, solid-state technology remains a newer
development.
Real World
Solid-state metering for electricity is used around the world in a variety of settings with a
variety of customers. The electricity marketplace has already transitioned from
electromechanical to solid-state meters for more complex applications such as metering
for commercial and industrial customers and transmission and distribution metering.
Solid-state electricity metering at the residential level is only now beginning to gain some
significant penetration.
Itron Solutions
Itron is a market leader in solid state singlephase electricity metering, having shipped
over 13 million units for a variety of different AMR and non-AMR metering applications.
Itron CENTRON® and SENTINEL® solid-state meters lead the electricity metering
market thanks to the advantages of solid-state architecture, reliability and low-cost
manufacturing. These meters read more accurately, record lower levels of energy
consumption, fight tampering, and communicate with various automatic meter reading
technologies.
Related Terms
Net Metering, Smart Meters
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