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American Public Power AssociationSession 6 (PMA)

September 24, 2007

Uses, Costs, and Implementation of AMR/AMI

Herman MillicanAustin Energy

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Agenda

Choosing The Right AMR/AMI Platform

Choosing The Cost Analysis Variables

Lessons Learned In Implementation

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Platforms

Broadband Mobile One-way RF Fixed Network Two-way RF Fixed Network Power Line Carrier Satellite Walk-by Wired Telephone

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Metering Challenges

Load Profile

Totalization

Multiple Accounts

Security Concerns

Hard-To-Read Accounts

Power Quality Monitoring

Web Presentation

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Choosing The Cost Analysis VariablesCurrent State [Base State]

BENEFITS:In addition to “normal” hard costs

Company exposure (Walk By)

Monthly set of eyes on meters (Walk By)

AMRCIS interface provides web-based info

Can use contractor staff for other Soft

Services

AMR reduce customer complaint/question

time

AMR reduce bill prep time

Historical reads

Low error rate, high performance contractor

Low cost per read

Proven reliable system

Neighborhood watchCrime Deterrent

RISKS:Attack by animals (Walk ups)

Human error

No self-evaluation of meters

Technology obsolescence

CIS system is antiquated

Cannot meet customer requests for billing

date

Limited data that can be collected

Weather and traffic impact crews

Database Synchronization

Database Maintenance

Demand response not available

Interface not working

Vehicle accidents

Reduced metering registration (lost

revenue)

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Choosing The Cost Analysis VariablesDesired State [Needs State]

ADVANCED METERING SERVICES:

In addition to “normal” hard costs

Daily Reads

CC Personnel Ping Meters For Current Read

Remote turn on/off

Accommodate Prepaid Metering

Power outage indication

Schedule turn on/off into system

Demand side management (DSM)

TOU

Off-Cycle Reads

Historical Reads

Tamper Notification/Current Diversion

Access Data Warehouse

Data Filtering Mechanism

Faster Notification of Stopped Meters

RISKS:

Technology obsolescence

CIS system is antiquated

Database Maintenance

Error rate above 1 %

Security breaches (ability to hack)

Too much technology

Lower rate of return from new technology

Cost of learning curve/errors

Duplication of integration with CIS systems

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First Deployment ChallengesMulti-Family

Five Major Universities

Multi-Family Units

1000 + Apartment Complexes in the Austin Area

More than 140,000 Units

Move In/Out Reads (Off Cycle Reads)

AE Back Office Resources

Service Orders Generated

Service Trucks on the Streets

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Targeted Deployment

Multi-Family Units

Electric Only Accounts

Single Phase Meters

New Construction Multi-Family Units

Hard to Read Meters

Network Meters (Downtown)

Airport Metering

City of Austin (Municipal) Accounts

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Installation Resources

Customer Information Center – Call Center

Information Technology

Telecommunication Engineering (Radio Network)

Distribution and Substation Engineering

Metering Operations

Project Management

Contracted Resources (Installers and Electrician)

Austin Energy Meter Electricians

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Lessons Learned In Implementation

Billing Cycle Services

Improvement in Cash Flow (Read to Bill1 Day)

Elimination of Estimated Bills and Re-Bills

Reduction in Non-billable Consumption

Reduction in Uncollectible Write-Offs

Reduction in Energy Theft

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Lessons Learned In Implementation

Customer Service

Reduction in High Bill Complaints

Reduction in Call Center Operations (Calls)

Reduction in Service Visits for Customer Problems

Vacancy Monitoring

Ability to move Read dates

Off-Cycle Reads and On-Demand Reads

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Lessons Learned In Implementation

Metering Reading and Operations

Elimination of Manual Meter Reading

Elimination of Special Reads (Move In/Move Out)

Avoided Vehicle and Equipment Costs

Reduction in Employee Injuries

Accelerate Replacement of Old Meters (Increase Revenue)

Database clean-up

Improve Metering Accuracy

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Lessons Learned In Implementation

Strategic Planning

Energy Data Warehousing

Web-based Energy Services

Rate Development

Energy Management Programs

Demand Side Management

Conservation

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Future Austin Energy Benefits

Integrate AMR points with Outage Analysis to improve restoration response times

Investigating AMR for Water on Fixed Network

Investigate the implementation of a Meter Data Warehouse

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Questionsand Answers

Contact Info:Herman Millican(512) 505-7070Herman.millican@AustinEnergy.com