Science and technology: Metering gets real

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Fortnightly; (United States)

OSTI ID:6984922

Cain, C J ^[1]

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1. UTILEX Inc., Greenville, NC (United States)

Despite vigorous, prolonged, and widespread activity, conventional automatic meter reading (AMR) has for three decades remained an industry-in-waiting, with sparse sales and little deployment relative to its huge target market. Will real-time metering, with its dramatically greater promise for the utility industry, suffer the same fate The authors think not. Since June 1992, UTILEX Inc. has been conducting in two North Carolina towns the nation's first field trial of real-time metering, fully sponsored by the US Department of Energy. Because the technology can signal over ordinary telephone lines even while they are in use - whether for voice, fax, or modem - the system is able to collect not only meter readings, but also continuous five-minute demand profiles, measure the results of demand-side management (DSM) actions, and monitor power outages at individual meter sites. The system needs no special meters, no load recorders, and no batteries. It does not use the telephone company's test trunk, and requires no additional equipment in the telephone company's central office. Operation is unobtrusive to the customer, to the telephone system, and to the meter, and is under the full control of the utility at all times. The system is also compatible with planned evolutions in telephony.

• OSTI ID: 6984922
• Journal Information: Fortnightly; (United States), Journal Name: Fortnightly; (United States) Vol. 132:7; ISSN FRTNE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
AUTOMATION
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC POWER
METERING
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
POWER