Metering.com 3 NOVEMBER 2016
US utility co-operative Connexus partnered with energy management solutions firm Honeywell to implement an automated metering infrastructure (AMI) project.
Under the $15 million smart meters project, Honeywell will supply and install 138,000 AMI meters for customers of Connexus in seven counties in Minnesota state.
The smart meters project will be deployed in Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey, Sherburne, Washington and Hennepin counties.
The smart meters will be installed through to mid-2018 and will replace existing analog meters which customers of Connexus have used for the past 22 years.
In addition to installing the smart meters, Honeywell will also deploy its SynergyNet mesh networking software to provide a platform for data transfer between smart meters and the utility firm.
The smart meters project will help Connexus to accurately bill its consumers as well as assist them to reduce their energy usage and costs through participation in energy efficiency and demand response programmes.
By implementing the project, Connexus will have access to consumer usage data on an hourly basis. This will reduce utility’s operational costs through the elimination of monthly door-to-door meter readings.
The AMI system will help Connexus to quickly identify meter tampering incidents and power outages.
“Our mission is simple: keep the lights on for our members by providing electricity in the most cost-effective, reliable and responsible manner,” said Greg Ridderbusch, CEO of Connexus.
Smart meters project deployment
In early October, Honeywell announced that it has been selected to help utility companies owned by Entergy to improve customer services.
The energy management solutions firm said it will supply some 2.3 million smart meters to help Entergy utilities operating in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to improve their grid management.
The $250 million deal falls under efforts by Entergy to ensure that its subsidiaries reduce power outages through quick detection using data provided by smart meters.
In addition, the project will ensure Entergy customers improve their energy management, reduce energy usage and costs through access to real-time energy usage data.
Entergy is using the contract to help its subsidiaries optimise their revenue collection through accurate power billing.
The advanced meters are expected to help the utility firms reduce their carbon footprint by eliminating manual meter readings done using motor vehicles. [Mexico’s CFE selects Honeywell for grid modernisation]
Installation of the smart meters is expected to begin in 2019 through to 2021.
In total, Entergy said it is need of 2.9 million advanced meters.
Image credit: www.palmbeachpost.com.