Explanation...

The graph to the left is showing the real-time demand graph for a utility facility in Madison, SD. Note: The time on the graph is central time.

Investor-Owned Utilities

There are several benefits to large utitilies that provide real-time energy and power quality monitoring. They include:

Automated Meter Reading

Internet Energy Systems' real-time energy monitoring also provides meter reading information directly to the utility for import into their billing systems. The value of this capability in many cases will cover the cost of deploying the entire capability. Since an IP network is used, either the utilities or the customers network, no communications charges apply and the data can be received in real-time. Since the utility is providing the customer with the ability to view their meter data in real-time, they will have no problem allowing their network to be used for transfering the data. The transfer is originated within the customer's network, so no customer firewall configuration is typically required.

Customer Service

Service is a very important aspect of a utility's performance in today's environment. Providing customer's with the ability to receive real-time metering data on their desktops is an extraordinary customer service opporunity. Since most, if not all, of the cost is defrayed because the customer's meter no longer needs to be read by an expensive download of data into a laptop or over an expensive phone line, utility's can offer this service without significantly altering their cost structure.

Distribution System Engineering

Another benefit of offering this service to utility customers is that the utility know has access to real-time information about their customer's energy usage. Today, some utilities will have demand information for substations or feeder lines through their SCADA systems. The Internet Energy Systems' real-time monitoring capability allows the utility to view in real-time the usage at an individual customer's site. This information will allow the utility to make their systems more efficient, by having more information about their distribution networks. For instance, a utility with a power quality issue on a feeder line would be able to view in real-time the power factor and other power quality information for customers on that line, determining if any of those customers are contributing to the power quality problem.