Automatic Meter Infrastructure

Features of Smart Meters

Automatic meter infrastructure (AMI) is synonymous with Smart Metering. Smart Meters are hand held meter reads that measure interval consumption received on 15-minute intervals. The AMI technology uses start-of-the-art meter information to provide two-way communication between installed meters and transmits that data using secure wireless network technology.

Point of Impact for Smart Metering Innovation

Smart Metering provides detailed information for understanding and monitoring supply and demand of energy. The data enables utilities to run efficient power systems. The information collected contains so much data where useful business strategies can be developed to reduce expenses, increase profits and create more valuable customer relationships. To further enhance distribution mechanisms and contracts, Smart Meters have the ability to monitor peaks and troughs where peak load can be controlled through pricing strategies that give customers' incentives to consume more energy in non-peak hours and less energy during peak hours. At the same time, this technology has reduced the risk of systematic failures and blackouts.

Smart Grid = Smart Cities

As the popularity of Smart Grids grows, more municipalities and global initiatives are paving the way for emerging Smart Cities. Smart Grids is the early stage of an energy world revolution. A new urban reality is emerging in the 21st century and it will take smart grid to an entirely new, breathtaking level. Smart Cities are using the detailed information and communication technologies to better understand and manage everyday living of metropolitan growth. With such projects taking shape, the future of smart cities seems bright.

There are over 100 Smart City projects worldwide and Smart Grids are the primary reason for this advancement in technology. Investments in the million are being made for these Smart Cities are they ending effect is reduced expenses. For example, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil is part of the smart cities program. Smart technology there is simultaneously monitoring electricity, water and gas services; along with weather, crimes, fires, traffic and other services and conditions of urban life. In fact, a new operation center knits together data from 30 agencies (Rosenberg, 2012).

For Smart Metering

As mentioned before, business strategies have been developed to reduce expenses, increase profits, and create invaluable customer relationships. Smart Meters have helped us understand the relationship between the supply and demand of energy. Smart Metering has proved beneficial for the United States as municipalities have used those same concepts of monitoring energy usages to morph into monitoring wireless networks,