By Jesse Berst
Waterworld has just published a helpful look at the challenges to deploying water advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). It starts with an overview, pointing out that AMI is much more than just meter to cash. "The real value... is the ability to retrieve interval consumption data to support new rates, utility operations and customer engagement," says author Kevin Cornish, Smart Grid Consulting Practice Lead with Black & Veatch.
The four cornerstones of success, according to Cornish, are:
1. Understand the requirements of current and future IT (information technology)
2. Understand the capabilities you will need in house to support the new communications network and the new IT
3. Pay attention to organizational change management
4. Develop a customer engagement strategy (up front, not after the fact)
The article stresses that water utilities have to decide who needs what – what level of online data access is required and by whom. If a utility has a portal for customers, then the portal must have access to the AMI data. Likewise, if the customer service department wants to use the AMI data to resolve inquiries, it must have access to the data.
The article also warns that utilities must transform into communications companies when they take on responsibility for a communications network that must operate 24x7. It also delves into the many new capabilities water utilities must put in place once AMI comes on board. "With all this," says Cornish, "it requires the utility to become competent in the information systems it deploys, the business processes it implements, and the personnel it employs to support these new technologies."
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Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.
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