Editing Automatic meter reading (section)

== Brief history==
In 1972, [[Theodore Paraskevakos|Theodore George "Ted" Paraskevakos]], while working with [[Boeing]] in [[Huntsville, Alabama]], developed a sensor monitoring system which used digital transmission for security, fire and medical alarm systems as well as meter reading capabilities for all utilities. This technology was a spin-off of the automatic telephone line identification system, now known as [[caller ID]].

In 1974, Paraskevakos was awarded a U.S. patent for this technology.<ref>{{US Patent|3,842,208}} (Sensor Monitoring Device)</ref> In 1977, he launched Metretek, Inc.,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metretekfl.com/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010223154025/http://www.metretekfl.com/ | archive-date=2001-02-23 | title=Metretrek is your competitive edge for automatic remote data collection, electronic pressure monitoring and automated meter reading (AMR) systems }}</ref> which developed and produced the first fully automated, commercially available remote meter reading and load management system. Since this system was developed pre-Internet, Metretek utilized the [[IBM Series/1|IBM series 1 mini-computer]].  For this approach, Paraskevakos and Metretek were awarded multiple patents.<ref>{{US Patent|4,241,237}} and {{US Patent|4,455,453}} and Canadian Patent # 1,155,243 (Apparatus and Method for Remote Sensor Monitoring, Metering and Control)</ref>

The primary driver for the automation of meter reading is not to reduce labor costs, but to obtain data that is difficult to obtain.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} As an example, many water meters are installed in locations that require the utility to schedule an appointment with the homeowner in order to obtain access to the meter. In many areas, consumers have demanded that their monthly water bill be based on an actual reading, instead of (for example) an estimated monthly usage based on just one actual meter reading made every 12 months. Early AMR systems often consisted of walk-by and drive-by AMR for residential customers, and telephone-based AMR for commercial or industrial customers. What was once a need for monthly data became a need for daily and even hourly readings of the meters. Consequently, the sales of drive-by and telephone AMR has declined in the US, while sales of fixed networks has increased. The US [[Energy Policy Act of 2005]] asks that electric utility regulators consider the support for a "...time-based rate schedule ''(to)'' enable the electric consumer to manage energy use and cost through advanced metering and '''communications technology'''."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/publ_109-058.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303163112/http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/publ_109-058.pdf |archive-date=2011-03-03 }} US Congress, Energy Policy Act of 2005</ref>
The trend now is to consider the use of advanced meters as part of an [[Advanced Metering Infrastructure|advanced metering infrastructure]].[[Image:First Automatic Meter Reading and Load Management System.jpg|thumb|right|The first commercially available remote meter reading and load management system - Metretek, Inc. (1978)]]

=== Advanced AMR and AMI ===
Originally AMR devices just collected meter readings electronically and matched them with accounts. As technology has advanced, additional data could then be captured, stored, and transmitted to the main computer, and often the metering devices could be controlled remotely. This can include events alarms such as tamper, leak detection, low battery, or reverse flow. Many AMR devices can also capture interval data, and log meter events. The logged data can be used to collect or control time of use or rate of use data that can be used for water or energy usage profiling, time of use billing, demand forecasting, [[demand response]], [[Volumetric flow rate|rate of flow]] recording, [[leak detection]], flow monitoring, [[Water conservation|water]] and [[energy conservation]] enforcement, remote shutoff, etc. [[Advanced metering infrastructure]], or AMI is the new term coined to represent the networking technology of fixed network meter systems that go beyond AMR into remote utility management. The meters in an AMI system are often referred to as [[smart meter]]s, since they often can use collected data based on programmed logic.

The Automatic Meter Reading Association (AMRA) endorses the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) resolution to eliminate regulatory barriers to the broad implementation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). The resolution, passed in February 2007,<ref>[http://www.naruc.org/Resolutions/res.to.remove.regulatory.barriers.to.the.broad.implementation.of.advanced.metering.infrastructure.pdf Resolution to Remove Regulatory Barriers to the Broad Implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726050336/http://www.naruc.org/Resolutions/res.to.remove.regulatory.barriers.to.the.broad.implementation.of.advanced.metering.infrastructure.pdf |date=2011-07-26 }} (from [http://www.naruc.org/resolutions.cfm?action=doit&AdoptedDate=2007-02-21&committeeID=50&criteria= NARUC Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment Resolutions of 2007-02-21] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214020818/http://www.naruc.org/resolutions.cfm?action=doit&AdoptedDate=2007-02-21&committeeID=50&criteria= |date=2009-02-14 }})</ref> acknowledged the role of AMI in supporting the implementation of dynamic pricing and the resulting benefits to consumers. The resolution further identified the value of AMI in achieving significant utility operational cost savings in the areas of outage management, revenue protection and asset management. The resolution also called for AMI business case analysis to identify cost-effective deployment strategies, endorsed timely cost recovery for prudently incurred AMI expenditures and made additional recommendations on rate making and tax treatment of such investments.

===Benefits of advanced metering===
Advanced metering systems can provide benefits for utilities, retail providers and customers. Benefits will be recognized by the utilities with increased efficiencies, outage detection, tamper notification and reduced labor cost as a result of automating reads, connections and disconnects. Retail providers will be able to offer new innovative products in addition to customizing packages for their customers.  In addition, with the meter data being readily available, more flexible billing cycles would be available to their customers instead of following the standard utility read cycles.  With timely usage information available to the customer, benefits will be seen through opportunities to manage their energy consumption and change from one REP to another with actual meter data. Because of these benefits, many utilities are moving towards implementing some types of AMR solutions.

In many cases, smart metering is required by law (e.g. Pennsylvania's Act 129 (2008)).

The benefits of smart metering for the utility.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}

* Accurate meter reading, no more estimates
* Improved billing
* Accurate profile classes and measurement classes, true costs applied
* Improved security and tamper detection for equipment
* Energy management through profile data graphs
* Less financial burden correcting mistakes
* Less accrued expenditure
* Transparency of "cost to read" metering
* Improved procurement power though more accurate data &mdash; "de-risking" price
* In cases of shortages, utility will be able to manage/allocate supply.

The benefits of smart metering for the customer.
* Improved billing and tracking of usage.

===Disadvantages of advanced metering===

* Risk of loss of privacy &mdash; details of use reveal information about user activities<ref name="ieee">[https://spectrum.ieee.org/privacy-on-the-smart-grid Privacy on the Smart Grid]</ref>
* Greater potential for monitoring by other/unauthorized third parties<ref name=ieee />
* Potentially reduced reliability (more complicated meters, more potential for interference by third parties)<ref name=ieee />
* Increased security risks from network or remote access<ref name=ieee />

=== Notable deployments ===
Construction practices, weather, and the need for information drive utilities in different parts of the world towards AMR at different rates. In the US, there have been significant fixed network deployments of both RF based and PLC based technologies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pplelectric.com/NR/rdonlyres/202A6200-A8EE-4433-9FDA-0DA738570592/0/StatementofReasons.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-09-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715111206/http://www.pplelectric.com/NR/rdonlyres/202A6200-A8EE-4433-9FDA-0DA738570592/0/StatementofReasons.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-15 }} PPL 1.3 million residential and commercial electric meters</ref> Some countries have either deployed or plan to deploy<ref>[http://tdworld.com/customer_service/power_swedish_utility_amr/] Sweden, (Vattenfall) 850k meters</ref> AMR systems throughout the entire country.

==== SPAR ====
By using a combination of AMR and energy analytics reports, [[Spar (retailer)|SPAR]] were able to reduce energy consumption by 20%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stark.co.uk/resources/case-studies/spar/|title=SPAR - Stark's energy management helps exceed cost reduction targets - Stark|work=Stark|access-date=2018-04-30|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Australia ====
AMI in Australia has grown from both government policy which sought to rectify observed market inefficiencies, and distribution businesses who looked to gain operational efficiencies.  In July 2008, there was a mandated program being planned in Victoria for the deployment of 2.6 million meters over a 4-year period.  The anticipated peak installation rate of AMI meters was 5,000 per day across Victoria.  The program governance was provided by an industry steering committee.

In 2009 the Victorian Auditor General undertook a review of the program and found that there were "significant inadequacies" in advice to Government and that project governance "has not been appropriate".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itnews.com.au/News/160398,auditor-general-slams-victorian-smart-meters.aspx|title = Auditor-General slams Victorian smart meters}}</ref>  The Victorian government subsequently announced a moratorium of the program<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/9853.html |title=MORATORIUM TO ENSURE SMOOTH SMART METER ROLL-OUT - Premier of Victoria |access-date=2010-03-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810042218/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/9853.html |archive-date=2010-08-10 }}</ref>

<!--This section needs additional citations including PG&E, Ontario Power, AmerenUE-->
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071120053451/http://www.puc.state.tx.us/electric/projects/34610/Commission_Report_on_Advanced_Metering.pdf Public Utility Commission of Texas Report 2006]
*Pennsylvania, ([[Exelon]]-PECO) 2.2 million meters deployed
*Missouri, ([[Ameren]]) 1.7 million meters deployed.