ATLANTA - Because reliability has never been more important, utilities are looking at any and all ways to more quickly identify and restore power after large-scale outages. Many utilities are integrating various systems, including automated meter reading, into their outage management processes in efforts to improve reliability. In fact, 64% of electric utilities use, plan to use, or are considering using AMR to monitor outages, according to a new report from energy research leader Chartwell Inc.
Indeed, about 21% of electric utilities use or plan to use AMR for outage monitoring, while 43% are considering it, according to the report, Improving Reliability with AMR. Using AMR to bolster reliability not only helps improve service but also outage restoration, concludes the new report. AMR has proven most valuable when used to verify power restoration and to pinpoint outages, but when used with outage management systems, it can also help proactively identify outages and problem areas before customers call in, states the 76-page report.
Improving Reliability with AMR includes two chapters of analysis, four case studies and 17 profiles of AMR and outage management system vendors. One case study focuses on how St. Louis-based AmerenUE has integrated its AMR and outage management systems to help detect and restore power. Another case study explains how a North Carolina cooperative saves thousands of dollars by using its powerline carrier system to provide data to improve outage restoration speed.
Improving Reliability with AMR, which is available for $395, is part of The Chartwell Metering Research Series, the only unbiased monthly publication devoted exclusively to the AMR industry. The Series includes monthly issue- and news-oriented reports and case studies on trends and technologies in the AMR industry as well as an annual report with analysis of surveys of 100-plus utilities.
Membership in The Chartwell Metering Research Series is $2,995. For more information call 800.432.5879.
Press contact: Garrett Johnston, 404.237.9099, gjohnston@chartwellinc.com.
