Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) For Water Utilities

August 28-29, 2023 | Online :: Central Time

0823-water-advanced-metering

“It’s never too late to continue your education!!” City of North Little Rock-Electric Department Attendee

Water utilities are continually looking for ways to more effectively and efficiently meet the needs of their customers. AMI provides a unique opportunity for water utilities to meet those needs while saving money, improving utility operations, and enhancing conservation opportunities.

AMI implementation can be challenging because, unlike many other utility projects, it is a “system of systems.” This means that many groups and IT/OT systems within the utility must work together to achieve a successful outcome. Metering, Customer Service, Billing, Engineering, and Information Technology all play an important part in implementing an AMI system. In addition, excellent customer engagement and organizational change management are critical success factors.

This course will walk you through all these aspects of implementing an AMI project to achieve success; special discounts apply for groups of 5 or more so register your whole team today!

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the main benefits and costs associated with a water AMI business case
• Review the basic communication technologies involved in AMI
• Discuss integration challenges and opportunities between new and existing systems
• Identify the customer communications improvements available with AMI
• Address key factors in selecting AMI vendors
• Discuss the Business Process Transformation and associated organizational change necessary to effectively implement AMI
• Recognize best practices in AMI project implementation and management
• Discuss how to leverage AMI assets after deployment

Monday, August 28, 2023 : Central Time

 

Introduction

 

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Technology Overview

• Key Solution Components (Meter/Module, Network, Head End Software, Meter Data Management Software)
• AMI – Smart Water Network
• Industry Trends
• NaaS and SaaS

System Implementation Roadmap

• Solutions Architecture/Systems Engineering
• What and When

The Business Case for AMI System Implementation

• Do you need one?
• Costs (Products, Services, Support, Internal)
• Benefits (Tangible, Intangible)
• Return on Investment (ROI)/Net Present Value (NPV)
• Case Study

Vendor Selection for Advanced Metering Infrastructure

• Overall Procurement Strategy
• Basic Recipe (Strategy, Requirements, Pricing, Evaluation, Shortlist, Selection, Contract Negotiations)
• Vendor Selection Trends – Request vs. Response
• Lessons Learned
• Case Study

Advanced Metering Infrastructure Business Process Transformation

• Benefit Tiers
• As-Is/To-Be Process Mapping
• Lessons Learned
• Case Study

The Science and Art of AMI System Implementation Success

• Governance
• Monitoring and Controlling Schedule and Budget
• Risk Management and Project Leadership
• Project Status
• Stakeholder Management
• Managing Scope Creep
• Configuration Control

Transition and Ongoing Operations

• Pre-Transition Planning
• Transition Execution
• Post-Transition Evaluation and Correction

 

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 : Central Time

Leveraging AMI as the Foundation

• Definitions
• Vendor Perspectives
• How Perspectives Change

Integration to Other IT Systems

• Small Data to Big Data
• Why Integrate
• How to Integrate

Leveraging the AMI System – Operations

• Leak Detection – District Metering Areas (DMAs)
• Pressure/Temperature Monitoring
• Water Quality Monitoring

Leveraging the AMI System – Customer Communications

• Customer Portal
• High Bill Complaint Resolution
• Customer Leak Detection

Leveraging the AMI System – Rates

• Demand/Consumption Analysis and Forecasting
• Rate Programs (Pre-Pay/Time of Use Pricing)

Leveraging the AMI System – Analytics

• Data Storage
• Analytics Tools
• Case Studies

Sharing the AMI Network

• Use by the Municipality – Street Light Control
• Use by Other Utilities 3rd party sensors

Conclusion and Wrap Up

Joel Westvold, PMP, brings a unique perspective to addressing smart meter issues facing utilities based on his 35 years of experience in implementing programs at utilities and providing technology solutions to utility customers to meet their AMI needs. In recent years, he has led several Water AMI feasibility studies and business cases. Joel has experience in a senior management capacity for a large electric utility as well as executive management experience with a technology solutions provider to the utility industry. Joel led a team that implemented an award‐winning AMI project that involved the installation of over 800,000 electric meters, the network to communicate with the meters and integration of the technology with utility systems to gain the most financial benefit and efficiency possible. Joel has led teams of Engagement Directors and Project Managers in the delivery of nearly a hundred smart meter projects involving water, gas and electric endpoints, including an area of focus on several large projects of over 1 million meters/endpoints. Joel has managed AMI efforts at Halifax Water, Huntsville Utilities, Silicon Valley Power, Merced Irrigation District, and Contra Costa Water District. Joel holds an Executive MBA from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Oregon State University.

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Mark Hatfield has 20 years of experience in utility operational technologies. His expertise includes project management, strategic visioning, business process modeling, requirements definition, business case development, vendor selection, integration and implementation planning, system configuration, deployment strategies, and project audits. He has developed product roadmaps, project implementation methodologies, and is an expert at IT integrations. Mr. Hatfield’s expertise includes providing consulting and architecture support for the acquisition and deployment Smart Grid solutions encompassing complete, end-to-end responsibilities to fully implement an advanced smart grid solution with AMI, MDMS, DR, and web portal technologies; and integration with the CIS; developing all Smart Grid solution business processes; and ensuring implementation of the processes through design, implementation, and testing. His recent work includes creating the overall AMI vision, phased implementation schedule, business case development, vendor selection strategy, and RFP process, and providing consulting and vendor selection support for the business case development, technology acquisition, and AMI planning. He holds Masters and Bachelor degrees in Geography from the University of Illinois and the U.S. Air Force Academy, respectively.

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Mark Johnson is an expert at implementing and integrating IT systems in a water utility with decades of deep practical knowledge and recently supported MDMS efforts at City of Clearwater, Huntsville Utilities, Halifax Regional Water Commission, and Fort Collins Utilities. Mark has 20 years of experience in smart grid, AMI, MDMS, field automation, and geospatial systems for water, gas and electric utility operation. His expertise includes project management, strategic visioning, business process modeling, requirements definition, business case development, vendor selection, integration and implementation planning, system configuration, deployment strategies, and project audits. He has developed product roadmaps, project implementation methodologies, and is an expert at IT integrations. Mark’s recent work includes creating the overall AMI vision, phased implementation schedule, business case development, vendor selection strategy, and RFP process for Huntsville Utilities’ AMI and MDMS. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Management from Colorado Christian University.

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: After November 30 you will not be able to join a Teams meeting using Internet Explorer 11. Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) For Water Utilities

August 28-29, 2023 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before July 28, 2023 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this event

Requirements For Successful Completion

Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

This program will use PowerPoint presentations, Excel demonstrations, group discussions, as well as active participation

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 10.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

Executives, management and staff from the following utility departments:

• Metering
• Engineering
• Billing
• Customer Service
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Rates
• Utility General Management
• Board/Council Members
• Municipality Management
• Any stakeholder involved with a utility considering AMI