Utility Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Electric, Water, and Gas

September 17, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

0924-advanced-metering-infrastructure

Utilities across various sectors – water, gas, and electric – are constantly seeking innovative solutions to better serve their customers. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) presents a transformative opportunity for utilities to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and foster conservation efforts all while enhancing the customer experience. This comprehensive course explores the intricacies of AMI implementation across water, gas, and electric sectors, guiding participants through the multifaceted landscape of system integration, vendor selection, organizational change management, and post-deployment optimization.

Note: Attendance is restricted to individuals without consulting or competing business interests with the speakers, and final admission decisions are at the discretion of EUCI.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the benefits and costs associated with AMI implementation in water, gas, and electric utilities
• Identify the communication technologies integral to AMI systems
• Evaluate integration challenges and opportunities across new and existing utility systems
• Enhance customer communications and engagement through AMI technology
• Navigate the vendor selection process for AMI implementation
• Implement business process transformations necessary for successful AMI integration
• Apply best practices in project management and implementation
• Utilize AMI assets effectively post-deployment

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 : Central Time

 

Introduction to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

• Overview of AMI Technology for Water, Gas, and Electric Utilities
• Systems/Vendors for Consideration as Part of an AMI system
• Network as a Service (NaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) Models
• System Implementation Roadmap
  • Planning and Execution Timeline

The Assessment/Business Case for AMI

• Cost-Benefit Analysis and Return on Investment (ROI)

Vendor Selection for AMI Implementation

• Procurement Strategy and Requirements Gathering
• Evaluation Criteria and Contract Negotiations

AMI Implementation

• AMI Implementation Success – Project/Vendor Management
• Governance and Stakeholder Management
• Risk Management and Project Leadership
• Scope Management and Configuration Control
• System Integration
  • Solutions Architecture and Systems Engineering
  • Testing
• As-Is/To-Be Business Process Mapping
• Organizational Change Management
• Data Management
• Field Deployment Support and Oversight
• Benefits Realization and Lessons Learned

Transition and Ongoing Operations

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

Leveraging AMI as the Foundation

• Integration with Other IT Systems
• Operations Optimization and Analytics
• Leveraging AMI for Operations and Customer Communications
  • All
    • High Bill Complaint Resolution
    • Consumption Reduction Opportunities
  • Water
    • Leak Detection and Pressure Monitoring
    • Water Quality Monitoring and Customer Portal Development
    • Leak Detection for Customers
  • Electric
    • Demand Response
    • Time of Use
    • Conservation Voltage Reduction
  • Gas
    • Cathodic Protection

Other Use Cases to Leverage the System

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.

• 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:

Utility Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Electric, Water, and Gas

September 17, 2024 | 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 August 16, 2024 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 0.7 CEUs for this event

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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: 8.5
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

This course is designed for executives, management, and staff from utility departments including:

• Metering
• Engineering
• Billing
• Customer Service
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Rates

Additionally, it is beneficial for utility general management, board/council members, municipality management, and any stakeholders involved in utilities considering AMI implementation across water, gas, and electric sectors.