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I agree.Sounds like they expect electric rates to become volatile and want to make sure they're not left holding too big of a bag at any time
I agree.Sounds like they expect electric rates to become volatile and want to make sure they're not left holding too big of a bag at any time
The company I work for already stores NG and we have multiple Hydros.The issue is that NG storage is not economically feasible and the gas lines froze in Texas and the windmills were not winter grade so they had nothing. If they had coal plants and coal on the ground they would have been better off.
A nuke cannot be turned on or shut down on whims, it is a big process. Yes, they could store rods but that in not germane to this topic. We are discussing the flexibility coal gives over other sources.
How the heck do you store hydro? And what river capable of major energy creation should we put this on?
Share who benefits and how?Interesting subject. Having spent 26 years with electric cooperatives and been through two conversion to "Advanced Metering Infrastructure". AMI provides benefits to both the member and the utility.
Where I worked their reasoning was for safety and dog bites to the meter readers.Given that pipeline hack, I'm surprised companies don't see the benefit of having a person actually read the meters and just keep it simple.
Everyday the Operations department ran reports looking for trouble spot, one such report focus on blink counts. This information was used to analyze the distribution system for areas that might need right of way maintenance before that area was scheduled for clearing. Another report would look for over or under voltage issue, if a transformer was going bad it would be replaced before the member suffered an outage. Those kind of outages usually happened after hours and overtime. The information was also used to look for line imbalance, a balanced system would have less line loss. AMI also tied into the Outage Management System, real time data, the co-op knew the meter was out of service before the member even called in. Meter data was used to monitor the system during outages, Operation Department didn't have to roll a crew out to check to see if the power was on saving time and money. SCIREMC is one of the more progressive cooperatives and has been for years. I didn't work for them, but I was familiar with the co-op. Power companies like Hoosier Energy will be requiring more up to date information as balancing resources with load become more critical as more renewables are added to the system. Member meter data is important to the co-op, which is important to power provider and even to the Midwest balancing authority. It's a very complicated system and all has to work together.Share who benefits and how?
Just don’t see anything I need, I’ll keep my old school…Everyday the Operations department ran reports looking for trouble spot, one such report focus on blink counts. This information was used to analyze the distribution system for areas that might need right of way maintenance before that area was scheduled for clearing. Another report would look for over or under voltage issue, if a transformer was going bad it would be replaced before the member suffered an outage. Those kind of outages usually happened after hours and overtime. The information was also used to look for line imbalance, a balanced system would have less line loss. AMI also tied into the Outage Management System, real time data, the co-op knew the meter was out of service before the member even called in. Meter data was used to monitor the system during outages, Operation Department didn't have to roll a crew out to check to see if the power was on saving time and money. SCIREMC is one of the more progressive cooperatives and has been for years. I didn't work for them, but I was familiar with the co-op. Power companies like Hoosier Energy will be requiring more up to date information as balancing resources with load become more critical as more renewables are added to the system. Member meter data is important to the co-op, which is important to power provider and even to the Midwest balancing authority. It's a very complicated system and all has to work together.
Members can access their billing information online and monitor their own usage. Prepaid metering is an option with some utilities, nice thing about that is the member can pay as they go or purchase just what they need. AMI also provided information for the member on usage. If a members usage was out of spec say on the high end they could be notified of a problem before they opened their bill and got a surprise. AMI meters do not shut off power unless a member has a poor history of paying then the meter tech is sent out to install a disconnect collar between the meter base and the meter. Non paying members cost everyone money.
The benefits from AMI help to reduce operating cost which are reflected in the rate structure. AMI provides a lot of information in keeping the rates as low as possible and keeping the lights on.
I'll put a plug in for SCIREMC, they have been doing an excellent job of Right of Way maintenance here in Brown County.
AMI meters do not shut off power unless a member has a poor history of paying then the meter tech is sent out to install a disconnect collar between the meter base and the meter.
Utilities do make mistakes and it was part of my job to help correct those mistakes. Communication networks do go down and then come back. And no cooperatives do not sell you information, they can't even give out your information to someone whose not on the account. If the account in your name only then we couldn't even discuss your account with your spouse. So, if the account in only in your name and you have a someone you'd like to have access to your account information then you need to contact the utility and have them added to the account.Sure, and they never make a mistake. Utilities will never use this tech to meter use, the communications network used to operate the meters will never go down, and the information collected on your usage patterns won't be sold to anyone.
Sorry, I'm not a believer.
I think they can make mistakes, everyone does. But I look at it this way, If you power is cut off in error for non payment, they send a signal down a computer and kill your power, a phone call can get it turned back on. If they send a guy out to disconnect your power, good luck getting that turned back on soon. The guy cutting your lines can make mistakes too. (as far as metering your use or collecting info, Do you think they don't do that already?)Sure, and they never make a mistake. Utilities will never use this tech to meter use, the communications network used to operate the meters will never go down, and the information collected on your usage patterns won't be sold to anyone.
Sorry, I'm not a believer.
First off you keep saying cooperatives, they are just 7% of Indiana electric providers.Utilities do make mistakes and it was part of my job to help correct those mistakes. Communication networks do go down and then come back. And no cooperatives do not sell you information, they can't even give out your information to someone whose not on the account. If the account in your name only then we couldn't even discuss your account with your spouse. So, if the account in only in your name and you have a someone you'd like to have access to your account information then you need to contact the utility and have them added to the account.
I don'tFirst off you keep saying cooperatives, they are just 7% of Indiana electric providers.
We all have heard the crap that [put in data collection entity] will not sell your data, but by golly, there it is, out there. How do you know what investor owned utilities do?