Smart meters in operation center

Vattenfall are developing the Smart metering system from initially an AMR system with basic functionality for meter value collections in a direction to be a part of a Smart Grid conception. It has been possible by using the full potential of the AMI and Smart metering system with the possibility to monitor the low voltage grid regarding power interruptions and power quality. Up to know it has not been possible to follow up the quality of supply in the low voltage grid and for each customer´s premises. By using “realtime” events from Smart meters the grid Operation Center can improve quality of supply by monitor power interruptions, actual incidents and preventing damages. Reduced cost for customer compensation and improved quality of supply is the main outcome. The main goal is to lowering SAIDI and increase customers´ satisfaction. The ambitions for the future are to detect power outages in the low voltage grid faster and regardless of customer calls. By set up rules for automatic filtering of “meter down” events from the Smart metering system real power outage situations could be identified with higher accuracy. Such an algorithm requires grid connectivity data with acceptable data quality. The quality of the grid documentation (NIS, network information database) is essential for this functionality. Integration of the AMI / Smart metering systems with DMS / Scada systems will give the operators in the control center a better view of the low voltage grid and the status in the grid. Unacceptable situations like Power Outages, zero faults, etc. could easily be displayed and located to actual grid sections on the operators screen. With right system tools it´s also possible to reorganize the work processes and let the Customer Service Center solve problems like phase loss and single outage sit