- Automated Meter Reader system is being seriously considered by East Juab communities
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Mona may be part of the new method of meter-reading proposed for use in east Juab County—one that Nephi City has been investigating for implementation in Nephi.
Tony Ferguson, Superintendent of Nephi City Power and Gas Systems, met with the council to discuss the AMR (Automated Meter Reader) technology being seriously considered for adoption by Nephi City and Levan Irrigation Company.
The technology enables utility meters to be read remotely, via radio signals.
Such systems Improve meter reading efficiencies, and though expensive to build and install, save cities money in the long run.
Fences, shrubs, dogs, occupants–all pose a hazard to a utility’s best efforts to gather timely meter data cost-effectively.
“I am not here to sell anything,” said Ferguson. “The last few years Nephi has been looking at such a system.”
He said the time seemed to be right and the installation could, business-wise, finally make sense to officials.
“Nephi budgeted money this year,” said Ferguson.
Meters are frequently located in difficult-to-read locations such as at the back or side of a customer’s residence, in a high-security area or behind a fence. There may be a dog located near the meter.
When the meter reader can’t get to the meter easily, operational costs can soar due to estimated reads, repeat visits and longer route times.
In addition, as Mona has experienced, there can be unpleasant interactions with homeowners.
Once the data is collected, manual data entry errors can leave a utility questioning the reliability and accuracy of the data. In an age when all businesses need to do more with less, the challenge to energy, gas and water utilities is two-fold: collect better meter data and collect it more efficiently.
The trend, both nationally and in the state, is to use remote reads. There are several ways of doing this, he said.
A radio tower on the west of the valley can be accessed at no charge, said Ferguson. The equipment can be mounted on the tower and a study has indicated that the site can work for the communities of Rocky Ridge, Mona, Nephi and Levan.
“The four communities can share some of the costs and make it more feasible for all,” said Ferguson.
Levan Irrigation Company is definitely planning on being a partner. They are installing meters on their pressurized system.
“I am just here to present the costs,” said Ferguson.
The Tower Gateway Base (TGB) will cost $73,000. An additional $49,000 will be needed to install the equipment, computers and etc., at the base station which will be located at Nephi City hall.
Another $6,600 would be charged on an annual basis for the support system.
The technical support cost is fixed but it might be pro-rated to communities depending on the level of use by population. At least, that is a discussion possibility.
“There are different methods,” said Ferguson. “Rocky Mountain Power has chosen to use a drive-by method.”
Mona obtains their power from Rocky Mountain Power. Therefore, the city would only participate on the gas and water meter part of the utility reading proposal.
Fixed Network AMR is a method where a network is permanently installed to capture meter readings. This method can consist of a series of antennas, towers, collectors, repeaters, or other permanently installed infrastructure to collect transmissions of meter readings from AMR capable meters and get the data to a central computer without a person in the field to collect it.
There are several types of networks in use to get the meter data back to a central computer.
A star network is the most common, where a meter transmits its data to a central collector or repeater.
Many AMR devices can also do data logging. The logged data can be used to collect or control time of use or rate of use data that can be used for water, gas or energy usage profiling and time of use billing.
“This is the Cadillac of systems,” said Ferguson.
Automatic meter reading (AMR)-enabled meters must be installed or AMR communications modules must be added onto existing electric, gas and water meters. AMR can also be used to perform off-cycle reads for beginning- and end-of-service account management.
“You can ping a meter at any time and get a read,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson said Nephi is not charging customers for the conversion. Many of the older meters on the gas system need to be replaced at any rate.
Allen Pay, Mona Water Master, said that Mona’s newer meters will just need to be adapted and fitted with a radio device. Only the old ones will need to be replaced.
“I think it would be more beneficial to go in while we are still small,” said Mayor Bryce Lynn.
“I can’t see any negatives,” said Harry Newell, council member.
“I give it two thumbs up,” said Cory Squire, council member. “I think it is a no-brainer and think that we should say that we are on-board.”
Gordon Anderson, council member, suggested the city study the matter and then make a decision.
He wondered about customers who are being served in the county and wondered if they should be charged for conversion or how that issue should be fairly treated.
“They are still your customers,” said Ferguson. “Those are political decisions you must make.”
Everd Squire, financial director, said he would also give the project a two-thumbs up. “Mona is in a position to do quite a bit.”
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