How to design successful AMI implementations with data analytics

BY KEVIN CORNISH & ROB YOUNG, Black & Veatch

Electric utilities embarked on their smart meter programs envisioning the delivery of quantifiable benefits as well as strategic value. Initial business cases were developed to identify cost offsets, operational savings and expected return on investment (ROI). Project management techniques were used to ensure that identified requirements were delivered and benefits obtained.

However, accuracy of the project benefit value decreased dramatically with the inclusion of less-defined benefits. As smart meter programs were delivering expanded capabilities that were new to the industry, the benefits of some strategic capabilities were difficult to quantify, as they involved future state organizational design, evolving advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) hardware and software technology, and data analytic opportunities that were not well understood. These advanced capabilities were therefore not included in the initial AMI project or they were included as loosely defined objectives.