Suitability of AMR systems to provide demand control services for LV and MV electricity customers

Availability of new powerful electronic meters (e-meters) and Power Line Communication (PLC) networks of the latest generation brought Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) systems to become the main support to services that Distribution Company (DISCO) can offer to face the competitive deregulated market. The range of services could be particularly wide for those customers who adopt a home automation system, reaching a convenient cost / benefit ratio. In several countries energy authorities are considering the opportunity to adapt their Demand Side Management (DSM) strategy to this new liberalised scenario involving MV and LV customers. DSM requires exchanging information between utilities, meters and load control devices (when available at end user side). The content of messages may range from energy prices and meter readings, to complex data structures and commands in case of users deploying advanced load control systems or, even, in case of third party companies, like Energy Services Company (ESCO), are responsible for energy management of customer premise. This paper reviews AMR system architectures and analyses impact of new requirements on key components.