Starting in early 2017, Metering Dynamics will begin upgrading metering equipment which use 2G communications and are utilising the Vodafone Network. Here’s what you might like to know:
What is metering equipment?
Metering equipment refers to the devices used to measure, interpret and communicate data relating to electricity, gas or water consumption.
Why is the metering equipment being upgraded?
Vodafone have publically announced cessation dates for their 2G technology as 2017/2018.
Metering Dynamics need to upgrade existing 2G equipment in order to continue to provide usage information as your metering provider and continue to deliver your information solutions. Metering Dynamics have made the decision to conduct an Australia wide upgrade of metering, ensuring that all sites are refreshed and the latest equipment installed. The refresh of metering equipment will ensure that Metering Dynamics can continue to provide reliable data and information systems.
Is there a cost for the upgrade?
There will be no cost to you for this upgrade as this is part of our commitment to providing quality metering and customer service.
Will there be an outage?
In most instances an outage will not be required and a Metering Dynamics representative will be on site for less than 30 minutes.
What equipment is being upgraded?
The equipment being upgraded depends on the specific installation. A Metering Dynamics representative will be in touch with you prior to your upgrade date to discuss the upgrade requirements for your site/s.
When will my metering equipment be upgraded?
Meter upgrades for Vodafone start in 2017 and are expected to be completed early 2018.
Why is only Vodafone equipment being upgraded?
Only sites utilising the 2G network are being upgraded as sites that already utilise newer technology are not affected by the change. Telstra and Optus upgrades were completed in 2016, Vodafone sites were not scheduled at the time as decommission timings had yet to be confirmed. Vodafone confirmed these timings in September 2016.
You can find out more about the 2G network decommissioning through the link below.
Vodafone media release
What do I need to do?
A letter was sent to your business contact in January 2017, notifying of the upgrades and providing a list of sites that were involved and the site contact details for each. To ensure quality customer service, this letter requested that site contact information be reviewed and updates provided (where discrepancies are found). Updates to site contact information should be sent to CommunicationsUpgrade@meteringdynamics.com.au
Didn’t find your answer
If you have more questions, please let us know via our dedicated email address and a Metering Dynamics representative will be in contact
CommunicationsUpgrade@meteringdynamics.com.au
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Changes to Meter Churn Rules as of Sept 2015
As of 1st September 2015, AEMO have implemented new rules surrounding the Meter Churn Data Management Procedure and Meter Churn Procedures for Financially Responsible Market Participants for type 1-4 metering. The purpose of initiating the rules is to remove inconsistencies on Meter Churn.
The following table is a brief summary of the impacted processes:
For more detailed information or to see how these changes may affect you or your business, please read the full article here.
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Case Study – Embedded Networks
One of Australia’s largest property management companies recently engaged Metering Dynamics to supply, install and commission an embedded network into a prestigious property in Sydney’s CBD.
The multi tenanted commercial high rise is nestled in the heart of Sydney’s CBD and hosts a range of tenants, from major blue chips through to smaller retail outlets, café’s and meeting areas.
Metering Dynamics was engaged to install a compliant metering system that would enable the property management company, who are also a registered Embedded Network Operator (ENO), to accurately on-bill the tenants for their consumption. This provided the tenants with a competitive market rate, whilst also providing an additional revenue stream for the property management company.
Establishing an embedded network correctly means installing compliant metering infrastructure at the same high standard as contestable/market metering. In addition knowledge of the Parent, Child and Orphan processes, LNSP requirements, and engaging with a licenced Embedded Network Operator ensures the process is smooth and trouble free.
For this Sydney site, that meant installing over 60 tenant meters and 3 new gate meters. Comprising single and three phase meters the new infrastructure was networked to a remote communication system to enable the supply of monthly data to their billing agent. Liaison with the LNSP to ensure the correct notification process occurred and removed assets were returned also occurred.
By having a remotely read system the costs and associated issues (access, accuracy etc.) of manually reading the metering systems are removed and a reliable supply of billing data is established.
For suitable sites, payback on capital is generally under two years. Payback periods for new developments are usually under a year, though these payback periods do depend on the take up rates.
If you would like further information regarding Embedded Networks, or have an enquiry about a site you manage, please contact our sales team – sales@meteringdynamics.com.au
In July 2015 Metering Dynamics’ head office moved to Newstead OLD. Click here to view our current contact information.
As of 1st September 2015, AEMO have implemented new rules surrounding the Meter Churn Data Management Procedure and Meter Churn Procedures for Financially Responsible Market Participants for type 1-4 metering. The purpose of initiating the rules is to remove inconsistencies on Meter Churn.
The following table is a brief summary of the impacted processes:
What IS changing?
1. A Retailer (FRMP) can request and nominate a change in Service Provider for MP/MDP services only when they are the active FRMP in the market. This transfer must occur prior to the MP/MDP nomination being submitted. E.g. where there is a new incoming Retailer and a change of MP/MDP is required, the NMI must firstly be transferred to the new Retailer under their existing MP/MDP arrangements as per MSATS.
2. Once the appropriate nominated Retailer takes effect in MSATS the Retailer (FRMP) has 3 months to transfer the site to the new MP/MDP.
What IS NOT changing?
1. In the instance where there will not be a change of Retailer and a change of MP/MDP is required the standard current transfer process applies, the Retailer can nominate the MP/MDP prior to proposed transfer over date for the MP/MDP to install meters prior to the transfer date, the incumbent MDP will continue to send data via the current data churn process and the transfer can go ahead as per current process.
2. All Greenfield sites and sites with basic meters are managed as they are currently and are not impacted by the New Churn Rules.
Customer Impacts:
Metering Dynamics have considered carefully the impacts of the New Churn rules with respect to current processes/contracts, customer requirements and meeting customer expectations and would like to share the following with you to help you to understand the effects.
Where there is an expected Retailer change-over at the same time a meter change-over is required (i.e. new Retail contract commencement aligns with New Metering Agreement where Metering Dynamics meters are to be installed);
1. The meter change-over will occur after the proposed Contract commencement date (within a 3 month time frame) as nominated by the Retailer.
2. The consumption data and associated information service packages will not be available from the proposed contract commencement date, this will become available as the meters are installed and the appropriate market transfer occurs. It is expected that this will more than likely be a different date for each site.
3. Large portfolio transfers will need to be managed carefully so as to ensure the Retailer provides sufficient installation time frames.
4. It will be extremely important for both Metering Dynamics and our customers to communicate and coordinate to remain on top of the transfer process, in order to ensure meters are transferred ASAP after the Retailer transfer occurs.
5. Metering Fee’s and any other related charges can only be recovered from the registered transfer date in the market to new MP/MDP.
6. Where customers can arrange for data to be forwarded from the incumbent MDP from the proposed Contract commencement date, Metering Dynamics will be happy to accept a NEM12 data feed to ensure service continuity and provide back fill of any data not available from Metering Dynamics meters.
If you have any further questions surrounding these changes, please contact sales@meteringdynamics.com.au
Alternatively AEMOs communications surrounding the changes to Meter Churn rules can be found here.
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Metering Dynamics’ information solutions cater for more than just standard electricity data.
Metering Dynamics has long been known for the installation and measurement of interval electricity meters. However Metering Dynamics’ information solutions have been designed with the flexibility to cater for a wide range of customer portfolios including;
• Electricity generation: Both EMP Multi Plus and InfoDynamics are capable of loading and reporting on import (generation) data where four quadrant metering is installed on site Note: Import channels are not loaded or displayed in either EMP Multi Plus or InfoDynamics by default, please contact the information team to organise set-up.
• Data from other MDA’s: Metering Dynamics’ MDA has the capability to warehouse data provided by alternate MDA’s and send that data through to Metering Dynamics’ information systems.
• Cyclic electricity data: EMP Multi Plus and InfoDynamics can also import and report on cyclic electricity data, sent via the MDA.
• Water and gas data: Both EMP Multi Plus and InfoDynamics can be used to report on Water and Gas usage where Metering Dynamics has sub-metering installed. Many of Metering Dynamics’ customers take advantage of this functionality to identify leaks using exception reporting and benchmark like sites to identify sites with excessive usage.
To find out how you can better utilise EMP Multi Plus or InfoDynamics, contact the information team via mdinfosupport@meteringdynamics.com.au
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A comprehensive metering specification is available for your information and use.
Specifying the incorrect type of electricity meter or data logger for your project can significantly impact on time, performance and cost. To assist in this area Metering Dynamics has worked with our existing customers and partners to develop a comprehensive metering specification that makes the process of specifying metering quick & simple.
The Metering Dynamics Metering Specification includes requirements, technical specifications and recommendations to ensure the most suitable electricity metering and data logging solutions are chosen for your project.
Metering Dynamics thorough metering specification covers a range of metering scenarios and applicable metering or data logging solutions, including:
• Utility Revenue Metering
• Tenancy Metering
• Base Building Metering
• Sub Metering of Electricity, Water & Gas
A generic version of the document is available via our website Generic Metering Specification
For further information about this Metering Specification please contact Metering Dynamics on 1300 792 611.
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Has your site been compromised?
Ever wanted to know quickly that a site or a circuit has lost power, or suffered a brown out (loss of phase)? Did you know that Metering Dynamics can provide a near real time alarming service for suitable metering installations? This service provides you with a notification so you can take appropriate action to protect stock, ensure safety is maintained, manage your operations and minimise any impact?
For more information contact Metering Dynamics and ask about our Loss of Supply solution.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) National Electricity Market (NEM) Rules (specifically chapter 7 relating to metering equipment) contain the approach that is required with respect to the management of metering assets. A business can submit, and if successful obtain, AEMO approval to implement alternative testing/inspection/maintenance approaches with respect to its metering assets and part of its wider Metering Asset Management Plan (MAMP).
The traditional pricing of MP/MDP services from metering businesses exclude the ongoing maintenance and testing of the VT and/or CT assets as these assets are not theirs to maintain “fit for purpose”. The costs associated with the compliance for maintenance of the VT’s and or CT’s is a matter for the Responsible Person (generally the Retailer) and for to determine its strategy on how to recover or minimise these costs to its business.
The NER’s dictate 100% testing of CT’s every 10 years which in summary means that 10% of NEM CT’s are required to be tested every year. Testing of HV VT/CT assets has somewhat been addressed but these sites tend to be very large and have small windows of opportunity to get them off-line to carry out the required tests. LV CT categories remained untouched.
A number of issues remained unclear in the first 10 years of the market and these included the following:
- The age of the assets
- The ownership of the assets
- The responsibility of maintaining/testing of the assets
- The accountability of paying for maintaining/testing of the assets
- The avoidance of trying to organise an outage
- The absence of an effective secondary injection methodology to minimise the testing time and costs
In 2011 and mid 2012 AEMO have pushed the market participants and have placed the accountability on the RP’s to make LV CT testing happen and address or overcome some of these issues and through the CT working group challenged the current rules and the outcome was the creation of the “Alternative Testing Minimum Requirements: Low voltage Current Transformer metering Installations”. AEMO_-_Alternate_Testing_Minimum Requirements_LV_CTs_V1.1
RP’s have had the choice from May 2012 of 10% testing or the Alternative Testing (Sampling approach) and it Retailers have decided to carry out one or the other.
Compliance Bulletin
The Australian Energy Regulator issued a compliance Bulletin No.6 in December 2011 and AEMO is required to administer this with direction given to the Retailers (Responsible Person) with Rule Enforcement. Compliance Bulletin No 6 – Testing requirement for instrument transformers
Metering Dynamics Resource Capability for Carrying out LV CT Tests & ESI’s
Metering Dynamics have been carrying out LV CT Tests and Enhanced Sites Inspection (ESI’s) as directed by RP’s on behalf of its Retailers for the past 2 years and will be required to continue to carry out this work indefinitely. Metering Dynamics invoice the RP for the services that they have requested. This has amounted to 1000’s of tests and 1000’s of ESI’s
