Remote management is an integrated, remote, automatic management system for electricity meters, based on new information technology, electronics and communications. It is based on the new smart meter that replaces the old metering equipment.
The smart meter is part of an integrated system and, for it to function remotely, also requires a communications and IT infrastructure, including concentrators –which are units installed in the transformer substations– in addition to the communication and links to the systems of the distribution company.
The deployment of smart meters in Spain is driven by the Spanish and European Regulation that governs the minimum functions of these units and requires the progressive mass deployment of smart metering in Spain by the end of 2018. The distribution companies are responsible for this massive replacement.
Specifically, Endesa’s remote management system, which is the basis for Smartcity Malaga, is a new generation technique stemming from the technological solution implemented developed by Enel, which is already operating for more than 34 million customers. Jointly developed by both companies for the Iberian area, Endesa’s remote management system incorporates improvements in terms of robustness, speed and safety into the previous Italian version, which was already reliable, and includes multiple advanced functions. The Endesa smart meters and concentrators communicate with each other through the electricity grid by PLC, based on the open protocol Meters and More which is currently undergoing European standardisation. The communications infrastructure between the Endesa IT systems and concentrators is also based on this safe and reliable protocol, ensuring privacy and security for the flow of information.
The implementation of the remote management system provides important improvements in the relationship between the user and the electric distribution company. The main functions that can be carried out remotely include connections, disconnections, cut-offs, reconnections, power monitoring and tariff changes. These can be done practically immediately and without the need for neither the users nor the company workers’ intervention. Additionally, remote management provides an exact, timely reading, and makes it possible to program advanced tariff schedules remotely that allow more flexible invoicing. Regarding the electricity grid, remote management provides reliable information on grid behaviour, thus improving the operation- related decision-making and information, to improve the overall efficiency of the electricity system.
It can be stated that the implementation of remote management greatly changes the relationship with customers, who can now take on a more active role in managing their energy consumption as they have more information regarding their consumption.
Remote management as the cornerstone for the development of smart grids and smart cities
The remote management of the electricity meters is the technological base for the development of smart grids for the electricity distribution, facilitating the integration of distributed generation, the incorporation of renewable energy into the grid, the integration of recharging electric vehicles and the management of public lighting. Basic concepts of all smart cities, such as the grid control automation, are strengthened
Fig. 13. Close-up of the
installation of meters by an Endesa worker in Smartcity Malaga
The electricity system benefits as reliable and consistent information is provided on grid behaviour, which leads to improved decision-making in operation and the smart management of the demand peaks. Remote management allows a broader range of tariffs to be developed, with different prices for different times of day, and makes it possible for the customer to know more about their electricity demand, select the best tariffs for their energy requirements and plan their consumption. Thus, it will enhance energy efficiency and play a more active part in the electricity system. Remote management fosters a new energy management model in cities to improve energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and increase the use of renewable energy.
The services that remote management offers the user and the electricity grid allow a multitude of future applications within smart grids, such as the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles and added value services.
Smartcity Malaga as a starting point for the mass implementation of remote management
The deployment plan for remote management began in the city of Malaga, with the first units installed in the Andalusian Smartcity in June 2010. Since that same year, the meters have been managed automatically and remotely and the system is completely integrated into Endesa’s commercial and technical systems.
The remote management units from Endesa that are installed and operated in Smartcity Malaga have reached 17,751 single-phase meters and 181 three-phase meters, deployed at the points of electricity supply, and 103 concentrators in transformer substations.
Fig. 14. Installation of
meters by an Endesa worker in Smartcity Malaga
Fig. 16. Endesa’s remote management project: Hourly consumption curve of active and reactive energy
Fig. 17. Endesa’s
remote management project: Daily consumption curve of active and reactive energy
Fig. 18. Endesa’s
remote management project: Maximum power
In the Smartcity Malaga project the basic and advanced remote management functions have been successfully tested, including customer information, integration of electric vehicles, micro-generation, energy storage, smart public lighting and many other applications.
In addition, Endesa has made basic information on energy consumption available to the users of the Smartcity project in Andalusia, thanks to the extraction of the data that remote management can provide. The implementation of this application has meant that valuable information could be obtained and viewed, including curves of the active energy, reactive energy and power which make it possible to study the consumption habits of the users in detail, with the aim of identifying possible ways to increase energy efficiency at the customer and grid level. This application is operational in the project control centre.
These first units installed in the scope of Smartcity Malaga have spurred the coastal city to achieve good results in terms of energy efficiency, which have been seen from the beginning of the project.
The mass implementation of this remote management system by Endesa is currently underway in all areas of Spain where Endesa is responsible for electricity distribution. This involves an ambitious plan that consists of the installation of 13 million meters, and 140,000 concentrators in the distribution substations.
With this plan, Endesa is currently the leading distributor in remote management in both Spain and Europe due to the mass deployment currently underway.