Advanced Metering Infrastructure Rollout Strategies & Business Model Adoption: Tata Power-DDL Case Study

This Paper showcases different rollout strategies of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Business Models being experimented in India, with a detailed focus on Tata Power-DDL case study. It covers key features such as finalisation of Communication Technology for topology of Delhi, development of Smart Meter vendors for 3rd party communication network, development of business associated for mass deployment of Smart Meters, shortlisting of Meter Data Management System in line with Utility’s existing IT/OT system, and Deployment sequence of different element of AMI with probable benefits which can be accrued from this system. This paper also highlights major showstoppers encountered along with probable solutions. National Tariff Policy 2016, which mandate all meters with consumption more than 200 units to be Smart Meters, further reinforced by funding under UDAY scheme and by NSGM to utilities for deployment of Smart Meters as per IS16444, followed by CEA’s clarification to have 100% Smart Metering feeder-wise for loss calculation through AMI, and finally Government of India’s policy to convert all energy meters of India from Post-paid to Smart Prepaid / Conventional pre-paid, paved the way for the deployment of Smart Meters in India. Part A of this paper expounds the criteria for selections of deployment strategies with major focus on Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Limited Case study and Part B of Paper will elaborate; probable cost benefits which a utility can avail through AMI deployment.