Week 10: Metering of Electricity

Metering is a method of utilizing devices to measure the amount and direction of electrical energy flow, particularly for end-use.
Metering is a way of measuring the amount of physical quantity of electricity transmitted when activated by a powered device.

Metered billing is a pricing model in which you pay for a service only based on the level of usage.
The cost of a service might depend on time used, volume of data processed, or CPU cycles, depending on the type of service.
Key concepts for PaaS (Platform as a Service) metering and billing include:
- Incoming and outgoing network bandwidth
- CPU time per hour
- Stored data
- High availability
- Monthly service charge

Smart meters are advanced metering infrastructure that can measure electricity consumption in real-time.

Utility metering refers to the measurement of electricity consumption for billing purposes.
Types of connections:
- Series connection
- Parallel connection
Series connection involves one meter connected between the grid and a junction point, and another meter connected between the junction point and one of the loads.
Parallel connection involves each distinct load and/or generator connected directly to the grid through individual meters with no common interconnection on the non-grid side of the meters.

Single phase type meter: 120/240 V, single phase, 3 wire
Three phase meter: 120/208 V, three phase, 4 wire; 347/600 V, three phase, 4 wire

Only CSA approved meter sockets are to be used.
Meter sockets shall be mounted so that the midpoint of the meter is set at 1700 mm.
Where the supply is grounded, 600 V metering shall be 4 wire.

Asset Management: CIR filing, strategy based on metering requirements, manage GSP program, verify wholesale metering amounts
Meter Operation and Data Management: meter installation, meter replacements, execute replacement programs, operate data acquisition systems, ensure accurate billing data
Control Room / Dispatch: real-time power status check from smart meters, outage/restoration
Billing: generate bills based on meter reads
Vendors: Olameter, Trilliant, Optima, Rodan, Honeywell Elster, ITRON

Meter data flow involves the collection and processing of meter data for billing and other purposes.

Tiered rates involve a certain amount of electricity at a lower price, with a higher price applying once the threshold is exceeded
Threshold changes with the season to reflect changing usage patterns

TOU billing involves charging customers based on the time of day they use electricity

Both TOU and Tiered prices are set under the Regulated Price Plan (RPP)
RPP is designed to provide stable pricing, encourage conservation, and ensure that the price customers pay for electricity better reflects the price paid to generators

Delivery charges:
- Customer Service Charge: fixed charge for costs related to meter reading, billing, customer service, and account maintenance
- Distribution Charge: variable charge for the cost of building and maintaining the distribution system
- Transmission Charge: variable charge for the costs of transmitters to operate and maintain the high-voltage transmission system
- Line Loss Adjustment: adjustment for power lost as it travels over the utility's power lines
Regulatory Charges:
- Wholesale Market Service Charge: includes the cost of services provided by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to operate the wholesale electricity market and maintain the reliability of the high voltage power grid.### IESO and Regulatory Charges
IESO purchases reserve electricity to restore balance on short notice
IESO Administration Fee: a fee to manage high-voltage power system and operate wholesale electricity market in Ontario
Fee covers costs for planning, generation, demand management, conservation, and transmission
Rural and Remote Electricity Rate Protection (RRRP): a charge to offset higher costs of providing service to rural and remote areas
Renewable Connections: recovery of costs for connecting renewable generation facilities (e.g., solar, wind)
Standard Supply Service Charge: an administrative fee to cover costs for local utilities

Provided to eligible customers: households, farms, long-term care homes, and small businesses
17% rebate on the subtotal of the electricity bill, effective November 1, 2021
Grandfathering period for consumers who were receiving the 8% rebate as of October 22, 2019, until October 31, 2022

Difference between the guaranteed price for electricity generation and the money earned in the wholesale marketplace
Covers costs of some conservation programs
All electricity consumers pay a share of the Global Adjustment
Included in Time-of-Use and Tiered electricity prices, or as a separate line on the bill for contract customers
Calculation of Global Adjustment involves customer's peak demand factor and provincial GA cost