Corpus Christi, TX Automated Meter Reading (AMR) System Fixed Network AMR System using WiFi Network Jeffrey King, Northrop Grumman IT Opportunities of Wireless Broadband Ogilvie Gericke Director of Information Systems City of Corpus Christi, TX W2I Digital Cities Convention, March 1, 2006
Typical Fixed Network System Backhaul Network Cell Phone Fiber WiFi Etc. Unlicensed = 300 to 1000 ft range Licensed = 1 to 3 mile range Gas Electric Meter
The STAR Fixed Network AMR System Features & Highlights: Transmitter Programmable to time transmission (5 min to 12 hr) 20 year Battery Life under 15 year Warranty 1 mile (pit) to 3 mile transmitter range Uses affordable Collectors on typical 1 mile grid to aggregate signals Gas and Water meters Works with every common meter type (Water & Gas) Electric TOU meter application under development Infinite Scalability with back-end integration/ data handling as well as system geographic expansion Proven Reliability Attractive ROI
STAR Fixed Network AMR System Operation Meter Transmitter Units (MTUs) wake up at their programmed interval and transmit a short message containing an ID number, meter reading, tamper status and other information One MTU can handle two co-located meters (cost savings) One or more Data Collectors (DCUs) receive transmissions and decode and store them in memory DCUs make a daily connection through City s WiFi network to computer and transfer readings data MTU s can serve as a Datalogger to capture info more frequently
Meter Transmitter - Water (Wall Mount)
Meter Transmitter - Water (Pit Application)
Meter Transmitter - Gas (Direct Mount) Pulser device available for wall mount applications
STAR Data Collector - Features Typically provides 1 square mile of coverage, with capacity for 30,000 meters per square mile Solar power or City-provided 110 service, no connection to power lines WiFi (or fiber-optic/ Cellular), no connection to phone lines Full diagnostics
Data Collector Unit Utility Pole Mount WiFi card in box
Initial DCU Layout Map: Corpus Christi
NCC Computer / Back-End Software Maintains all reading data in database Data Extract program provides data for billing system & external website Customer Service inquiry into reading data Many standard reports / Crystal Reports for custom reports Integrates into existing office network Operates as an Intranet server Supports workstations over office network Uses Internet technologies to support modern operations Versatile connectivity supports CIS, Finance, and Customer Service systems
Corpus Christi Water & Gas Utility System Total Cost of Ownership Summary: Corpus Christi, Texas as Representative Example (Based on vendor list pricing and City WiFi Network for Data Backhaul)
Corpus Christi Water & Gas Utility System Data Sheet- Utility Information Number of Water Meters in System 85,966 Number of Meters to be Replaced 52,440 Number of Meters to be Retrofitted 33,526 Number of Gas Meters in System 61,601 Number of Gas Meters to be Replaced 43,121 Number of Gas Meters to be Retrofitted 18,480 Planned Length of Program (yrs) 5 Inflation Rate 3% Service Area (sq.mi.) 100
Corpus Christi Water & Gas Utility System Billing Information Current Drive-By Fixed Billing Frequency Monthly Monthly Monthly Number of Meter Readers (man years) 24 4 0 Meter Reader Payrate (hrly) $11.50 $11.50 $11.50 Number of Office Staff (man years) 10 1 0 Office Staff Payrate (hrly) $12.86 $12.86 $12.86 Number of Customer Service Reps (man years) 12 11 11 Customer Service Reps Payrate (hrly) $9.42 $9.42 $9.42 Employee Overhead Percentage (percent) 40% 40% 40% Number of Vehicles 28 5 0 Vehicle Acquisition Cost ($) $16,000 $16,000 $16,000 Vehicle Planned Life (yr) 6 6 6 Annual Vehicle Maintenance Cost ($) $312 $312 $312 Annual Vehicle Insurance Cost ($) $500 $500 $500 Number of Out of Cycle Reads (monthly) 2200 2200 0 Time to Read Out of Cycle Reads (hours) 0.167 0.167 0 Number of Re-Reads (monthly) 1540 300 0 Time to Re-Read (hours) 0.2 0.2 0
Corpus Christi Water & Gas Utility System Capital Costs Current Drive-By Fixed Water Meter Costs (for meter replacement, ea) Water Meter Register Cost (for retrofit, ea) Gas Meter Cost (for replacement) Gas Meter Cost (for meter retrofit, ea) MTU/MXU/ERT Cost (each) $0 $65 $92 DCU Cost/ Mobile Collector/ Handheld (ea) $2,500 $40,000 $6,903 Number of Mobile Collectors / DCU 24 4 100 Office Computer/Software $116,725 $116,725 Installation Costs Current Drive-By Fixed Water Meter Installation Cost (each) $31.63 $31.63 Water Meter Retrofit Cost (each) $21.50 $21.50 Gas Meter Installation Cost (each) $31.63 $31.63 Gas Meter Retrofit Cost (each) $19.32 $19.32 Financing Current Drive-By Fixed Interest Rate (percent) 2.5% 2.5% Term (years) 10 10 Operating Costs Current Drive-By Fixed MTU/MIU/ERT Anticipated Battery Life (years) 10 20 MTU / MIU /ERT Battery Replacement Cost $25 DCU Battery Life (years) 5 DCU Battery Replacement Cost (each) $35 Cell Phone Cost (monthly, each) $0 Phone Line Cost (Office) (monthly, each) $0 Number of Office Phone Lines: 0
Corpus Christi Water & Gas Utility System Calculated Cost per Read - Personnel Costs $1.90 $1.70 $1.50 $1.30 $1.10 Dollar $0.90 $0.70 $0.50 $0.30 $0.10 $(0.10) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Year Current Drive By Fixed Network
Corpus Christi Water & Gas Utility System Cost of Ownership $60,000,000 $50,000,000 $40,000,000 Dollars $30,000,000 $20,000,000 $10,000,000 $0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Year Drive By System Fixed Network RF Current
Drive-By VS Fixed AMR - Total Costs Total Cost of Ownership Maintenance Operation Installation Equipment Drive-By STAR Fixed Network
Opportunities of Wireless Broadband Presenter Ogilvie Gericke: Director of Information Systems City of Corpus Christi, TX frans@cctexas.com
Wireless Broadband Initial Motivation: Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Reducing cost and lead time Increasing data integrity Improving customer service Mitigating risks Pilot Project: Implemented AMR successfully with WiFi as backhaul 4,000+ meters and 20 sq. mi. under WiFi cloud Next Step: Deploying Wireless Broadband and AMR citywide 140,000+ meters and 147 sq. mi. under WiFi WiFi to be completed by August 2006 AMR is a 5 year deployment
Unexpected Benefit The Wireless Broadband Network can support many other uses Revised Goal: Utilize excess bandwidth to: Improve services, including public safety and homeland security Provide universal access to broadband services Stimulate economic development
City Services Mobile Workers WebEOC Building inspections Wireless ticket writing EMS patient tracking system Streaming video Automated vehicle location SCADA network redundancy Wireless phones
Other Potential Uses PUBLIC PARTNERS Schools, College and University Port Authority Regional Transportation Authority Texas Department of Transportation County Hospitals Economic Development
Other Potential Uses PRIVATE PARTNERS Small Businesses Internet Services Providers Hardware and Application Developers
Corporation Nonprofit local government corporation Created by Resolution to carry out public purposes of the network Serve the public purposes of: Improving delivery of City services at reduced cost and Promoting economic prosperity and jobs Articles, Bylaws and amendments approved by Council Participation of Partners will multiply Network benefits
Corporation BOARD 5-Member board of directors appointed by Council Council may assume duties of corporation or dissolve it at any time ADVISORY COMMITTEE Stakeholder groups to assure continuing input in design and operation of Network
Revenue Assumptions Government Services City Budget Transfer - 2,751,000 annually for service support with no cost increase over 5 years Generate cost savings from Wireless Applications (i.e., AMR, AVL, mobile) Commercial Sales ISP Revenue Advertising Commercial Revenue E-Commerce Other Revenue (i.e., E-learning) Business Development Opportunities Emergence of new video and music services E-commerce sales revenue has increased Online advertising has seen significant growth
Evaluation Criteria Compliance with guiding principles Qualifications and experience Service offering Financial feasibility, funding and technical support Organizational structure and management approach Net economic benefit to the City Innovative approaches
Questions?
Combining the Best of Both Worlds The ease and speed of Wi-Fi The ubiquity and reliability of cellular Without the cost and complexity of dedicated per node wiring
Pilot Area Approx 18.5 Sq Miles (16 per mile) AMR Pilot Area 2 AMR Pilot Area 1