Appendix B

Interval Metering Program

As part of the process of preparing for electric deregulation, the state needed more accurate, detailed data on electricity usage by state agencies. The Office of Policy and Management initiated an interval metering system to obtain data for that purpose and to assist facility managers with energy conservation efforts, particularly management of peak load demand.

In the spring of 1999, OPM began meeting with the two electric utility companies serving Connecticut -- United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power -- to discuss how to set up the program. In the fall of 1999, the equipment needed for the monitoring program began to be installed on the electric meters of state agencies that use large quantities of electricity.

OPM paid for new meters compatible with the requirements of the interval monitoring system for installation as the billing meters of state agencies with an annual peak load of at least 200 kWh of electricity.¹ A load pulse output socket, which allows collection of real-time usage data, was also installed on each meter. OPM paid for the meter upgrades, which cost $125 each. The utilities installed the meters at no additional cost to the state.²

The interval metering system currently uses telephone lines to capture usage data from participating accounts.³ The telephone line must be in place before the upgraded meter is installed. Individual agencies were responsible for obtaining telephone lines for their meters. They also pay any on-going costs for the telephone lines. (In a few instances, OPM paid for extraordinary expenses that agencies incurred to have phone lines installed in out-of the way places.) Because of the need to acquire new lines in some cases, this step in the process was one of the more time-consuming components of the program.⁴

For each account, data are collected on the amount of kWh used at 15-minute intervals throughout the day, 365 days a year. The information is available in a spreadsheet format, accessible through password protected web sites the day after the electricity has been used. Historic data are also retained.

CL&P, which serves 90 percent of the state agencies in the program, contracts with a North Carolina company -- MDATA Online -- for maintenance of its database and oversight of the web site for its accounts. UI, which serves the rest of the accounts, contracts with ABB Energy Interactive from California to compile the information for its accounts and make the data available on a web site.

OPM pays each utility a monthly fee (of approximately $25) per account for the web site system. (The utilities in turn pay their respective contractors.) There are also some additional expenses for refinements in the how the data are made accessible to individual agencies. Through FY 01, OPM had spent approximately $64,000 on the program.

OPM has access to all of the data on both web sites. Individual agencies have access only to information for their own accounts. However, an agency can share its password with whomever it wants.

Figure B-1 summarizes the major steps in implementation of the program.

As of mid-2002, the database included 119 facilities -- 105 CL&P customers and 14 UI customers. Together, those facilities consume about 70 percent of the state's electricity load.

For calendar year 2000, OPM staff sought to verify the data for each participating agency were accurate before all of the data were aggregated. This information is being used to produce the first complete picture of major State electric account usage.

Since the data collected through the interval metering program allows analysis of time of day and seasonal peaks, the system has considerable potential to help state government conserve energy and reduce the cost of the electricity purchased. Facility managers with access to data about usage patterns can investigate wide variations and determine whether steps can be taken to eliminate or at least spread out load demand more evenly during the day.⁵

Office buildings often experience peak demand during morning start-ups. By spreading out the time period when heating and cooling systems, office machines, and coffee pots initially come on (even if only by a half hour), demand levels can be evened out. Alternatively, spikes in usage at unexpected times of the day may help identify malfunctioning equipment.

Reducing the peak demand of an account, particularly if that demand only occurs once a day, can save the state money. This is because commercial customers are charged for electricity based on historic monthly and annual peak demand levels. The specific rate is based on the utility's assessment of customer usage for a rolling period of time prior to when the electricity was consumed.

Any state agency can request training for its staff on use of the interval metering system database. OPM staff already have provided training to a number of community-technical college facility managers as well as DPW facility managers, who are employees of the private management contractors that maintain state buildings.

Future issues. OPM has several issues to resolve regarding the future of the interval metering program. The first concerns the database web site system. Upon expiration of the existing contracts, the state will have to decide whether to renew the contract, buy equipment to monitor the data from the meters itself, or end the program.

If the state were to take full responsibility for the database, additional staff resources would be needed. If the program were discontinued, individual agencies with energy monitoring systems could continue to receive information about their particular accounts, but statewide data would only exist historically for a limited time period. Continuation of the contracts would allow the state to compile additional data useful for analysis and monitoring.

Another issue will arise when the state again seeks bidders for the electric purchasing pool. OPM must decide whether the data compiled through the interval metering program will be shared with all potential bidders or only with the finalist for the contract in order to help them refine their bid.

¹ Originally, CL&P recommended selecting agencies with at least 300 kWh annual peak demand. OPM chose 200kWh, but based on experience with the program, it now recommends agencies with a 100 kWh peak participate.

² The new meters were actually an upgrade of meters previously put in place by the utilities to capture usage data for rate-setting purposes. This kept the cost of the new meters lower than it would have been if the accounts were being upgraded from a standard residential type of meter.

³ During 2001, UI began switching all of its customers to meters that can be read using radio signals. Once state accounts change over to that system, usage data are retrieved using the new technology.

⁴ Business managers in participating agencies need to be informed of this requirement so they do not take steps to disconnect the telephones as unused.

⁵ Other conservation-related opportunities may also arise because of the data available through this program. For example, the state could become a participant in an IOC-sponsored emergency load management experiment.