Meter Operation Center Design using Rapid Application Development Technique to Support AMI Implementation

In recent years, utility companies have transformed from using automated meter reading (AMR) technology to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in line with digital transformation program to develop energy measurement systems. The AMI energy measurements can be more accurate, real-time, efficient, and provide customer access. Operational reliability and security of measurement devices, communication facilities, data analytics, and other related AMI devices must be integrated, managed, and monitored using a monitoring system that continuously ensures all processes run well and detect any peculiar conditions. The AMI ecosystem is critical to consolidate all measurement points of energy transactions from the generation, transmission, and distribution sectors. AMI also manages all measurement points at substations, distribution substations, and all major customers to ensure accuracy and transparency of electrical energy distribution in the distribution sector. Therefore, a meter operation center is needed to operate and monitor the electric power measurement system working in a good performance. This paper discusses designing a meter operation center as part of the AMI program. The MOC development is carried out in stages using rapid application development, enriched with several improvements from the previous centralized AMR system. The implementation has shown a well-functioning MOC system with complete measurement parameters, large capacity end-devices connected, energy measurement forecasting, demand-side management, and the ability to monitor grid voltage, power interruptions, and power quality. The performance of this MOC will significantly help achieve the implementation and execution of AMI to provide an accurate, precise, and fast energy measurement system and guarantee utility revenue.