To ensure that every kilowatt of electricity is accounted for and transmitted to the system operator for accounting in a timely manner, facilities require an automated commercial electricity metering system (ACEMS). This is a mandatory legal requirement for producers, some non-household consumers, “active consumers,” and energy storage facility operators.
The installation and management of ACEMS should be handled by a whole team of technical specialists. For example, KNESS is duly registered and acts as a commercial metering service provider (CMSP).
What stages does the installation and subsequent management of the Automated Commercial Electricity Metering System consist of? What should you pay attention to when installing ACEMS at your facility? KNESS team specialists elaborate on that.
Stages of Automated Commercial Electricity Metering System’s Setup and Management
Stage 1. Input Data Collection
The first stage in the process of installing an automated commercial metering system by the KNESS team includes the following steps: consultation, review of the distribution agreement and single-line diagram, agreeing on all details, and preparing a solution.
“An automated commercial electricity metering system is a mandatory requirement for producers, energy storage facilities, and “active consumers,” as well as non-household consumers with a connected capacity of more than 150 kW or an average monthly electricity consumption of more than 50,000 kWh. A reliable commercial metering service provider ensures accurate and timely data transmission to system operators. It also provides the opportunity to track hourly volumes of electricity generated, supplied, and consumed, which allows for high-quality analytics and further optimization of electrical installations and energy efficiency of the enterprise” — explains Kateryna Antonicheva, Commercial Department Manager who provides consultations on the installation of ACEMS systems at facilities.
Stage 2. Design
Once all the necessary data has been collected, the ACEMS design phase begins. This involves:
– specifying and agreeing on the equipment arrangement
– selecting the types of primary and backup channels and means of communication, determining their quantity
– developing and agreeing on a technical design with the distribution system operator
“First of all, we recommend that customers check whether the documentation they have collected corresponds to the actual condition of electrical installations and connections at the facility. After all, it is on the basis of this information that the design will be carried out. With the correct input data, we can quickly complete the turnkey design stage, as we have many years of experience and well-established processes for interaction both within the team and with other institutions” — Danylo Hunchuk, Design Engineer of the Commercial Metering Department, explains the specifics of the design stage.
Stage 3. Installation and Commissioning of ACEMS
Once the technical design of the automated system has passed all stages of approval, implementation of the solution begins:
– installation of structural elements (cabinets, meters, etc.), technical equipment, and cable connections
– uploading information to the database to verify the processes of data entry, exchange, and transfer
– conducting ACEMS performance tests
– training the customer’s personnel
– acceptance and commissioning of ACEMS for industrial operation
“To install a commercial metering system, we go to the site with all the necessary equipment and implement the project solution within one day. After installation, we perform configuration and testing. To put it into operation, we communicate with the system operator and have a ready-to-use system in 5-7 business days. If necessary, we can also perform warranty and post-warranty maintenance of the system, as well as organize the calibration of electricity meters and measuring transformers according to schedules ”— Bohdan Makohoniuk, Head of the Commercial Metering Installation and Maintenance Group, shares details of the ACEMS installation.
Stage 4. ACEMS’s Data Management by KNESS
“As a certified commercial metering service provider (CMSP), KNESS not only installs and maintains ACEMS, but also collects, validates, stores, and processes data on the volume of electricity supplied, consumed, and/or generated. We export all this data in the required format and use it to generate all the necessary accompanying documentation. We also provide professional advice on any technical and economic issues that arise during the implementation and operation of the metering system” — Ihor Prokopenko, Head of Commercial Metering Department.
As part of the ACEMS by KNESS data administration service, we perform the following:
- daily collection and processing of electricity readings
- transmission of data to related entities according to an agreed schedule and approved procedure
– half-hourly and hourly schedule of generation/consumption per day in kWh
– meter readings at the end of the day
– reconciliation reports on the amount of electricity output ( generated) per decade and at the end of the month
– reports on electricity generation/consumption for the settlement month
Any questions about the installation of Automated Commercial Electricity Metering System? Learn more on the website.
