System for the remote data acquisition and control of electric energy meters

• US 7,271,735 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gridspertise Srl
• Original Assignee: ENEL Distribuzione SPA (ENEL SPA)
• Inventors: Rogai, Sergio
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr.; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/499,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20050068192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.11, 340/310.01, 324/74, 324/110
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/1333 adapted for special tariff measuring
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/00 Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A system for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of electricity meters comprises a central server AMM in bi-directional communication with a plurality of concentrators. To each concentrator, a set of electricity meters is connected, such that bi-directional communication between each meter and its associated concentrator is possible. The intelligence of the system is distributed between the central server, the concentrators and the electricity meters. To this end, each meter comprises at least a first processor, a first data memory and a first program memory for bi-directional communication with the associated concentrator. The first data memory serves to at least temporarily store and/or transmit the data which have already undergone a first processing by the first processor. Each of the concentrators comprises a second processor, a second program memory and a second data memory as well as means for a bi-directional communication with a central server. The second data memory serves to temporarily store and/or transmit the data processed by the second processor.

Claims

1. System for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of the targets of users spread over a vast territory, comprising:

electricity meters including means to measure the electric energy consumptions and associated with each user,

concentrators, each concentrator being connected to a set of meters by a first means for the bi-directional transmission of data, said concentrators being connected to a central control and supervision unit through a second means for the bi-directional transmission of data,

wherein;

intelligence of the system is distributed between the central unit, the concentrators and the electricity meters;

each meter including means to transduce the measured energy consumption values into measuring data a first processor to process said measuring data, a first memory, an output of said first processor being connected to said first memory to said first bi-directional transmission means so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit the processed measuring data processed by the first processor;

each concentrator includes a second microprocessor for further processing said data processed by the meters, a second memory to store the processed data issued by said meters and/or by said second microprocessor, an output of said second processor being connected to said second memory and/or to said second bi-directional transmission means, so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit said further processed data; and

at least one of the concentrators is configured to identify a repeater path by detecting at least one meter functioning as an intermediate bridge to another meter to permit communication between the other meter and the one concentrator via the repeater path.

2. System as in claim 1, wherein said first data memory is configured to store the stored data, including during voltage drops, throughout a useful life of the electricity meter.

3. System for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of the distributed targets of users, as in claim 1, wherein said second processor of each concentrator is configured as a master of communications over a PLC (power line carrier) network on power supply line between a concentrator and electricity meters, and as a node for communications on a telephone line between the concentrator and the central server.

4. System as in claim 1, wherein the central server is configured to perform bi-directional transmission of information associated with automation of services implemented by entities other than an owner of the network.

5. System for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of the distributed targets of users, as in claim 1, wherein the central server is configured to perform the following functions:

automatic management of the operations of disconnection, reconnection, discontinuances, suspensions for delayed payments and contract variations;

selective cut-off of the power supply due to requirements of the electric system; and

downloading of operating programs.

6. System as in claim 5, wherein the central server is configured to perform an operative function associated with prepayment.

7. System as in claim 5, wherein the central server unit is configured to perform a function of safety and/or protection of a PLC communication with authentication key.

8. System as in claim 5, wherein the central server unit is configured to perform a function of displaying operating data of the server unit and/or of the network.

9. System for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of the distributed targets of users, as in claim 1, wherein said first processor incorporated in each electricity meter is configured to perform at least the following functions:

acquisition of the electric energy consumptions, distribution of the electric energy consumptions into different scales of charges, estimation of tampering attempts and control of an antifraud device, and transfer and maintenance of the stored data at least during a voltage drop.

10. System as in claim 9, wherein the function of distributing the electric energy consumptions into different scales of charges is programmable on the basis of time profiles and/or power thresholds.

11. System as in claim 9, wherein said first processor is configured to acquire and record profile of an electric energy consumptions of the user.

12. System as in claim 11, wherein said first processor is configured to acquire and record the profile of the electric energy consumptions with a programmable integration period.

13. System as in claim 9, wherein said first processor is configured to measure and record average and peak power.

14. System as in claim 9, wherein said first processor is configured to manage two separate invoicing periods at variable intervals.

15. System as in claim 9, wherein said first processor is configured to measure and record quality parameters of the service, such as interruptions and deviations of the voltage from the a nominal value indicated in an electric energy supply contract.

16. System as in claim 9, wherein said first processor is configured to manage, with a required precision, a calendar clock configured to be remotely synchronised.

17. System as in claim 9, wherein said first processor is configured to open a power circuit integrated in the electricity meter.

18. System as in claim 17, wherein said first processor is configured to use a modular element equipped with a suitable releasing element configured to be opened by remote control to open the power circuit.

19. System as in claim 9, wherein said first processor is configured to display data relating to the electric energy consumption and/or the operation of the electricity meter.

20. System for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of the targets of users spread over a vast territory, comprising:

electricity meters including means to measure the electric energy consumptions and associated with each user,

concentrators, each concentrator being connected to a set of meters by a first means for the bi-directional transmission of data, said concentrators being connected to a central control and supervision unit through a second means for the bi-directional transmission of data,

wherein;

intelligence of the system is distributed between the central unit, the concentrators and the electricity meters;

each meter including means to transduce the measured energy consumption values into measuring data, a first processor to process said measuring data, and a first memory, an output of said first processor being connected to said first memory to said first bi-directional transmission means so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit the processed measuring data processed by the first processor; and

each concentrator includes a second microprocessor for further processing said data processed by the meters, a second memory to store the processed data issued by said meters and/or by said second microprocessor, an output of said second processor being connected to said second memory and/or to said second bi-directional transmission means, so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit said further processed data,

wherein said first processor is configured to manage two electric energy supply contracts in a power range up to 35 kw.

21. System for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of the targets of users spread over a vast territory, comprising:

electricity meters including means to measure the electric energy consumptions and associated with each user,

concentrators, each concentrator being connected to a set of meters by a first means for the bi-directional transmission of data, said concentrators being connected to a central control and supervision unit through a second means for the bi-directional transmission of data,

wherein;

intelligence of the system is distributed between the central unit, the concentrators and the electricity meters;

each meter including means to transduce the measured energy consumption values into measuring data, a first processor to process said measuring data, and a first memory, an output of said first processor being connected to said first memory to said first bi-directional transmission means so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit the processed measuring data processed by the first processor; and

each concentrator includes a second microprocessor for further processing said data processed by the meters, a second memory to store the processed data issued by said meters and/or by said second microprocessor, an output of said second processor being connected to said second memory and/or to said second bi-directional transmission means, so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit said further processed data,

wherein said second processor of at least one concentrator is configured to perform the following functions;

executing an energy balance for a power supply substation in which the concentrator is installed;

monitoring of a working condition of each electricity meter connected thereto; and

issuing an alarm signal in case self-diagnostics of the meter indicate a malfunction.

22. System for the remote acquisition of data and for the remote control of the targets of users spread over a vast territory, comprising:

electricity meters including means to measure the electric energy consumptions and associated with each user,

concentrators, each concentrator being connected to a set of meters by a first means for the bi-directional transmission of data, said concentrators being connected to a central control and supervision unit through a second means for the bi-directional transmission of data,

wherein;

intelligence of the system is distributed between the central unit, the concentrators and the electricity meters;

each meter including means to transduce the measured energy consumption values into measuring data, a first processor to process said measuring data, and a first memory, an output of said first processor being connected to said first memory to said first bi-directional transmission means so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit the processed measuring data processed by the first processor; and

each concentrator includes a second microprocessor for further processing said data processed by the meters, a second memory to store the processed data issued by said meters and/or by said second microprocessor, an output of said second processor being connected to said second memory and/or to said second bi-directional transmission means, so as to respectively at least temporarily store and/or transmit said further processed data,

wherein said second processor of at least one concentrator is configured to perform, in association with said energy balance, a function of detecting an unauthorized withdrawal.