AMI Toolbox – Mid-Atlantic Distributed Resources Initiative (MADRI)

About the Toolbox

The Mid-Atlantic Distributed Resources Initiative (MADRI) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Toolbox was developed in 2005 to provide Mid-Atlantic PUCs with additional resources for learning more about AMI.

The AMI Toolbox represents a compilation of reports and studies as well as other web- based resources that have been accumulated by MADRI support staff as they have evaluated AMI strategy options. The "toolbox" is not intended to provide a definitive library and should be viewed as a work-in-progress with the expectation that additional resources will be added as the MADRI states continue their evaluations of AMI opportunities. All of the documents contained in the "toolbox" are public documents and users should feel free to distribute or quote from these documents.

In May 2008, the AMI toolbox was updated with more than 40 new documents.

New: Smart Metering Projects Map
This interactive map shows smart metering initiatives around the world, including details of technology used, dates, volumes, etc.

Background Materials:

MADRI AMI Toolbox Press Release (November 2, 2005)
Presentation and Handout to NARUC Staff Committee on Electricity and Ad hoc Committee on Electric Reliability (November 13, 2005)
- Handout
- Presentation

AMI Background Information

The materials in this section provide a broad overview of AMI and are an excellent source of reference material for those hoping to quickly learn more about AMI.

AMI Vision and Strategy Papers

These papers provide a broad strategic perspective on the critical role that AMI could play in helping to enable markets for distributed resources as well as helping utility companies modernize their distribution systems and business practices.

AMI Business Cases

AMI investments require substantial investments of capital. The resources in this section provide a wealth of information on the process California has undertaken to ensure that AMI represents a prudent investment. This section also contains the actual AMI business cases that California's largest three investor owned electric utilities have filed with the California Public Utility Commission.

Ontario Energy AMI Plan

This section contains information relating to the plan the Ontario Energy Board in Canada announced in January of 2005 for deploying 800,000 smart electricity meters by December 31, 2007.

Pricing Policy and Pilots

Smart meters have little value unless they are accompanied by smart rates. The resources in this section examine the potential for new rate structures supported by advanced metering infrastructure and also provide summaries of studies that have evaluated how electric consumers respond to new pricing structures.

Competitive Metering Studies

The reports provided in this section provide a useful historical perspective on AMI. During the early days of electric utility restructuring, many believed that advanced meters and related communications infrastructure would receive a substantial boost from newly unleashed competitive forces. These reports provide a useful insight into why AMI development evolved down a different path.

AMI Standards

Materials in this section summarize current efforts to provide greater standardization for equipment platforms, communication architecture and user interfaces related to AMI deployments.

MADRI Meeting Survey

MADRI, with financial support from DOE, commissioned the "Installed Meter Survey" to develop a better understanding of what types of meters were currently installed in the Mid-Atlantic region and how these meters were currently being used. The report that was produced as a result of the survey presents a summary of the survey results.

Marketing Crossroads: Installed Meter Survey (May 2005)

AMI Organizations and Companies