ABOUT THE PEER GROUP
Like all UPN peer groups, the UPN's AMI/Smartgrid Utility Peer Group similarly networks and advocates AMI/Smartgrid professionals at utilities (not vendors). Membership in this group is managed by UPN and led by a panel of utility metering peers worldwide, with Southern California Edison (SCE) chairing the Platinum Member Advisory Group when we launched in 2007.
The panel includes one leading utility per continent/region with SCE named as the lead for North America. Each having equal input, panel members in this Advisory Board simply provide direction and suggestions to UPN for ongoing improvement of the groups value. The panel also spreads the word to other utilities in their region/continent.
The mission of the group is to enable utilities worldwide to share business best practices and experiences related to business case development, implementation and operation of Smartgrid and Advanced Metering systems. By focusing on the business side of advanced metering and Smartgrid, this initiative contrasts with technical forums already in existence. In addition, the group uniquely provides utility members options to utilize UPN staff for customized referral services and information gathering. Participants in the Smartgrid/AMI Awards and Global Smartgrid/AMI Utility Peer Group include an impressive representation of utilities worldwide, with involvement by leaders such as Entergy (USA), Southern Company (USA), Guernsey Electric (UK), EDF (France), ENEL (Italy), Country Energy (Australia), Duke Energy, PPL Electric, Ampla Energia (Brazil), Scottish Power (UK), Chatham Kent Hydro (Canada), Ekurhuleni Electricity (Africa), ESKOM (Africa), North Delhi Power (Asia), etc.
THE AMI UTILITY PEER GROUP WORKSHOP
To kick off the group, the first AMI Peer Group Workshop was open to utilities only (with no exceptions) and allowed for a free flow of utility exchange of best practices in AMI. Sponsored by Southern California Edison, attendance was capped so that ad hoc information exchange remained interactive.
The workshop in 2007, held in California March 27-28, 2007 included an SCE tour on March 28.
The 2007 event was very successful, with more utilities requesting to come than we had seats available. This is one of the very unique factors of the meeting, not to mention the fact that absolutely no vendor was permitted to attend in 2007.
The Spring 2008 Workshop was hosted by DTE Energy. Only invited utilities were in attendance.
The Spring 2009 Workshop was hosted by SCE in California. Only invited utilities could register and no vendors were in attendance.
Members of the group have options to come together twice a year. The first is the Spring workshop, and the second is the Annual Metering Awards Workshop (which in both 2006 and 2007 was held the day before the opening of AMRA Autovation). Other than that, the group will have multiple times throughout the year to share and exchange information.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS GROUP?
- A core group of utilities came to UPN to start the group, with representation from virtually every corner of the world
- Membership is not open to vendors or consultants
- Membership includes a staffed service, where utility members have the option to leverage UPN staff for specific referral requests and research
- Members have multiple venues to share information among each other (ie utilities only message board, annual member sharing questionnaire, spring workshop, etc.)
- The workshop is organized/run and attended by UPN and utilities only -- with the agenda developed by utility members themselves. No vendors are involved and no vendors attend the spring workshop.
- A limited number of utilities are invited to the Spring workshop, and we cap the number of utilities that can attend.
- The group is focused on the business side of AMI and Smartgrid
- The group has two general areas that utilities can participate in: 1)operational side of AMI and Smartgrid; and 2)the customer care (and customer enrollment) aspects of Smartgrid and AMI
SMART GRID RECRUITING SERVICE
Looking to fill a Smart Grid job position? Recruiting services are either free or discounted depending on your membership level. For more information, call 978-264-0085 or see http://www.utiliplan.com/consulting.html.
UTILITY MEMBERSHIP LEVELS AND FEES
Bronze Level and Silver Level membership levels are available. Call 978-264-0085 or email info@metering-awards.com for more information. Note: All travel related costs are incurred by members.
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