Welcome

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Session

Aclara RF Next Generation - Leveraging Your Network Beyond Metering

Terry Van Olst – Director, AMI Product Mgmt.

tvanolst@aclara.com

Aclara Synergize RF Solution

Aclara RF –AclaraONE

connected networkScalable, reliable proven multi-

application communications technology supporting secure

RF Electric, Water, and Gas AMI on one common network

Expandable for future applications as needs change –

Load Control, DA, Advanced Grid Monitoring…

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Synergize™ RF Network

Simple Flexible Locations High Redundancy Low O & M Costs

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• Industry Leader

• Pioneered TWACS

Power Line

Communications

• Large Scale

Deployments

• Point-to-Multi Point Solution (P2MP)

• 450-470MHz Optimal for Low Power

• Redundant Coverage Network

• Standards Based

• Larger Packets, Increased Bandwidth

Deterministic Latency

• Scale (6M+ End Points)

• Leverage Water/Gas RF Radio Experience

– Network Design, Radios, Software

• Common RF Radio & Components

• Common Network Management System

• Enhanced Security

• Firmware Downloads (OTA - DFW)

• Layered Architecture - enables for fast

future technology enhancements

• Enhanced Coverage by Antenna Diversity

• Scale

• DCU2+ (Combo) –

Service Electric, Water,

Gas

• DA, Load Control

• AclaraONE – Multi

Application Support

(E,W,G)

Aclara RFTechnology Evolution

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AMI’s Synergize RF Network InfrastructureRobust Design

Resiliency Robust, High Winds, Rain & Licensed Secure RFOperations

Redundancy By Network Design

Ride-thru Battery backup for full operation

Retention Data Retention (DCU and/or Endpoint)

Recovery Automatic Historic Recovery

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All DCUs within range will receive the endpoint data, then relay it to the head end system.

Multiple DCUs can receive data from the same end point.

Duplicate data is filtered out at the head end system.

In the event a DCU goes out of service, built-in network redundancy allows for meters to still communicate to the head end system via other DCUs that are within range.

DCUData Collector Unit

Communications

Aclara RF SystemCommunications & Reading

Scheduled meter reads are initiated at the meter and bubble up to the head end system.

AclaraONE Managed• Load management events &

configuration how the end point operates.

• On demand (ad hoc) reads & disconnects

• Over the Air configuration & firmware updates

Meter reads and load management events can also be initiated by a 3rd party system (i.e. CIS, SCADA....)

Metering End PointsMTU/NIC

Reading

The Aclara RF network operates between 450-470 MHz

Each DCU supports 9 channels/transceiver• 1 downlink channel, dedicated to

transmit to the endpoints• 8 uplink channels dedicated to receive

data from the endpoints

Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) to assess channel RF traffic and moves between channels for optimal reliable communications to DCU’s

Proven RF technology which provides >99% read reliability as demonstrated having 20+ years RF field experience with customers..

Design

Network

Feature

Licensed Spectrum No Interference

Less Infrastructure and Maintenance

Customer Impact

Fast sensing, control and feedback

Prioritize Critical Applications

Low Latency

450-470MHz Channels

Prioritization of Messaging

Home Run Deployment Technique Consistent, reliable communications

Reliability Through RedundancySystem Infrastructure Redundancy

ACLARA ARCHITECTUREPurpose built for distribution network visibility and optimization

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Feature Benefits – Synergize RF

Licensed 450 MHz – 470 MHz advantages

• Less competition for airwaves

• Lower noise on channel

RF Penetration

• NIST report available for signal loss through building structures (NISTIR 6055)

• 450 MHz penetrates foliage and standard construction materials far more

effectively than 900MHz

• Head-to-head comparison results in measurable performance difference in

“hard-to-hear” locations.

Lower Free Space Path Loss

• Increasing the frequency requires an increase in RF power

• 900 MHz systems operate with four times higher signal losses. These

systems need much higher power to compensate for losses.

• Aclara transmits almost 100% through a basement wall

• 900 MHz system loses 1/3 of RF propagation when in a

basement

Complete

transmission

Frequency (GHz)No

transmission

Tra

nsm

issi

on

Co

eff

icie

nt

Aclara

Other Solutions

Other Solutions

Frequency Advantage

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ComprehensiveSolution Suite

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Aclara Communications Ecosystem

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TWACS Meter Transmitting Unit

TWACS Substation Communication Equipment RF Data Collection

Unit RF Meter Electric Transmitting Unit

Aclara Unified Head-End System

Demand Response Unit (DRU)

Distribution Automation Controller

RF Data Collection Unit

RF Water/Gas Transmitting Unit

Cellular/Ethernet/IPBackhaul

Cellular/Ethernet/IPBackhaul

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Aclara Communications Ecosystem

Purpose Built for Load Control and DA

TWACS Meter Transmitting Unit

TWACS Substation Communication Equipment RF Data

Collection Unit

RF Data Collection Unit

RF Meter Electric Transmitting Units

Aclara Unified Head-End System

Load Control

Voltage Regulator

Load Tap Changer

CapacitorBank

RemoteSwitch

CapacitorBank

Load ControlVoltage Regulator

Aclara Communications Ecosystem

TWACS Meter

Transmitting

Unit

TWACS Substation

Communication

EquipmentRF Data

Collection UnitRF Meter

Electric Transmitting

Unit

Aclara Unified

Head-End System

RF Load Control

Metrum Cellular

Meter Transmitting

Unit

RF Data

Collection Unit

RF Meter Water

Transmitting Units

TWACS Load

Control

ZoneScan Leak

Detection

RF Distribution

Automation

Unified under AclaraOne head-

end system

• TWACS Power Line

• RF – Electric/Water

• Metrum Cellular

Maximum flexibility to meet

Smart Grid and AMI requirements

Migratable – accommodates

evolution of AMI technology use

Optimized solution – best-suited

technologies for an application

©2019 Aclara Technologies LLC – Confidential - Not for Distribution

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Data Collector Unit

MTU - Meter Transmitting Unit/NIC – Network Interface Card Data Collector Unit

Data Collector Unit

Synergize RF – Simplified w/Redundancy

Aclara Head EndAclaraONE

• Aclara Electricity Meters + NIC

• I-210+ (Residential)

• I-210+c (Residential)

• kV2c (C&I)

• Water Endpoints (MTU)

• Gas End Points (MTU)

• Load Control, DA,... Endpoint

• Low Cost - Data Collector Units

(DCU)

• Electric

• Water

• Gas

• DA. Load Control

• Lighting

• Aclara Hosted or On Premise AMI

Head End Software & Servers

• Aclara Electricity Meters + NIC

• I-210+ (Residential)

• I-210+c (Residential)

• kV2c (C&I)

• Water Endpoints (MTU)

• Gas End Points (MTU)

• Load Control, DA,... Endpoint

• Low Cost - Data Collector Units

(DCU)

• Electric

• Water

• Gas

• DA. Load Control

• Lighting

• Aclara Hosted or On Premise AMI

Head End Software & Servers

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Data Collector Unit

Data Collector Unit

Data Collector Unit

Aclara Head EndAclaraONE

Synergize RF – Simplified w/Redundancy

MTU - Meter Transmitting Unit/NIC – Network Interface Card

• Aclara Electricity Meters + NIC

• I-210+ (Residential)

• I-210+c (Residential)

• kV2c (C&I)

• Water Endpoints (MTU)

• Gas End Points (MTU)

• Load Control, DA,... Endpoint

• Low Cost - Data Collector Units

(DCU)

• Electric

• Water

• Gas

• DA. Load Control

• Lighting

• Aclara Hosted or On Premise AMI

Head End Software & Servers

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Data Collector Unit

MTU - Meter Transmitting Unit/NIC – Network Interface Card Data Collector Unit

Data Collector Unit

Synergize RF – Simplified w/Redundancy

Aclara Head EndAclaraONE

X

• Aclara Electricity Meters + NIC

• I-210+ (Residential)

• I-210+c (Residential)

• kV2c (C&I)

• Water Endpoints (MTU)

• Gas End Points (MTU)

• Load Control, DA,... Endpoint

• Low Cost - Data Collector Units

(DCU)

• Electric

• Water

• Gas

• DA. Load Control

• Lighting

• Aclara Hosted or On Premise AMI

Head End Software & Servers

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Data Collector Unit

MTU - Meter Transmitting Unit/NIC – Network Interface Card Data Collector Unit

Data Collector Unit

Synergize RF – Simplified w/Redundancy

Aclara Head EndAclaraONE

X

X

Aclara RF – AMI Components & Meters

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DCU2+Combo

Same footprint and capabilities as Current DCU

Improved Performance

• 15k Electric, 15k Water, 15k Gas

• High Density (5k/sq. mi.)

• Antenna Option (EM Wave, Laird)

• Solar Operation

Secure FW updates, AES 256

Backup Battery

3 Transceiver Board Support

Parallel Channels, 24 inbound, 3 outbound

GPS – Network Time Synchronization/Location

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DCU2+ ComboData Collector Unit

• Solar or AC powered

• Cellular, Fiber, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Wi-MAX WAN backhaul options

• Flexible installation options:

• Roof

• Water tank

• Street light

• Utility pole mounting options

• No repeaters are required in an Aclara AMI network

• The redundancy designed into the network makes repeaters unnecessary

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A P P L I C AT I O N

O P T I M I Z E D

N E T W O R K

Aclara networks are purpose built to optimize for

all your smart grid applications.

Parallel Networks, One Infrastructure

• Dedicated Frequencies per Application

• AMI

• Load control

• Distribution Automation

• No Contention

Bandwidth to Grow

• 9 Radios for AMI

• 18 Radios for Future Applications

AMI

DA/LOAD

CONTROL

FUTURE

APPLICATIONS

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DCU2+Typical Installations

One antenna for both transmit and receive.

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DCU2+Pole Mount Installations

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DCU2+ ComboAntenna Installations

Synergize RF Meter Portfolio Overview

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Synergize RF Meter Portfolio Overview

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Now Available

New Opportunities

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AclaraIntelligent Load Control▪ Reliability, fastest SCRAM command in the industry

▪ Reduced cost, peak shifting, peak reduction

▪ Customer satisfaction - - Intelligent comfort algorithm maximized consumer comfort while providing greatest load shed

▪ Complementary Enbala software reduces complexity and maximizes benefit, DERs and DA integration => economic dispatch

Hardware

• Synergize RF, TWACS

• Intelligent Load Control

UtilityCommand & Control; Dashboarding & AnalyticsPlatform Services – Integration/Data Store

Commercial, Industrial & Business Load ControlBusiness Engagement PortalLoad Control Devices

Irrigation ControlLoad Control Devices

Electric Heat ControlConsumer Engagement PortalLoad Control Devices

HVAC, Pool Pump, Hot H20, etc.Consumer Engagement PortalLoad Control Devices, PCTs, EVCS, Gateways

Software

• Aclara Load Control Application

• Enbala Virtual Power Plant Value Added

Module

EnbalaAclaraONE

Stop by the Knowledge Center for a demo!

AclaraDistribution Automation

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Synergize® DA Radio: A Synergize RF radio that interfaces to Intelligent Electronic Devices that control Electric

Distribution Capacitor Banks, Voltage Regulators, Reclosers, Load Tap Changers.

TWACS Distribution Switching Transponder (CST): A TWACS powerline communications device to provide remote switching of distribution devices

and neutral current monitoring

Capacitor Bank Voltage RegulatorsReclosers

DST TWACS

Distribution Switching

Transponder

Synergize® RF Radio interfaces

inside control cabinet

DC

RS-232

USB

Ethernet

RF

Stop by the Knowledge Center for a demo!

INTEGRATED

SOLUTIONS

AclaraDistribution Automation Partner Ecosystem

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• On-demand readings

• Over-the-air firmware updates

• Stores 96 days of hourly reads

• AES 256 encryption: NIST compliant

security

• Remote shutoff valve control

• Compatible with all major water meters

• Under or through-the-lid install

• Multiple industry-standard connectors

• 20-year battery life

• IP68 rated

• Single and Dual-port versions

Water & Gas MTU Features and Functionality

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Pressure Monitoring• Health / Safety• Satisfaction• Asset Life

Leak Detection• Conservation• Operating Cost• Maintenance Cost• Satisfaction

Level / Flow Monitoring• Health / Safety• Operations• Public Relations

Methane Detection• Safety• Response Time• Minimize Event

Network EnabledSensors

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Aclara Synergize RFStreet Lighting Controllers (Roadmap)

Aclara Lighting Control

▪ Adapt to all fixture types

▪ Available for all major voltages

▪ ANSI Standard C136-41 (3, 5, 7 pint)

▪ ANSI C-12.20 class 0.2 metering

▪ 0-10V dimming or switching 10A

▪ IP66 Housing

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Aclara Synergize RFGrid Monitoring (Roadmap)

Raw Data Capture

Predictive Grid

Analytics

Planning, Reporting,

Trending & Alarms

Classification

Hardware Analytics / Software

FCI PT CT

GPS

Wireless

Comms

Load

LoggerPhase ID

Tracker

Power Sensor

MV Sensor

• Inductively powered,

battery-free operation

• Operations down to 3 amps -

visibility to the edge of the grid

• Build-in communications

• 20 year lifetime (MTBF)

• Analytics eliminate false positive

reporting

Sensor Management System Software

1

2

3

4

Analytic Processing for

Improved Accuracy and

Intelligence

Industry Leading Sensor Platform

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Product Roadmap

2019 2021 2022

RF

2020 2023

Roadmap – Synergize RF2024

Product In Development

Product in Market

Product Innovation CharterProduct Innovation Charter

Next Gen Intelligent Load Control (smaller form factor)

Support for Aclara I-210+/c meter & kV2c Gen5 meter

AclaraONE (AO) Support for Hybrid RF/TWACS networks

Aclara Light Controller (Street/Security Light)

Support for additional 3rd party meters (Residential and C&I)

RF Available on Aclara I-210+ and kV2c meters

DA Integrated Solutions (Cap Bank, Reclosers, 3rd party controllers)

Combo DCU (A/C version, simultaneous Electric/Water/Gas AMI)

Support for Aclara SGM1400 meter

Combo DCU (Solar version, simultaneous Electric/Water/Gas AMI)

Intelligent Load Control

DA Edge Gateway

Note: Availability dates are estimated and subject to change.

Pilot Kit

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Synergize RF Pilot Kits

DescriptionSingle Phase Meters

(Qty)

Poly Phase Meters(Qty)

Data Collector Units (DCU’s) Qty

Aclara Pilot Option 1100 Meters with MTU’s and 2 DCU’s

I-210+ Form 2s w/RD(x 95)

kV2c Form 9s(x 5)

2• 90 Day Pilot Period • Hosted AclaraONE™• Flat file export to back

office applications

Aclara Pilot Option 2500 Meters with MTU’s and 4 DCU’s I-210+ Form 2s w/RD

(x 490)kV2c Form 9s

(x 10)4

• 90 Day Pilot Period • Hosted AclaraONE™• Flat file export to back

office applications

Aclara Pilot Option 31,000 Meters with MTU’s and 6 DCU’s

I-210+ Form 2s w/RD(x 970)

kV2c Form 9s (x 30)

6• 90 Day Pilot Period • Hosted AclaraONE™• Flat file export to back

office applications

Note: *Water/Gas MTU’s may be substituted in place of Electricity Meters at no additional charge

Contact your Aclara Sales representative for further information

Please go to the AclaraConnect

mobile app to take our survey PLEASE!

We need your input!

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How to ContactMe?

presenter phone

Mobile +1-724-249-3858

Office +1-724-330-5042

online

tvanolst@aclara.comTerry Van Olst

Director, AMI Product Management

See you in Nashville, Tennessee

April 27-30, 2020

join us

thank you.