Runestone Electric Association Selects Aclara Power Line Communication Technology for Advanced Metering Infrastructure Upgrade

Case Study Highlights Benefits of TWACS Technology for Rural Electric Cooperatives

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Oct 11, 2018, 11:44 ET

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota-based Runestone Electric Association (REA) recently replaced an aging power line carrier system with the Aclara TWACS® power line communication (PLC) technology for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), reducing read times of its over 1400-square-mile system from 27 hours to 30 minutes.

In addition to reducing the time it takes to read the entire system, TWACS technology reduced line loss by almost 1 percent. The system also is upgradable to accommodate additional technologies and outage identification capabilities.

Power line communication solutions work well for utilities that are serving large geographies, especially where there are large distances between meter locations.

"TWACS technology is the perfect solution for us because it is proven and extremely reliable in quickly reading meters distributed over wide geographic areas," said Scott Krueger, billing/IT supervisor at REA. "Plus, the system provides real time communications, allowing us to accommodate our significant populations of seasonal members with remote connect and disconnect services."

The process REA used to evaluate and select the TWACS solution is discussed in a new case study from Aclara, a leading supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) to electric, gas and water utilities.

In its decision making, REA considered a variety of AMI technology alternatives from multiple vendors, including RF mesh, RF point-to-multipoint, cellular, and power line carrier, as well as power line communication solutions. REA also evaluated various headend software solutions and meter technologies. Read how to select the right advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology.

"Runestone's selection of power line communication as its AMI solution proves that PLC is and will continue to be an important alternative for AMI, especially for rural electric cooperatives or utilities with a mixed rural and urban population profile," said Allan Connolly, president of Aclara and Divisional Vice President of Hubbell Power Systems. "Our 400 TWACS customers are extremely loyal to the technology because it continues to meet the unique requirements of utilities with significant low-density meter populations."

Besides remote connect/disconnect, the cooperative looked for several additional capabilities in its new AMI solution, including the ability to integrate with REA's customer information and outage management vendors. Plus, the initial and recurring costs necessary to support an AMI system spread across REA's large service territory were lower when compared to other technologies.

To learn more, download the case study.

About Aclara

Aclara, now part of the Hubbell Power Systems family of brands, is a world-class supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) and services to more than 800 water, gas, and electric utilities globally. Aclara SIS offerings include smart meters and other field devices, advanced metering infrastructure and software and services that enable utilities to predict and respond to conditions, leverage their distribution networks effectively, and engage with their customers. Aclara won a Frost & Sullivan Global Smart Energy Networks Enabling Technology Leadership Award in 2017 and was named a finalist in three categories of the Platts Global Energy Awards in 2016. Visit us at Aclara.com, follow us on Twitter @AclaraSolutions or subscribe to our blog.

About Hubbell Power Systems

Hubbell Power Systems, Inc. (HPS) is a subsidiary of Hubbell Incorporated and an international manufacturer of quality transmission, distribution, substation, OEM and telecommunications products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction and electric, gas and water utility applications. With revenues of $1.1 billion, HPS operates manufacturing facilities in the United States and around the world. The headquarters is located in Columbia, South Carolina.