Background

For ZSD, the collection of metering data from electricity meters and its reporting to the short-term electricity market operator is a key process regulated by Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic No. 356/2013 Coll., which defines the procedures and conditions for the implementation and operation of intelligent metering systems in the electricity sector.
ZSD used four metering data collection systems with different data acquisition modes:

the MMR (Manual Meter Reading) system collecting data manually (i.e. by meter readers),
the RMR (Remote Meter Reading) system collecting data automatically via remote reading,
the IMS/SMR (Intelligent Metering System / Smart Meter Reading) system collecting data automatically from smart meters,
the IMS-C (IMS in mode C) system collecting data automatically from smart meters without collecting regular interval (so-called “profile”) measurements.

The individual metering systems were deployed and operated independently and each had a specific set of functionalities typical for the respective data collection mode. At the same time, the metering systems reflected functionalities and architectures resulting from the historical development of technological capabilities.
As a result, ZSD did not have consolidated data, which created limitations reducing the efficiency of metering processes. ZSD also faced a situation with limited options for reporting substitute values required in case of communication failures with meters or meter malfunctions. This posed a risk that, in the event of a failure of automated data collection systems (RMR, IMS), both reporting and billing capabilities would be limited.
Limited reporting capabilities also posed a risk of penalties for failure to meet reporting obligations in the regulated liberalized energy market environment. Another reason for introducing a new metering system was the lack of supporting data for handling complaints and billing deviations. In particular, mechanisms for correcting missing data and for automating the process of retrieving correct values were missing.

Objectives

The client’s goal was to obtain an information system providing a unified and consolidated solution for a central metering application, the so-called master system.
A key requirement was that the consolidated metering system (KOC) should support both automatic and manual meter reading processes.
Expected outcomes of the consolidation included:

replacing independently operated metering systems (IMS/SMR, MMR, RMR, IMS-C),
operating a unified data repository for all readings regardless of acquisition mode,
enabling centralized access to metering data and ensuring a unified overview of all related processes.

The stored metering data had to meet the following criteria:

availability for systems within ZSD infrastructure,
integration capability with the enterprise integration platform (Enterprise Service Bus),
distribution to downstream systems (SAP, balancing system, SCADA, GIS, etc.).

The data also had to meet formal and quality requirements for future integration into a data warehouse.
Additional requirements included:

creating space for deploying innovative solutions for end customers,
optimizing operational costs of metering systems,
increasing system capacity in terms of supported smart meters in line with Decree No. 358/2013 Coll.

Solution – Phase I

Within Phase I of the comprehensive system solution for metering system consolidation, the core system for consolidated processing of meter readings was put into operation on January 23, 2022, together with modules responsible for communication with smart metering devices.
By implementing the core system and modules, two of the four original metering systems (IMS and IMS-C) were replaced.
The new solution eliminates risks related to inconsistent functionality of legacy systems and the absence of a unified data view. It also improves resilience to metering failures, significantly increases the capacity for handling a larger number of meters, and resolves the historical lack of mechanisms for correcting missing data.
The requirement for integration with other systems within ZSD’s infrastructure was fulfilled through the enterprise integration platform.
As a result of Phase I implementation, more than 200,000 smart meters in mode A were successfully read with a success rate exceeding 99.5%.

Solution – Phase II

Within Phase II, launched on February 16, 2023, the system was extended to include a comprehensive solution for manually collected meter readings.
The consolidated metering system (KOC) began processing manually collected readings in the same way as those from smart meters.
For the first time, the benefits of consolidating the original systems into one centralized system became evident.
The original MMR system was successfully replaced, modernizing the entire manual reading process.
The KOC system enables, for example:

intelligent grouping of manual reading tasks based on factors relevant for workload distribution,
full automation of task allocation to meter readers with location optimization,
comprehensive linkage of collected data with each reading, including processing of historical meter data.

The processing of both reading types was unified to the highest possible extent.
Additional modules improved performance tracking and coordination of meter readers and their supervisors, including metrics such as the number of readings performed, additional activities, and duration of tasks.
The system was also integrated with handheld devices used in the field and with an external photo storage service for manual readings.
With Phase II deployment, an additional 2.3 million meters were brought under KOC system management.

Services

For a period of 8 years after full system deployment, ZSD is provided with services including:

• daily monitoring of ongoing system processes and communication with metering devices, analysis of error logs
• analysis of communication results with surrounding systems (e.g. SAP) in case of unclear process outcomes.