Advanced Metering Infrastructure: 10+ Solutions & Case Studies

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is an integrated system, including smart technology solutions with specific advanced capabilities. AMI captures interval data points to monitor and manage factors like voltage stability and frequency flections, maintaining power quality. This is why the interest in AMI has been at a gradual rise since 2022 (See Cover image).

Expand Image

Explore what AMI is, its real-life use cases with specific examples, top tools and complementary solutions:

Advanced metering infrastructure solutions

The AMI market covers a diverse range of solution providers, varying in size and offerings. The table presented below categorizes large-scale advanced metering infrastructure solutions according to their respective employee numbers. The review score column provides insights into the performance of these tools, displaying both the number of reviews and the average score on Gartner.

5 Complementary tools to optimize AMI operations

The deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) extends beyond the hardware and communication elements, encompassing strategic utilization of diverse tools for automation, management, and orchestration. In tandem with Workload Automation (WLA) tools, several advanced solutions synergise with AMI, elevating overall operational efficiency and performance.

Expand Image

1.) Workload automation and job scheduling tools: Workload automation (WLA) tools automate and schedule tasks within AMI systems. They help streamline workflows and automate processes like data collection, transmission, and processing, ensuring accurate and timely readings. Many WLA tools can integrate with ERP systems, such as SAP utility solutions, and manage the meter-to-cash process, making them essential in meter-to-cash solutions.

Explore other WLA tools through our comprehensive and data-driven vendor lists.

2.) Energy management systems (EMS): These systems are focused on optimizing energy consumption and distribution. EMS facilitates usage patterns analysis, demand response strategies implementation, and overall smart grid performance improvement.

3.) Cybersecurity solutions: These tools can safeguard sensitive data in the AMI ecosystem, ensuring protection against unauthorized access, guaranteeing the integrity and confidentiality of transmitted and processed data.

Explore our comprehensive and updated vendor lists of various cybersecurity tools, such as application security and DAST tools.

4.) Advanced analytics platforms: These tools are can offer profound insights into meter data. They leverage machine learning and data analytics for pattern identification, demand forecasting, and data-driven decision-making to enhance operational efficiency.

5.) IoT devices and sensors: IoT tools and sensors can enhance connectivity and data gathering capabilities. They enable a more granular understanding of energy consumption patterns and supports data-driven decision-making in AMI operations.

What is advanced metering infrastructure?

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a bidirectional communication system employed to collect detailed metering data within utility service sectors (including electricity, gas, and water utilities). This automated system facilitates real-time and on-demand communication with metering endpoints.

AMI collects time-differentiated energy usage, preferably via a two-way fixed network, providing usage data to electricity customers, utilities, and stakeholders daily or more frequently. It supports functions such as outage management and connect/disconnect. AMI goes beyond basic metering and requires significant bandwidth for activities like demand response/load management and distribution automation.

Type of data advanced metering infrastructure solutions transfer

AMI systems handle diverse energy data, essential for understanding usage and grid dynamics. Types include kWh usage, peak kW demand, load profile, voltage details, outage logs, tamper alerts, and more. Electric metering endpoints contribute to data collection and analysis, offering insights into consumption, grid performance, and customer behavior.

High-end AMI systems go further, enabling real-time access to this information. This empowers utilities with enhanced operational insights, facilitating agile decision-making and proactive grid management based on a granular understanding of data types.

Expand Image

Core AMI architecture components

AMI integrates components like:

• Smart meters: Smart meters are digital devices for gas, electric, and water meters. They record energy consumption at intervals of an hour or less, and transmit data back to the utility company at least once daily.
• Communication networks: Communication networks serve as the backbone for two-way communication and can be either wireless or wired based on the system topology. These networks facilitate the transmission of data between smart meters and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) head-end system, utilizing various mediums such as radio frequency signals, cellular networks, broadband connections, or power line communication.

Expand Image

• Transmission mediums: Utilizing various mediums such as radio frequency signals, cellular networks, broadband connections, or power line communication, transmission mediums facilitate the transfer of usage information to utility companies.
• Remote management: Remote management eliminates the need for manual meter readings, enabling faster response times during power outages. Additionally, it allows for remote commands such as disconnect/reconnect and firmware updates.
• Data management system: The Data Management System serves as a central repository for collecting, storing, processing, and analyzing meter data. This system converts raw data from smart meters into actionable insights, empowering utilities with information for operational improvements.

Expand Image

Understanding the AMI Workflow

Expand Image

1. Data Collection and transmission: Smart meters, installed at customers’ locations, automatically record energy usage. Then, they send consumption data regularly back to the utility company.
2. Data reception and management: The AMI head-end system acts as a central hub for data from all smart meters. This system verifies and processes the data before forwarding it to the Meter Data Management System (MDMS).
3. Data processing and analysis (MDMS): MDMS transforms raw data into meaningful information. Utility companies use this information for decisions like load forecasting and managing transformer load during outages.
4. Customer interface: Utility companies share data insights with customers. Customers can access detailed energy usage information through portals and displays, encouraging energy-saving habits.
5. Outage notification and management: AMI systems have outage management features. Smart meters receive signals before power loss, aiding quick issue identification and resolution.

12 AMI use cases & real-life examples

Some of the real-life applications of advanced infrastructure and relevant case studies include:

Verify power outages and service restoration

AMI systems swiftly identify and report power outages, reducing downtime and improving service reliability, enabling utilities to pinpoint outage locations for quicker repairs.

Real-life example for power outages and service restorations

EnergyUnited (USA) – Real-Time Outage Alerts & Efficiency

EnergyUnited, a North Carolina electric co-op, replaced its aging PLC system with Sensus Stratus meters on FlexNet. Results included:

• Dispatched crew 1 minute after a meter alert, beating a 911 call .
• Eliminated 450 truck rolls/month via remote reads .
• Improved member satisfaction through real-time outage visibility.
• Installed 70,000 smart meters in one year ³

Remote service disconnects and reconnects

AMI solutions can provide utilities with the ability to remotely connect or disconnect services. This way, they eliminate the need for physical visits, ensuring faster and more efficient service adjustments.

Automated net metering

AMI allows for seamless automated net metering, streamlining the process of crediting customers for excess energy they feed back into the smart grid.

Transmit demand response and load management messages

AMI enhances demand response programs by allowing real-time monitoring of energy usage. Therefore, it enables utilities to send signals to consumers during peak demand periods, promoting load balancing and preventing outages.

Real-life example for proactive load management

A large power distribution utility in Central India struggled with high energy losses, theft, and frequent outages strained the grid and revenue. They replaced old meters with AMI (vendor unspecified) in 2022. Within one year they saw dramatic improvements:

• 25% drop in losses by using real-time data to target theft and inefficiencies.
• 15% revenue boost via accurate, automated readings and tamper alerts.
• 30% fewer outages through voltage monitoring and proactive interventions.
• Enabled load management decisions using near real-time consumption data, improving grid stability.⁴

Interrogate and control distribution automation equipment

AMI systems facilitate the interrogation and control of distribution automation equipment, optimizing grid operations.

Real-life example for

Edmonton’s EPCOR Utilities fully deployed AMI and a new ADMS/OMS in 2017. The integrated system uses smart-meter “last gasp” signals filtered through the ADMS connectivity model. As a result:

• All meters converted to AMI in 2017, fully integrated by 2020.
• “Last gasp” signals auto-generate outage incidents in OMS .
• Faulted devices and affected customers identified within ~1 minute .
• Dispatches crews before customer calls arrive.⁵

Demand response programs

AMI enables real-time monitoring of energy usage, which allows utilities to send signals prompting consumers to reduce consumption during peak demand, aiding load balancing. This help enhance demand response initiatives.

Outage detection and management

AMI automatically detects and reports power outages, reducing downtime and improving service reliability. This way, it helps utilities quickly locate and address outage issues.

Real-life example for outage detection

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) in Washington State upgraded its electric meters with Xylem’s Sensus Stratus IQ meters on a FlexNet RF network. This end-to-end AMI replaced hand‐estimated reads with near real-time data. Key outcomes:

• 6.5 M reads/day for accurate, real-time data .
• Eliminated estimated bills, improving customer trust .
• Restored power within hours after major storms using AMI data.⁶

Remote Connect/Disconnect

AMI allows utilities to remotely manage service connections and disconnections, speeding up the process without requiring physical visits.

Theft detection

As AMI can monitor energy usage patterns to detect irregularities that may indicate theft. AMI identifies instances of low or no consumption despite premises being occupied.

Real life for leak/ theft detection

Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources (Georgia) piloted an AMI system with advanced flow and pressure sensors to detect leaks and theft. In one case: the AMI tool:

• Detected 8,400 gal/day anomaly in real time.
• Customer repaired leak immediately, preventing massive loss.
• Reduced non-revenue water and theft risk.
• Freed utility staff from field checks.⁷

Enhanced customer service

Utilities can benefit from AMI data to offer personalized energy-saving tips and recommendations to customers, empowering customers to manage their energy consumption effectively.

Real-life example for customer service

Horizon Power serves remote communities in Western Australia and needed to replace outdated prepayment meters. The utility implemented Itron’s wireless AMI platform (with Landis+Gyr smart meters and SmartGridCIS prepaid billing software) to enable remote meter management. Results included:

• 90%+ customer adoption of smart prepaid meters .
• Remote switching between prepaid and credit—no site visits .
• Reduced customer debt and improved cash flow management .
• Eliminated manual reconnect trips that previously took days.⁸

Enabling distributed generation

AMI supports utilities in effectively managing distributed, renewable energy resources like solar panels by providing real-time data on energy production and help integrating into the power grid.

Difference between AMI and AMR

Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) are technologies designed to streamline meter reading processes, but they differ in scope and capabilities. Here are AMI vs AMR comparison:

Key Differences:

1. Data Collection Process: AMR relies on field-based data collection, whereas AMI allows for real-time, remote monitoring without the need for manual intervention.
2. Scope of Functionality: AMR primarily focuses on automating meter reading processes, while AMI integrates smart meters and advanced communication networks for a broader range of utility management functions.
3. Operational Efficiency: AMI offers higher operational efficiency with features such as outage detection and demand response, leading to a reduced need for labor compared to AMR.

AMI trends

Advanced metering infrastructure technologies have been adopting recent developments in AI while complying with the latest regulations and security recommendations.

AI Analytics

• 63% reduction in false positives: ML-based anomaly detection (e.g., Oracle) cuts false alerts compared to static rules.
• ~80% theft detection accuracy: Trilliant’s Analytics-as-a-Service identified likely tampering by analyzing voltage and usage signatures.
• LLMs for customer support: PwC highlights Generative AI summarizing AMI data to improve call center efficiency and asset linking.
• On-meter EV detection: Sense’s EV Analytics app (7 kHz waveform sampling) detects Level-1 EV charging events in real time.
• Grid-edge intelligence pilots: Itron, Schneider Electric, and Microsoft Azure AI jointly developing predictive outage detection and DER forecasting.

AMI architecture and cybersecurity

• High-frequency metering: Sense/Sensus collaboration developing 1 MHz sampling meters—1 billion times more data than traditional meters.
• Edge computing in smart meters: Landis+Gyr’s Revelo and Sensus Stratus IQ+ feature embedded processors for on-device analytics and demand response.
• Cloud-native MDMS: Siemens GridScale X (Salt River Project) and Itron Temetra unify AMI, DER, and weather data for real-time monitoring.
• Cybersecurity focus: AI-powered fraud detection expands threat surfaces—industry white papers call for AI-specific security standards.
• Data privacy compliance: EU’s GDPR and NIS2 plus NERC CIP in North America shaping AMI data handling and system design.

Further reading

Read more on different technologies used in utility automation and management:

• Digital Transformation and Sustainability: Top 5 Digital Solutions
• Compare 10 SAP Utility Solutions based on +3000 reviews
• SAP Meter to Cash Process: 10 Technologies to automate it

If you have more questions on AMI and other solutions to automate or orchestrate utilities, do not hesitate contacting us:

External sources

Reference Links

1

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Components-of-AMI-Systems-Network-Architecture-A-Smart-Meters-Smart-meters-should-have_fig1_274367609

2

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Basic-Components-of-an-AMI-System_fig6_322459589

3

https://www.xylem.com/en-us/resources/case-studies/north-carolina-electric-co-op-modernizes-grid-infrastructure-with-sensus/#:~:text=EnergyUnited%20rolled%20out%20more%20than,time%20data%20and%20insights

4

https://innovelenergy.com/case-study-how-smart-meters-transformed-energy-management-for-a-utility/#:~:text=%2A%20Reduced%20Energy%20Losses%3A%20Real,reducing%20service%20disruptions%20by%2030

5

https://www.westernenergy.org/resource/an-intelligent-way-to-integrate-ami-with-adms-for-outage-management/#:~:text=With%20the%20integration%20of%20EPCOR’s,OMS%20incident%20in%20the%20ADMS

6

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/power-grid/smart-grids/case-study-a-washington-utilitys-advanced-metering-journey/#:~:text=The%20upgraded%20infrastructure%20aided%20in,TPU%20restored%20power%20within%20hours

7

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8176864/#:~:text=When%20the%20AMI%20system%20detected,grew%20to%20approximately%208%2C400%20gpd

8

https://aunz.itron.com/documents/d/asset-library-120736/horizon-power-case-study

Industry Analyst

Hazal Şimşek

Industry Analyst

Follow On

Hazal is an industry analyst at AIMultiple, focusing on process mining and IT automation.

View Full Profile

Comments 0

Share Your Thoughts

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.

Name

Email Address

Comment

0/450

Post Comment