AMI Benefits (pdf)

AMI Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) 

AMI Project Updates

Update 01/18/10: PPCS is beginning the second phase of our three-year deployment of our AMI project. Chapman Metering and PPCS employees will begin installing new AMI meters at homes and businesses of 1,265 members served by the Beldenville Substation.  These members reside in the towns of Ellsworth, Gilman, Hartland, Martell, Oak Grove, River Falls and Trimbelle in Pierce County; and the towns of Kinnickinnic and Troy in St. Croix County.

In 2010, members served by the El Paso, Martell and Glenmont substations will also receive new AMI meters, as well as a portion of those served by Trimbelle. We will update you when meter change outs on each of these substations begin.

Update 09/25/09:  All PPCS substations have been retrofitted with AMI equipment. Chapman Metering has completed all scheduled AMI meter replacements on the designated meter reading routes for the Ella and Lund substations.  Some change outs were also done for members on those routes served by the Nugget Lake Substation. PPCS personnel are currently replacing the remaining meters with the AMI meters on all circuits out of the Ella, Lund and Nugget Lake substations. Finalizing these meter changes outs will allow us to fully test and verify meter reading accuracy before a full conversion to the AMI system for these substations by year end.

Update 07/24/09:  The Ella, Lund, Beldenville, Esdaile, Glenmont, Nugget Lake and Trenton substations have all been retrofitted with AMI equipment. Members in the Arkansaw, Durand, Elmwood, Maiden Rock and Plum City areas served by the Ella and Lund substations have new AMI meters. Equipment in both the Lund and Ella substations are being tested along with the newly installed AMI meters. System functions will be evaluated and verified for accuracy before the reading of these meters are switched over to the AMI system.

Update 06/25/09:  The Ella Substation has been retrofitted with AMI equipment.  This equipment has been tested and is fully operational.  We will be testing and verifying the accuracy of each function of the system the remainder of this year.

Update 06/19/09:  Members in the Pepin and Stockholm areas served by the Ella and Lund substations have new AMI meters. Total number of AMI meters installed to date: 525.  Members in the Arkansaw, Durand, Elmwood, Maiden Rock and Plum City areas served by the Ella and Lund Substations will begin receiving new AMI meters on July 1.

Update - 05/29/09:  The Glenmont substation has been retrofitted with AMI equipment.  PPCS’ other 10 substations are in different phases of being upgraded.  On June 1, Chapman Metering, PPCS’s contractor, will begin installing new AMI meters in member’s homes and businesses in the Stockholm and Pepin areas. These members are served by our Ella and Lund substations.  Approximately 600 meters will be installed.

Background Information – 3/25/09:  PPCS is scheduled to begin deployment of the Cannon Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system in mid-April. The first phase of this three-year project includes retrofitting PPCS’ ten substations. All meters will be replaced with AMI digital meters: 2,000 meters in 2009, 3,700 in 2010, and the balance in 2011.

Chapman Metering will be installing the new meters for PPCS. The first exchange of new meters will be for members served by the Ella and Lund substations. About 2,000 new meters will be exchanged for members in the townships listed below. Members will be notified in advance.
 

• Pierce County: El Paso, Maiden Rock, Rock Elm, Union
• Pepin County: Durand, Frankfort, Pepin, Stockholm, Waterville, Waubeek
• Buffalo County: Maxville

AMI technology is a key component of the “Smart Grid” initiative. The two-way 24-hour communication system will enhance member service, improve electric service and service reliability, and improve day-to-day operating efficiencies.

“The AMI system offers a wide range of applications to meet our technology goals that will better serve our members today and well into the future,” says Larry Dokkestul, PPCS president/CEO.