OSIsoft, LLC has announced its selection by Consumers Energy, a Jackson, Michigan-based electric and natural gas utility, as the vendor for its Operational Data Management system, which includes the OSIsoft Meter Data Unification and Synchronization (MDUS) for integration with SAP for Utilities solutions. Consumers Energy will have approximately 2.4 million meters in its production system. The OSIsoft technology will be used in support of the utility’s distribution and operations as well as providing meter data capture and integration to the enterprise.
Consumers Energy performed functional and performance testing at its Smart Services Learning Center (SSLC) dealing with SCADA and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) devices before choosing the OSIsoft products. The SSLC is also the testing center for the SAP Lighthouse Council assuring interoperability between SAP and MDUS vendors. At Consumers Energy, OSIsoft’s MDUS includes bi-directional interfaces to multiple AMI systems. These PI AMI interfaces automatically discover meters, configure data points, collect meter and event data, and broker commands, such as on-demand reads, pings, connects and disconnects. The PI System is a real-time infrastructure that can manage large amounts of time based data providing data collection, analytics and visualization. Consumers Energy will be using the PI System for data collection and analysis of its 1,200 distribution substations. The combination of uses for meter data and distribution systems allow for the end to end viewing of operations.
OSIsoft MDUS integrates AMI head-end systems with SAP for Utilities solutions. Used in combination with SAP AMI Integration for Utilities software, OSIsoft MDUS makes it feasible for customers to obtain real-time meter data from the smart grid. This allows customers to benefit from capabilities on the smart grid, such as optimized meter to cash, extended customer service, time of use billing and demand-side management.
“Developing an architecture based on layered solutions is a strategic direction for Consumers Energy,” said Wayne Longcore, director of enterprise architecture and standards for Consumers Energy. “The PI System real-time infrastructure provides a uniform architecture layer that can be used for all operational data. Its features of high-availability, flexibility in support of interfaces, endpoint-level security and an ability to monitor IT assets, meter data and SCADA systems help us design a more secure and reliable system.”
