Five-minute data deployment helps EVs

Waikato-based WEL Networks has successfully deployed five-minute data across its low voltage (LV) network of 68,600 smart meters.

“This gives us the ability to provide a greater service to our customers, by improving the safety of the network and the ability for customers to leverage their investment in renewable energy or electric vehicles while ensuring the reliability and availability of electricity,” says WEL Networks general manager asset management Mat O’Neill.

He says the collection of five-minute data will allow network enhancement and alleviate constraints while optimising network investment to ultimately reduce the cost to customers.

“After an extensive amount of system fine-tuning, we have achieved the collection of 5-minute operational data at 15-minute intervals with a 99.5% success rate,” O’Neill explains.

“This milestone will enable our LV network visibility strategy, as we continue to build towards a network transformation distribution system operator (DSO) model.”

The network-wide five-minute data deployment has stemmed from the completion of an advanced smart meter data collection project on the WEL smart meter fleet. The project involved new system installations, headend upgrade, meter profile development and a new data collection system.

“We are able to now build products from the five-minute data which also provides greater visibility of what’s happening on our network, while improving safety, network management and quality of service,” says O’Neill, adding it enables WEL to manage growth in the network in a more effective and efficient manner.

“By implementing this change from 30 minute to five-minute data, we’re positioning ourselves to take opportunities of the network of the future which will enable us to continue to power our communities; address energy hardship, and provide a strong, safe, efficient and reliable supply of electricity for the benefit of our customers.”

WEL Networks was one of the first network companies in New Zealand to install network-owned smart meters 10 years ago.