Design and operating experience of a remote load profiling, meter reading, collection and forwarding system for large customers

The authors describe the joint experience of Yorkshire Electricity and manufacturer Polymeters Response International Limited in designing, developing and operating a remote data collection system. The Pooling and Settlements system was implemented by the Department of Energy as part of the privatisation process. They also deal with the problems facing the industry in terms of new technology, breaking into new areas of metering. This project incorporated a considerable volume of software written in two different languages and used hardware from several different manufacturers, encompassing both metering and communications equipment also utilising software. A slightly fluid specification and a very short timescale were added complications The authors highlight some of the difficulties, and the solutions found through cooperation between the manufacturer and the Regional Electricity Company. The complex nature of software and its specification, and the fact that through its existence it brings about changes to its own specification, should be noted.<>