As a result of its Smart Metering team’s preparation and vendor engagement strategy, Waterloo North Hydro has completed System Integration Testing (SIT) ahead of schedule and has moved forward with Qualification Testing (QT).

The Smart Metering Entity (SME) allots 10 days for SIT, which tests LDC system information exchanges with the MDM/R to ensure an LDC can fulfill each transaction required for the meter-to-bill process. Marianne Blasman, Waterloo North Hydro’s Vice President, Information Technology Services said the company’s Smart Metering Project team completed SIT in eight days by preparing many weeks in advance, attending SME training sessions and using IESO tools such as sample SIT scripts.

“We reviewed the materials regularly after training sessions and worked actively with our AMI operators and ODS and CIS vendors to identify, address and resolve potential issues to meet the SIT requirements,” said Blasman. “The advanced work and extensive preparation was invaluable in terms of allowing us to achieve successful execution of SIT without identifying any incidents.”

Waterloo North Hydro, which serves more than 50,000 customers, is now in the midst of QT and plans to begin enrolling smart meters in the MDM/R in November. QT is the final phase of enrolment testing and focuses on the MDM/R’s impact on business processes.

Visit the Smart Metering Lifecycle pages to learn about the activities involved in MDM/R enrolment.