The SME is encouraging Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) to follow specific Meter Data Management and Repository (MDM/R) data submission guidelines to streamline related procedures and ensure their smart meter data is processed by the MDM/R efficiently and as scheduled. 

“Ontario’s MDM/R is a powerful hardware and software platform designed to process large quantities of electricity consumption data and works like most large-scale data management systems,” said Przemek Tomczak, Director, Smart Metering at the IESO. “The earlier the MDM/R gets the meter read data, the more time it will have to validate it for accuracy, process it and deliver it to LDCs.”

The guidelines recommend that LDCs send midnight-to-midnight blocks of 24-hour meter data. They also advise LDCs to begin submitting their meter read data as early in the midnight to 5 a.m. window as possible – and for larger LDCs to break their data into blocks submitted every 30 or 60 minutes. In addition, if an LDC sends its data before 5 a.m., it will be available to them for their morning follow-up work.

Tomczak said the guidelines are based on extensive MDM/R simulations and testing with LDCs, and help ensure that the MDM/R processes data more efficiently and cost-effectively.

“Our work with LDCs has demonstrated that the operational processes we have established will make sure the MDM/R supports Ontario through 2011 and beyond,” said Tomczak.

He added that LDCs play a significant role in maximizing the MDM/R’s performance.

“By 2011, there will be close to 80 LDCs with smart meters in the MDM/R – which is much more than the 11 connected with it now – so we are working with them to ensure the system supports them effectively when they are all online,” said Tomczak.