Transcript A Look at Our Customer Base

Consumers Energy Company
(CECo) the principal subsidiary of
CMS Energy values Accreditation
CECo is the 4th largest investor owned
dual energy utility in the United States
• We sell electricity
• We sell natural gas
Advantages of Accreditation
• Personnel utilize best practices for
minimizing risk associated with measurement
uncertainty.
• Personnel are accustomed to being audited
and cross examined.
• Data is defensible because standards adhere
to multi-lateral recognition agreements.
Product Assessment
Laboratory Services (LS) is an A2LA accredited
calibration laboratory. Its personnel assisted
the Metering Technology Center’s (MTC)
technical staff with their product testing. CMS
Energy’s Smart Grid (SG) Testing Laboratory
helped to accelerate acceptance and
deployment of new products.
SG is enhanced because information is
communicated back to the office
Generation
Markets
Transmission
Substation
Distribution
Consumer
Metrology
Information & Communication Enabled Power Infrastructure
1
EPRI values a SG with AMI
The Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI)
analysis found that a lack of metrology often
contributes to blackouts. EPRI continues to be
heavily involved in advocating a SG that
promotes an Advanced Metering Infrastructure
(AMI) that is envisioned to some day heal itself
against disturbances.
EPRI Video
How smart grid heals itself.
http://www.whatissmartgrid.org/smart-grid-101/videos
EPRI’s vision of a Smart Grid
Secured by AMI
Electric Testing Laboratory
Lab verified vendors’ advertised claims against
C12 American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) specification standards. In preparation
for testing, LS upgraded its AC kilowatt-hour
meter test equipment and claim to be the 1st
laboratory in the United States accredited to
calibrate electrical energy standards.
Standards Work Stations Utilize
Radian Research equipment
• Reference
• Working
Gas Testing Laboratory
Lab verified vendors’ advertised claims against
ANSI B109 specification standards. LS
anticipates further expanding its scope of
A2LA accreditation to be able to calibrate gas
energy standards.
Temperature Work Stations
Utilize Thermotron Equipment
High Voltage Work Stations
Utilize EMC Equipment
Dynamic Disturbances
Transient Disturbances
Product Field Testing
Outdoor Weathering
Lessons Learned
• Project was so unique that Architects,
Engineers, and Consultants’ conflicting
interests cause project creep in schedule and
budget.
• Capital dollars can not be used to perform
alterations on existing facilities.
Suggestions
• Request a demonstration of test equipment
prior to purchase and budget time to verify
functionality against advertised
specifications.
• Visit other facilities that perform similar
testing to learn valuable lessons.
Conclusion
Workforce synergies were gained and
capital dollars were controlled to assure
stockholders investments were made
wisely. It is our hope that what we shared
was beneficial to you and your future
energy and environmental procurements.