The installation of a new meter system for Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) started in August, when new meters began to be installed as part of a pilot program of 178 meters in the area of the Iola substation. Once installed and operational, information from the meters can be transmitted to the CWEC office and downloaded. Residential meters can be read every hour, while commercial meters can be read every 15 minutes.
CWEC has contracted with Allegiant Utility Services to swap out the old meters with the new meters. When the technician from Allegiant arrives at a property to install the new meter, he will knock on the door of the residence to inform the resident he is there to install the new meter. He will also give the resident a door hanger notifying them that the new meter has been installed. The only disruption to power should be a “blink” when the old meter is switched to the new meter.
The start of this project is the culmination of work that began in May of 2021, when CWEC hired a company to help choose a new meter system for the co-op. The meter system being replaced was implemented in 2007 and has become obsolete. The co-op can no longer purchase meters for the system. The system also requires co-op personnel to manually read 900 meters each month. It takes the entire line department two full days to read all the meters. The new meter system uses radio frequency (RF), so data can be transmitted to our office electronically, thus saving many hours of labor for CWEC personnel.
In August 2021, a vendor was chosen to install the new AMI meter system. The chosen vendor fit the co-op’s needs for metering data and financial costs. This system was the least expensive of all the systems reviewed by the co-op, but the system has all the features that were requested. The CWEC Board of Directors approved the project at its October meeting in 2021.
Purchasing items for the new AMI system began in April 2022, but due to supply chain issues, there was a delay of 6-9 months in receiving the ordered equipment.
After the pilot program is operating smoothly, new meters will begin to be installed throughout the CWEC service territory.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office.