Massachusetts public power utility Reading Municipal Light Department and Tantalus Systems, a smart grid technology company, recently announced their partnership to implement the RMLD Advanced Metering Infrastructure replacement program beginning in 2025.
“Accelerating grid modernization through AMI further equips RMLD to bring customers reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy,” RMLD said.
AMI is a fixed-network metering system that enables increased communication to RMLD meters throughout the network.
"This pivotal technology will transform RMLD’s meter infrastructure into a forward-looking, multi-directional grid," RMLD said.
The new RMLD AMI will leverage the Tantalus Grid Modernization Platform™ (TGMP™) to improve resiliency, reliability, and efficiency in a secure and affordable manner, the utility said.
TGMP's smart grid architecture will allow RMLD to integrate connected devices, communications networks, grid data management, applications, and analytics into its operations and services.
"This comprehensive approach will provide greater levels of visibility and control across the entire grid. Real-time data from TGMP will be a key tool for RMLD customers as they look to manage their usage and explore ways to save on energy bills," RMLD said.
"We are excited to collaborate with Tantalus Systems to accelerate the modernization of our distribution grid,” said Gregory Phipps, General Manager of RMLD. “This partnership represents another significant step forward as we continue to provide reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy to our customers. By harnessing the power of data, we aim to enhance customer satisfaction while adapting to a more dynamic energy market."
Leveraging the Tantalus system, the AMI upgrades will allow RMLD to fully automate the integration of grid data across devices and systems. This enhanced automation will help RMLD improve power quality, proactively manage outages, and expand demand response efforts.
"RMLD has intentionally planned the new AMI implementation as the current meter system nears its end of life to ensure that RMLD continues its record of reliability, and to be more cost-effective in the long term," the utility said.
The AMI meter replacement of all current RMLD residential meters will begin in the summer of 2025 and continue through 2026.
