Better control of power consumption with Meter to Cash

Using Tieto’s Meter to Cash concept along with support for data collection, Elverket Vallentuna can now measure and bill for actual monthly power usage. “The system has already produced many benefits, both for us and the customers,” says Elisabet Falemo, grid manager at Elverket.

Tieto’s solution has provided Elverket Vallentuna – the electrical power company for Vallentuna municipality in Stockholm – with more efficient processes, customer-friendly solutions and a serious head start over many other power companies. Customers now pay for the electricity they actually use, rather than an anticipated annual consumption. Since mid-2009 this process is mandatory by Swedish law, but Elverket Vallentuna was then already on the right track..

Elisabet Falemo is very pleased with how the internal process has been streamlined.
“The amount of data we deal with every day is rocketing, especially since energy supply has been deregulated. All kinds of different data has to be sent out, processed and reported to various organisations and authorities. The entire process runs far more smoothly now, thanks to Tieto’s solutions.”

Data handled once

Meter to Cash is based on a solution whereby data only has to be handled a single time at a single location. All information is then automatically transferred to the applications that need it. Improved control over power distribution and the customer register also makes it easier for Elverket Vallentuna to assess the need for reinforcement in the power grid to avoid overloading without over-investing.

For customers, the new system entails better control of power consumption. The monthly notification means they can react immediately if there is an error or they wish to cut down on their energy use.

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(Updated since original release)

Company profile
Elverket Vallentuna AB supplies electrical energy, related servicing and other grid-related services to the people of Vallentuna municipality. Energy operations comprise a grid-based section with sole rights to transporting electrical energy to consumers in the municipality, and a power trading company that since 1996 has been operating on a deregulated market open to competition. There are around 13,100 customers on the power grid.

Challenge
A new law was introduced in Sweden 2009 which stipulates that electricity consumption must be read based on actual rather than anticipated use. Meters must be read at least once a month.

This will entail a dramatic increase in the amount of collected energy data that will need to be stored and processed efficiently.

Solution
Meter to Cash, developed by Tieto, entails efficient handling of energy data. The system concept consists of three parts:

EDM (Energy Data Management):
Stores and processes energy data in a central database.
ComC (Communication Centre):
Links internal and external systems for data exchange. A change of data in one system entails an update in all connected systems.
CIS (Customer Information System):
The customer database and billing system.

Value gained
Customers enjoy more accurate information on their power consumption and can adjust their energy use accordingly. Elverket Vallentuna has an automated process from collection of energy data to billing.

This reduces costs for information management and reduces grid losses, while also making it possible to calculate the need for future grid reinforcement.

Quote
“It’s certainly done us no harm to show that we’re a forward-thinking company that’s on the ball.”
Elisabet Falemo, grid manager, Elverket Vallentuna