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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD.

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

Version

v01-02

Date

06th. Sep. 2017

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All rights reserved

1

Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD.

CONTENT 1.

Acronym and Abbreviation....................................................................................................................... 3

2.

Project Background.................................................................................................................................... 5

3.

Requirements Analysis.............................................................................................................................. 5

4.

CLOU AMI Solution Overview....................................................................................................................6 4.1.

AMI Solution Concept.................................................................................................................................. 6

4.2.

Solution Design Principle............................................................................................................................. 6

4.3.

Solution Overall Architecture...................................................................................................................... 7

4.4.

Solution Components.................................................................................................................................. 8

5.

Communication Network Design........................................................................................................... 14 5.1.

Local Communication................................................................................................................................ 14

5.2.

Field Area Network Design........................................................................................................................14

5.3.

FAN Technology Analysis........................................................................................................................... 14

6.

CLOU AMI System Security Design.........................................................................................................17 6.1.

Meter Security Design............................................................................................................................... 17

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD.

1. Acronym and Abbreviation Terms and definitions used in this specification shall have similar and/or corresponding meanings as indicated.

Abbreviation

Description

AMI

Advanced Metering Infrastructure

AMR

Automatic Meter Reading

APN

Access Point Name

AR

Access Router

Concentrator

The device that aggregate meter traffic of the neighborhood area network and exchange data with DCP Server

CIM

Common Information Model

CIS

Customer Information System

COSEM

Companion Specification for Energy Metering

CRM

Customer Relationship Management

CT

Current Transformer

DC

Data Center

DCP

Data Collection Platform

DCU

Data Concentrator Unit

DISCO

Distribution Company

DLMS

Device Language Message Specification

DR

Disaster Recovery

DT

Distribution Transformer

E2E

End to End

FAN

Field Area Network

FIT

Failures In Time

FMEA

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service

GSM

Global System for Mobile Communications

HES

Head End System

HHU

Hand Held Unit

LAN

Local Area Network

MDM

Meter Data Management

MTBF

Mean Time Between Failures

NAN

Neighborhood Area Network

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. OBIS

Object Identification System

OFDM

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

O&M

Operation & Maintenance

PIC

Person in Charge

PLC

Power Line Carrier

PON

Passive Optical Network

RBAC

Role-Based Access Control

SMS

Short Messaging Service

SOA

Service-Oriented Architecture

SOC

Statement of Compliance

TOU

Time of Use

UMS

Unified Management System

VPN

Virtual Private Network

WAN

Wide Area Network

XML

Extensible Markup Language

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD.

2. Project Background CLOU currently provides AMI solution to manage service delivery for its customers. In order to enhance service delivery to our customers and benefit on the additional features, such as bidirectional communication, load management, remote reading/setting and net metering, CLOU wishes to implement a smart metering project to assess its viability. Recognized worldwide as a leading AMI solutions supplier, CLOU proposes an advanced and cost-effective AMI solution, to work closely with customer and better understand and tailor the best-of-breed AMI solution based on thorough understanding and analysis of the grid's environment. CLOU has a long track record within the energy industry and is recognized worldwide for its ability to deliver future-proof evolutionary products and solutions maintaining high service quality and business efficiency while achieving the highest customer satisfaction. The implementation of this AMI system, as one of the strategic actions, will serve to optimize the electricity service quality, protect revenue, enhance operation and management efficiency, and help to meet the challenge of supply-and-demand gap.

3. Requirements Analysis This document includes supply of smart meters of the required capacity for all tariff categories on the selected feeders including installation of all the required infrastructure of all the assets on the feeder (an End to End solution) and maintains the system for the required pilot period. The proposed smart meters shall have the following features: a.

Automated Meter reading;

b.

Scheduled meter reading of profile data and event log;

c.

Remote connect and disconnect;

d.

Alarms/Alerts to the consumer and system;

e.

Remotely configurable tariff and pricing;

f.

Pricing scheme with multi tariff structure;

g.

Power limits/Energy limits;

h.

Pre-pay/Postpaid configuration compatible controlled by the system;

i.

Remote energy unit recharging facility for pre-payment mode;

j.

The meters communicate over DLMS/COSEM.

k.

Line loss, electricity stealing analysis, upgrading

The supplied smart metering system shall be able to operate with a variety of meters from different manufacturers.

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD.

4. CLOU AMI Solution Overview 4.1.

AMI Solution Concept

Smart metering system is the system which measures, collects, and analyzes energy usage, and communicates with metering devices such as electricity meters, either on demand or scheduled. It is also known as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). The AMI system includes terminals, hardware, software, communications equipment, consumer energy displays and controllers, customer associated systems, and supplier business systems. The communication network between the measurement devices and the business systems allows collection and distribution of information to customers, suppliers, utility companies, and service providers. This enables these businesses to participate in demand response services. Consumers can use information provided by the system to change their normal consumption patterns to take advantage of lower prices. Pricing can be used to curb growth of peak consumption. CLOU AMI solution supports two-way flow of both information and energy. This differs from traditional Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) in that it enables bidirectional communications with meters. The AMR system is only capable of reading meters which doesn’t qualify as AMI system that has management and command issuance abilities.

4.2.

Solution Design Principle

4.2.1.

Reliability

The whole system is designed to meet the following requirements for reliability: 

Production with long lifespan design



E2E system level reliability design



Impose tough operating environment requirements



Strong environmental adaptability

4.2.2.

Interoperability

The whole system is designed to meet the following requirements for openness: 

Comply with international standard communication protocols



Support operation with a variety of smart meters from different suppliers



Allow future capacity expansion



Use the devices of popular communication and electricity automation suppliers to ensure continual technical support and reliable service



Avoid using devices without proven track record or devices manufactured by small-sized suppliers

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4.2.3.

Security

The solution design will take full consideration of E2E security guarantee, including but not limited to physical security, communication security, information security, grid security, security management as well as other security considerations.

4.2.4.

Cost-effective

The design will take the cost and performance into consideration and have the highest competitive price-to-performance ratio system under the same conditions.

4.3.

Solution Overall Architecture

CLOU design overall solution architecture as shown in following diagram.

Figure 1-1 AMI Solution Architecture The E2E AMI solution architecture is established with at least the following main components: 1.

Business Application Systems: Located in the data center including but not limited to MDM, BIS, and Billing systems. Business application systems are necessary for complete system service and operation, achieving complete system functions.

2.

Head End System: Metering data collection and management platform, multiple Head End Systems can be deployed according to the service regions or distribution companies. Also the corresponding disaster recovery system can be required to maintain system availability. The system includes hardware and software.

3.

Wide Area Network: Communication based on public operator network, including GPRS/3G, Ethernet. The network will include SIM card for wireless operators, fixed network access. The ratio of each connection will be based on actual scenario.

4.

Field Area Network: Data concentrator will be provided for communication between meters and the HES. Communication technologies will include at least PLC, RF and GPRS/3G.

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Smart Meter: Different type for different application scenarios, such as residential, commercial, industrial, transformer, street light, middle voltage and so on. CLOU will also provide the corresponding meter enclosures.

According to the requirements, smart meters from multiple manufacturers are supported by the AMI system. All meters comply with DLMS/COSEM protocol and follow unified OBIS definition to integrate with the Head End System. In addition, CLOU provides E2E system security and reliability design. For the AMI system communication and IT infrastructure will be key factors. CLOU will provide leading ICT products and solutions matching the actual situation, such as advanced G3-PLC technology, CLOU data platform, business application systems, token security management and other system components. The introduction of each component is provided in following chapters.

4.4.

Solution Components

4.4.1.

Business Application Systems

The purpose of the Business Application Systems is to provide utility company and its business users with a set of software and hardware Infrastructure, standards, guidelines, models, services and processes in delivering an environment that is robust, scalable and reliable in delivering current and future smart metering service requirements in an agile manner through exposing re-usable services. Business Application Systems provide end-to-end solution to power companies, which is able to improve its metering operation efficiency, accelerate meter data to cash process, reduce loss and ensure revenue.

4.4.2.

Head End System

CLOU Energy Platform Head End System (Clou-ESP) is a smart metering device integration platform that supports multiple device suppliers and smart metering device (Electricity/Water/Gas/Heat Meter) integration in compliance with international standards and protocols. With more than 15 years of industrial experience, CLOU has been dedicated to develop Clou-ESP HES with open system integration standards to provide communications and data services for MDM, Billing, CIS and Mobile Apps. Our products are utilized in Europe, America, Africa and Asia markets that has fulfilled integration of over 10 millions of meters, 20 metering device suppliers, 60 kinds of meters, 30 kinds of DCUs and 20 sets of systems. Clou-ESP HES Advantages 

Universality: Integrates multi-supplier devices and international/regional standards and protocols ensuring metering data interoperable between multiple systems.



Openness: Provides a secondary development platform with opening APIs. Not only provides customized device adapters for any device into Clou-ESP HES, but also allows third-party developers to extend system functionalities.



High Security: Provides all-round security guarantees including key lifecycle management, firewalls against network attacks, encryption of data communication, identity authentication for device & system access as well as traceable audit logs.



High Performance: Provides capabilities to integrate 10 millions of meters based on a distributed

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. deployment framework, capabilities of device concurrent communication mode, data concurrent access and real-time computing framework. 

High Availability: Provides 99.99% uninterrupted operation services, 100% collection integrity rate of data points and perfect data disaster backup solutions.



Intelligence: High efficiency and low cost wins of device grouping & template management, device batch operation & configuration, data breakpoint resume, missing data self-repairing, one-click meter provisioning workflow, load balance and hot-standby system.

Clou-ESP HES Key Features Clou-ESP HES provides metering data for MDM, Billing and other data application systems; reliable data services for advanced data such as line loss, billing settlement, electricity tamper analysis and load forecasting; on-demand remote command services to make on-demand reads, remote meter management possible. It offers you the main features as below. Topic System Integration

Description A unified system integration platform provides unified APIs for CIS, MDM, PPS and other AMI systems in compliance with IEC 61968. Supports IEC, ANSI and IDIS standards, and integratable with multi-supplier meters in compliance with these specifications. Supports various communication

Device Integration

solutions like G3-PLC/RF/ GPRS/3G. Provides a secondary development platform to adapt to metering devices with user-defined protocols in different regions or projects. 24-hour scheduled tasks to collect all history data, meter events and meter

Data Collection

alarms which are stored in the storage system. Supports user-defined data collection type and storage cycle.

Meter Data Report

Provides metering data reports including kWh+, kWh-, kVarh+, kVarh-, kW+, kW-,

Event Data Report

V, A, Maximum Demand Data, Power Quality Data, Event Data, etc. Provides all-round meter history data collection reports including Data Reads

Schedule Reads Report

Integrity, Meter Reads Integrity Ratio and Daily/Monthly Meter Reads Integrity compared by manufacturer, model and communication type. Provides detailed reports of missing data to help users tracing problems to

Miss Data Tracing

data-missing meter, missing time period, type of missing data, missing cause and communication mode. Enables users to define parameter rules for different meter groups, configure

Meter Group Mgmt

meter groups with specific TOU/Limiter/Measurement Profile schemes to maximize work efficiency.

Meter Configuration Firmware Mgmt & Upgrade Time Synchronization On Demand Reads

Enables users to configure meter parameters (TOU/Limit/Measurement Profile…) and remotely pushes configuration information to meters on site by WEB. Manages manufacturer, model, software and hardware version of metering devices, including remote reading and remote batch firmware upgrade by WEB. Time synchronization among system severs, and between HES and devices by manual or on schedule to realize regular full-automatic synchronization. Supports on demand reads of meters and configuration of data channels which usually consist of kWh+, kWh-, kVarh+, kVarh-, V, A, etc.

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. Connect/Disconnect

Supports remote meter connect/disconnect on HES UI or initiated by third party system via API calls. Provides detailed logs, including user operation log, user login log, system service

Log System

start-stop log, data modify log, data communication log, schedule operation log and security audit log.

4.4.3.

Data Concentrator Unit (DCU)

The CL752C1 DCU is used to collect metering data from smart meters and transfer such data to the Head End system. CLOU provide DCU product which is designed as gateway for smart metering services. DCU provides plug and play communication modules for different application scenarios. To ensure metering data security, data concentrators provide strong security features listed as follows: 

For data communication based on private network such as PLC or RF, it provides AES-128 encryption.



For data communication based on public network such as GPRS or Ethernet, DCU supports stronger encryption algorithms for communication protection.

Some highlights of CLOU data concentrator: 

Automatic register and management of meters;



Open communication interface and standard for easy integration with multiple meter vendors;



Multiple types of uplink and downlink communication interfaces adapt to various scenarios;

Figure 1-2 Appearance of CL752C1

4.4.4.

Communication Modules

Multiple types of plug and play communication modules such as PLC, RF and GPRS modules are supported with the proposed smart meters. According to price schedule, the following communication modules are proposed:

Table 1-1 Communication module types and quantities No.

Type

Scenarios

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

Specification 10

Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. No.

Type

1

PLC

2 3 4

Scenarios

Specification

High density area, urban, tall

G3-PLC, OFDM.

buildings

CENELEC-A and FCC are supported.

RF

Low density area, Villa distinct

ISM frequency

GPRS/3G

Dispersed or isolated meter

Based on operator network

High/low density area

FSK-PLC and RF

PLC+RF hybrid

The exact quantity and type of communication modules will be decided based on site survey result.

4.4.5.

Smart Meter

The CL710K22/ CL730S22/ CL730D22L smart energy meter are the latest developed products in CLOU's meter series. Certificated with MID and DLMS/COSEM, it provides an excellent and reliability accuracy and performance. The meter is equipped with a plug-and-play communication module such as PLC/RF/GPRS/3G for AMI integration, so all the operations can be done remotely from the central server, including meter billing/configuration/credit purchase/alarm events upload etc. The meter supports exchangeable payment between prepayment and post payment, and it keeps records of different tampers which can be configured to switch off the load supply when the tamper occurs.

Table 1-2 CLOU smart meter types No.

Model

Connection

Class

Type

Customers

1

CL710K22

1P2W DC

1.0

230V, 5(100)A

Residential consumer

2

CL730S22

3P4W DC

1.0

3*230V, 5(100)A

3

CL730D22L

3P4W CT

0.5S

3*230V, 1(10)A

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

Residential and commercial consumer Commercial and industrial consumer

11

Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. Figure 1-3 Appearance of CL710K22, CL730S22 and CL730D22L

4.4.6.

Meter Functions

CLOU smart meters is an advanced bi-directional, 4-quadrant, multi-functional, static single phase revenue meter that is designed for residential and small commercial consumers. It contains the following main features. 

Active/Reactive/Apparent energy measurement



MD (maximum demand) measurement



Multi tariff (TOU/TOD, Tier)



Load profile record up to 32 channels



Programmable auto scroll / push-button display item



Tamper detection of cover open and magnet interference



Event log / Alarm / Event notification



RTC and calendar management



DLMS/COSEM compliant



Plug-and-play modularized design for PLC /RF/GPRS/3G communication



Optical / RS485 for local communication



Remote (dis-)connection



Remote firmware update



Data notification(Push)

The meters support online recharge remotely by the AMI system. If local recharging mode with manual token/credit input is required, a meter model with keypad input as optional is available to meet the requirement.

4.4.7.

Meter Enclosure

Many of existing meter enclosures are only designed for non-smart meters. The new smart meter is bigger than existing meter since it provides more functions such as latching relay, communication module, etc. Hence, many of existing meter enclosures are not suitable for new smart meters.

Figure 1-4 Examples of single phase meter enclosure CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. According to the requirements, multiple types of meter enclosures are provided for different application scenarios. It could be Single meter set, Double meter sets and Group meter sets of meters. The exact quantities and types of meter enclosures will be confirmed after the detailed site survey. For details about the enclosure design will be provided during the tender process.

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5. Communication Network Design Communication is an essential part of the AMI system. It is the main difference between smart meter and non-smart meter. All important functions, such as remote meter reading, disconnect / reconnection, tamper detection, online recharge, remote configuration and upgrade will depend on a reliable communication network. The smart meters support local (infrared) and remote communication (PLC, RF, GPRS, etc.). The DCUs has at least 2 ways of communication ports: downlink with meter (PLC, RF, etc.), uplink with HES (3G/4G, Ethernet, FIBER, etc.). Detailed communication network design is as follows.

5.1.

Local Communication

All provided meters and DCU will have infrared port for local communication with HHU. According to tender requirements, the protocol will be IEC62056-21. In addition, all meters will provide a serial port (RS485, RS232 or RJ45) based on DLMS protocol. This also can be used for local or remote communication.

5.2.

Field Area Network Design

A reliable bidirectional communication between meters and HES is an essential part of the AMI system. Therefore, FAN (Field Area Network) design is one of the most important factors for the success of the AMI solution. The FAN is the communication for meters, and the technologies include PLC (power line carrier), RF, GPRS/3G and so on.

5.3.

FAN Technology Analysis

The FAN communication methods mainly include PLC, RF, and GPRS/3G.

Table 1-3 Comparison of FAN communication technologies Items

PLC

RF

GPRS/3G

Communication coverage

In transformer power supply area

Cross transformer, limited by power

In BTS coverage area

Spectrum resource

Dedicated in power line

Dedicated

According to telecom operator

Security

Private network

Public frequency

Public network

Line construction at installation

No need, based on existing power line

Need network planning

Built by telecom operator

Operation cost

NA

NA

Need monthly data package

Signal coverage

100% coverage

Signal is easy to be covered

According to operator network and scenario

Application scenario

Most of application scenarios

Low density area, no signal shielding

Area of good Cellular signal coverage

RF is a low power wireless technology with mesh networking, which can support self-routing and self-healing. RF

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. communication needs available frequency and license. If RF use public ISM frequency, it is easy to be interfered by other wireless applications, and also faces some security issues. On the other hand, smart meters might be installed in basements or within a sealed enclosure, which might cause problems for signal coverage. GPRS is widely used in mobile phone communication. But for FAN communication, issues like signal coverage, operation cost, network access capability and other factors should be considered. GPRS communication is usually used for large customers and transformer meters. PLC modulates information into high-frequency signals and impresses these signals on power lines for transmission. Low-voltage power line networks have wide coverage, "zero" line costs, and unified power and communication medium. Therefore, PLC technology is the optimal communication and networking mode for field area network.

Figure 1-5 Examples of CLOU AMI communication network

5.3.1.

Power Line Situation Analysis

The low-voltage power line is not exclusively used to transmit communication data; its topology and physical attributes are different from conventional communication transmission media, such as twisted pairs, and optical fibers. In case high-speed data is transmitted in the power channel with the existing power frequency electric signals, the working environment becomes worse, noise causes serious interference, and there exists large time variations. In addition, signals can easily cause problems such as reflection, standing waves, and hence, the attenuation of power line signals at different frequency bands is considerably different than conventional communication transmission media. As well as the existence of less control on the power grid, noise generated by electrical devices affect the channel environment and the power quality is not fully ensured. To achieve reliable meter reading of power lines distribution companies must ensure that the following key problems can be solved: 

The distribution transformer can block PLC signals.



The PLC signal loss is different when signals are transmitted between the live wire and ground cable and between the live wire and neutral wire.



Power lines have strong pulse interference.

CLOU AMI Solution Technical Architecture Overview

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Shenzhen CLOU Electronics CO., LTD. 

Background noises cause serious interference and are variable.



There is a high attenuation when carrier signals are transmitted over power lines.



Power lines can distort effective signals.

Technology Openness CLOU G3-PLC will be provided to the meter manufacturers and factories compliant with PLC technology, including, but not limited to G3. CLOU wishes to build strong industry alliances with all local manufacturers. CLOU is able to survey in utilizing 2 typical scenarios: Residential areas and Industrial areas.

5.3.2.

Radio Frequency Communication

RF communication needs available frequency band and licensing to start with. CLOU recommends applying for a dedicated RF frequency, since this will provide more security and reliability. CLOU RF Technology supports RF Mesh with IPv6 network management.

5.3.3.

Networking Design for Typical Scenario

For different meter types and scenarios, CLOU will choose the most suitable communication technology for networking according to the detailed site survey from the below options: 

PLC communication networking



RF communication networking



GPRS communication networking

In some scenarios, there could be multiple communication technologies in one network. For scenario of LV CT connected meters are installed dispersedly and far from other meters. CLOU recommends using GPRS/3G, which would enable the meter to communicate with the HES directly.

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6. CLOU AMI System Security Design The overall architecture design of CLOU AMI system security solution follows business driven principles. A modularized and layered design approach is adopted to realize a flexible and loose coupling between the system infrastructure modules and the service modules, enabling service expansion and future evolution. The security design improves network reliability, enhances network operation and management, and provides comprehensive protection against cyber security threats. The security architecture of CLOU AMI system security is shown in the following figure.

Figure 1-6 AMI System Security Architecture The security design is focused on the following aspects: 

Ensuring high efficient and secure operation of the AMI system;



Unified access security mechanisms;



Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the communication;

CLOU AMI system security solution provides comprehensive security protection including communication security, terminal security and management security.

6.1.

Meter Security Design

As shown in the following figure, multiple levels of anti-tampering measures are supported.

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Figure 1-7 Multi-level Anti-theft Mechanisms

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