Abstract: An electric meter that is configured to regenerate meter state data after a power loss includes a memory with at least one volatile and non-volatile memory device and a processor connected to the memory. The processor is configured to retrieve a backup copy of meter state data and a plurality of meter input data samples that were generated after the backup copy of the meter state data and prior to the power loss from a nonvolatile memory device. The processor is configured to regenerate meter state data by updating the backup copy of meter state data with the plurality of meter input data samples to regenerate the meter state data at the time of a final meter input data sample prior to the power loss.

Abstract: A utility meter includes a real-time clock (RTC), a supercapacitor, a power supply, and a set of photodiodes. The RTC keeps time utilized for time stamps applicable to events that occur during alternating current (AC) power outages of the utility meter, and the supercapacitor powers the RTC. The power supply operates in an active mode responsive to an AC line voltage meeting a threshold and, when in the active mode, charges the supercapacitor to power the RTC. The set of photodiodes absorbs energy from ambient light and charges the supercapacitor to power the RTC. Thus, the supercapacitor is configured to be charged based on the power supply and based on the set of photodiodes.

Abstract: A switching system for an electricity meter, an electricity meter with a switch system and a method of switching switch are provided. In order to improve lifetime of the switch the timing of outputting a switching signal is adjusted based on a time difference between previously outputting the switching signal and achieving a predefined switching state.

Abstract: A system may include a device including a sensor configured to measure a parameter of a resource distributed along a distribution line of the resource distribution system and one or more validation devices. Each validation device includes a sensor configured to measure the parameter of the resource distributed along the distribution line or a related parameter. When the device detects that the parameter is out-of-range condition, it sends a query to the validation devices requesting information on the parameter or the related parameter. When the information regarding the parameter or related parameter also indicates an out-of-range condition, then the system validates the out-of-range condition. After validating the condition, the system may control a resource regulation device to adjust the parameter.

Abstract: A method identifies a duration of power interruptions in an electrical monitoring system. The method includes receiving, with an external monitoring system, a load profile from an electric meter that includes at least one of an accumulated frequency measurement and an accumulated number of zero crossing events that the electric meter records in an AC power signal during a predetermined monitoring period, and identifying a total duration of at least one power interruption during the predetermined monitoring period based on at least one of a deviation of the accumulated frequency measurement in the load profile from a predetermined accumulated frequency value or a deviation of the accumulated number of zero crossing events in the load profile from a predetermined number of zero crossing events during the predetermined monitoring period.

Abstract: A method includes a joining node, not yet joined to a network, listening to a second node that is joined to the network. The joining node may determine a join time at which to request to join the network. The joining node may receive from the second node a beacon indicating time synchronization of the network and further including a first congestion variable indicating a level of congestion of the network. The joining node may adjust the join time based on the first congestion variable in the beacon. At the join time, the joining node may transmit an association request to join the network.

Abstract: A utility meter has a multiprocessor architecture including (i) a microprocessing unit (MPU) for executing multiple software applications and (ii) another processing unit for performing core metrology functions in real time. For instance, the utility meter includes a metrology engine, an MPU, and one or more metrology applications. The metrology engine measures consumption of a resource and generates consumption data based on the consumption of the resource. The metrology engine includes a metrology processor, a dedicated memory, and a real-time operating system run by the metrology processor to enable the metrology engine to run time-critical metrology functions in real time. The MPU is coupled to the metrology processor and includes one or more processor cores. The MPU runs the one or more metrology applications over a primary operating system of the MPU, and the one or more metrology applications utilize the consumption data.

Abstract: A method for generating charge for a service disconnect operation for an electric meter includes: charging a service disconnect capacitor for an electric meter to a voltage higher than a voltage provided by a power supply of the electric meter; monitoring the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor; receiving, by the electric meter, a service disconnect switch instruction signal; determining, based on the monitoring, whether the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds a specified voltage threshold value; and in response to receiving the service disconnect switch instruction signal and determining that the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds the specified voltage threshold value, discharging the service disconnect capacitor through windings of a service disconnect actuator. The service disconnect actuator may be configured to cause contacts of a service disconnect switch to change position to make or break a circuit connection between a line voltage and a load.

Abstract: A system for discovering the topology and phase of an electrical power distribution system is provided. For example, a group of meters connected to an electrical power distribution system can process sensor data obtained at the meters and generate descriptors based on the processed data and transmit the descriptors to a headend system. The headend system can, after receiving the descriptors from the various meters in the system, group these meters to generate a grouping by applying clustering algorithms to the descriptors of these meters. The headend system can further compare the current grouping with past groupings to determine a confidence level of the current grouping and assign a segment identifier or a phase identifier or both to one or more of the meters based on the confidence level.

Abstract: An electric meter includes a housing, a first set of connection paths, and a second set of connection paths. The first set of connection paths couple to a meter socket and are electrically coupled to a first electrical connection path between first phases of an electric distribution power source, a distributed energy resource device, and a load. First electrical metrology components of the first electrical connection path are positioned within a first segment of the housing. The second set of connection paths couple to a meter socket and are electrically coupled to a second electrical connection path between second phases of the electric distribution power source, the distributed energy resource device, and the load. Second electrical metrology components of the second electrical connection path are positioned within a second segment of the housing that is non-overlapping with the first segment of the housing.

Abstract: An on-demand power service provides electrical vehicle charging. Requesting the on-demand power service may include determining a current location of a computing device, determining an amount of power requested by a user of the computing device, and locating a plurality of mobile charging stations within a predefined geographic distance from the current location of the computing device. The method further includes receiving a price associated with each respective mobile charging station among the plurality of mobile charging stations, and providing on a display of the computing device, selectable options to purchase on-demand power from a mobile charging station among the plurality of mobile charging stations.

Abstract: A method for electrical arc detection in an electrical connection between an electric meter and a socket is provided. The method may include receiving a vibration signal from a vibration sensor and an arc detection signal from an arc detector. The vibration signal may be correlated in time with the arc detection signal. An electrical arc may be detected based on the correlating the vibration signal with the arc detection signal.

Abstract: An integrated metering device allows a resource provider to control the output of a distributed generation device onto a resource distribution network or grid. The integrated metering device may include a communications module, a metrology module, an inverter and regulator device, and a transfer switch. A resource provider may communicate with the integrated metering device via the communications module and may control the inverter and regulator device or the transfer switch. The metrology module may monitor the energy provided by the distributed generation device to the grid and may send information about the generated energy to the resource provider via the communications module.

Abstract: Techniques for secure team-based communication on existing wireless mesh networks are disclosed. In an example, a first network node receives a network encryption key from a headend system. The first network node receives a sub-group encryption key that is unique to a sub-group of nodes, a sub-group identifier, and a sub-group node list that lists the sub-group of nodes associated with the sub-group identifier. The first network node generates an application layer message for a second node of the sub-group of nodes at an application layer. The first network node encrypts the application layer message using the sub-group encryption key. The first network node generates a team packet that is addressed to a selected node and includes the encrypted application layer message and the sub-group identifier. The first network node encrypts the team packet using the network encryption key and transmits the encrypted team packet to the selected node.

Abstract: A system for processing reading records collected from a resource distribution network and converting IEC reading type codes is provided. For example, a meter data management system obtains meter reading records that are collected from meter nodes deployed in a resource distribution network. Each of the meter nodes is configured to measure characteristics of resource consumption at a location associated with the meter node, and each of the meter reading records includes a reading value of the resource consumption and an IEC reading type code identifying a type of the reading value. The meter data management system processes the meter reading records by converting a reading record from its original IEC reading type code to a common IEC reading type code so that the multiple meter reading records can be aggregated to generate a load profile. Loads associated with the meter nodes can be adjusted based on the generated load file.

Abstract: A method for responding to a voice activated request includes receiving a speech input request from a smart speaker requesting energy management data associated with energy consumption at a premises of the smart speaker. The method also includes generating a voice service request including a first query for a first data source. The first query includes a request for the energy management data. Additionally, the method includes communicating the first query to the first data source and receiving a first response to the first query from the first data source. Further, the method includes generating an audible speech output in response to the speech input request based on the first response to the first query and transmitting the audible speech output to the smart speaker. The smart speaker audibly transmits the audible speech output.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly includes a first enclosure portion and a second enclosure portion which in a fully assembled state of the enclosure assembly enclose at least a part of an inner space for accommodating a metering device; and a fixation arrangement for affixing the first enclosure portion to the second enclosure portion in the fully assembled state, wherein the fixation arrangement in a fixation position prevents the first enclosure portion and the second enclosure portion from being separated from each other. The fixation arrangement includes at least one latching element arranged at the first enclosure portion and at least one counter latching element arranged at the second enclosure portion. In the fixation position, the at least one latching element is in engagement with the at least one counter latching element, and a blocking element prevents a disengagement of the at least one latching element and the at least one counter latching element.

Abstract: A utility meter assembly having a base that is secured to a front cover. The assembly includes a dual locking system having a first locking position and a second locking position. In the first locking position, the front cover is removably secured with the base. In the second locking position, the front cover is permanently secured with the base to prevent separation of the two components unless one or both components are destroyed.

Abstract: A meter collar includes a connection path to form an electrical connection between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter and line voltage wirings of an electric distribution system and a second connection path to form an electrical connection between the DER meter and neutral wires of the electric distribution system, a DER device, and a load. Further, the meter collar includes a third connection path within the meter collar to form an electrical connection between the DER meter and output voltage wirings of the DER device. Furthermore, the meter collar includes mating connectors electrically connected to a first end of a corresponding connection path to accept mating connectors of the DER meter. The meter collar also includes mating connectors electrically connected to a second end of the corresponding connection path to mate with the line voltage wirings, the neutral wires, and the output voltage wirings.

Abstract: Methods for verifying and updating connectivity information in a geographic information system may consider location information for meters and transformers and voltage data obtained by the meters. Meters that are incorrectly associated with a transformer may be flagged and candidate transformers may be evaluated to identify a correct association. The analysis may consider voltage data from multiple meters to determine correlation values. Correlation values or confidence factors may be used to identify a transformer for the correct association.