Meter Upgrade Project

September, 2018–Septem

METER UPGRADE PROJECT

CREATING

MEMBER VALUE

Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc. | [email protected] | www.beartoothelectric.com | 406.446.2310

METER
UPGRADE PROJECT

Beartooth Electric Cooperative is deploying a new, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) including new TWACS (two-way
automated communication system) digital meters to improve the efficiency and reliability of our electric system. The Turtle
power-line carrier system (automated meter reader (AMR) system) currently in place is obsolete technology and soon will
no longer be supported. We are excited to share with you this new system installation and the numerous benefits it will
bring. We thank you for your patience while we make these system upgrades.

OPERATIONS EFFICIENCY ENERGY
INFORMATION
The new system will help us operate more efficiently
which translates into avoided operating costs that Members will have a lot more information at their
will impact future rates. Many of the daily functions disposal regarding realtime and historical energy usage
that required a trip to your location can be performed and patterns on the system through the SmartHub
from the main office. This translates into lower labor app. Net Metering customers will be able to see more
and fleet costs. information regarding their daily generation output and
input from BEC.

The new system will pinpoint the RE
exact location of outages faster,
meaning a more timely response and

SYSTEMimproved electric service reliability.

THE MANY ADVANTAGES OF

SmartHub offers real-time billing METER INSTALLATIONS HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN
information that allows you to easily Installations will take place beginning MY METER HAS BEEN
manage your account 24/7 from CHANGED?
personal computers, smartphones and tablets. in late-summer 2018 through 2019
Features include: by Beartooth Electric Linemen. To The meter technician will knock
comply with the Wyoming PSC on your door to announce their
Bill & Pay—Quickly view your current account meter testing schedule, the Belfry intention prior to disconnecting
balance and due date, manage recurring substation will be the first of BEC’s power.
payments and modify payment methods. ten substations to be upgraded with
You can also view bill history including PDF the AMI system and members with You will receive a door-hanger
versions of paper bills directly on your mobile TWACS digital meters. message explaining the process.
device.
Prior to your meter upgrade, You will lose electrical service
My Usage—View energy usage graphs to Beartooth Electric will notify you with during the installation but only for
identify usage trends. With access to real-time a phone call. We will work with you a few minutes. You will need to
and historical data, you are empowered to to minimize any inconvenience. You reset electronic clocks and other
make changes that help manage your energy do not have to be present during the devices.
usage and ultimately lower your energy bill. meter change.

Contact Us—Easily contact your cooperative
by email or phone. You can also submit one of
the many predefined messages, with the ability
to include pictures and GPS coordinates.

Enroll in SmartHub today on the Beartooth
Electric website—just click on the Bill Pay
button or download the NISC® SmartHub app
for Android or iOS devices from your app store.

ELIABILITYOWNEDBYTHOSE
WE SERVE!

SOME FACTS
A few Members have asked how these new digital meters work. The following
are answers to the most commonly asked questions we received.

Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc. Why are we changing to the digital meters? Will the Cooperative be continually
PO Box 1110 The Turtle meter technology is obsolete—parts monitoring my usage around the clock?
Red Lodge, MT 59068 were discontinued in 2014 and support is near The Co-op’s digital interaction with its
conclusion. members stops at the meter and goes no
Beartooth Member What’s the difference between the new further. The new metering system provides
PO Box 1234 meters and the old meters? two-way communication between the Co-
Red Lodge, MT 59068 It is important to note that the new meter opand the member. The Co-op will be able
records exactly the same as the existing meter, to communicate with the new meters to read
utilizing the Co-op’s existing wires with power energy (kwhs) and demand (kW) as it has in
line carrier technology as has been the case the past but will also be able to perform other
since 1995. Beartooth Electric will continue queries when required; i.e. voltage readings,
to record your energy use with kilowatt hours power outages and restoration, etc. Usage
(kWhs) and add a new piece of information, information with the new system will be
highest demand (KW) on our electric system recorded hourly rather than daily. Consequently,
during the billing period. The new meters will more usage information will be available both
continue to display the meter reading, but it will to the member through their SmartHub weblink
be in a digital LED format. and the Co-op to provide you improved service.
How does my new digital meter work? Will I be billed on the same rate as I have been
With these new meters, Beartooth Electric can in the past?
read the meter remotely from the office as we Yes, Members will continue to be billed the
have been doing since 1995. Information from same rate as they have in the past.
the meter is securely transmitted back to the What if my bill reports more kWh usage than
Co-op through the power lines exactly like the normal or I think my meter is not working
current Turtle system, just faster and providing correctly?
more energy information. Contact our Co-op office right away to discuss
Will the new meter notify the co-op when the your billing concerns. The new digital meters
power goes out? are more accurate than the analog Turtle
The meters will be able to record outages meters being replaced and they are pre-tested
allowing the cooperative to verify whether and are guaranteed to have an accuracy of +/-
the outage is either on the Member’s side of 0.5% accuracy.
the meter or the Co-op’s. If you experience an How secure are the new meters?
outage, it always is best to call us 406-446-2310 The meter display is visible for Members to be
or 800-472-9821. able to check their energy consumption. All
What information does the new meter record? other information and data stored in the meter is
The new meter records kWh reading, the date secure and the meter is sealed.
and time of energy usage, the overall peak Can the Cooperative disconnect electric
demand of the electric account and the number service using the new meters?
of times the meter has experienced a loss of Some meters will have remote disconnect/
power for any reason. The meter will record the reconnect capabilities depending on a
date and time of power blinks and the length of member’s account status or participation in
the power outage. programs such as Pre-Paid Metering (future
offering).