ATLANTA, Oct. 7, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The automated meter reading (AMR) industry continues its steady growth, but cost still prevents many utilities from deploying advanced systems that can provide daily reads throughout their services territories. Overall, about one-fourth of all AMR modules installed in North America are advanced fixed network technologies. Those are among the findings of The Chartwell AMR Report 2004, 9th Ed., the latest publication from utility research leader Chartwell Inc.
About 74% of all modules deployed in North America are mobile (drive-by) technologies, while the remaining modules appear to be more advanced, fixed network systems. Chartwell defines "advanced metering" as any system that can provide a daily read. This includes fixed-network technologies such as powerline carrier, wireless and telephone, but excludes drive-by and handheld reads. The new figures are based on Chartwell's 2004 AMR survey of 119 utilities that was completed in July 2004.
All told, about one in three utilities say they have installed or are installing advanced metering throughout their territories. Another 14% are piloting or planning to deploy an advanced metering system throughout their service territory while 18% are considering it. Still, many utilities are not ready to automate all or most of their meter reading. About 11% of utilities in Chartwell's 2004 survey said they have installed AMR for small deployments, but are not considering territory-wide installations - generally because of cost.
The AMR industry grew 20.1% this year according to Chartwell's 2004 AMR survey of 119 utilities -- just 0.1% more than the growth Chartwell predicted a year ago. In all, Chartwell estimates that about 55 million, or about 20% of all North American meters, are automated.
The nearly 300-page Chartwell AMR Report 2004 is made up of three primary components:
-- 57 pages of analysis, including in-depth examination of AMR costs
-- The Chartwell AMR Installations Database of 460-plus deployments
and
-- Survey details and contact information for more than 110 utility
respondents.
The report provides insight regarding vendor marketshare, the departments and personnel driving AMR businesses cases and how executives view AMR.
The Chartwell AMR Report 2004 is part of Chartwell's Metering Research Series, which is available for $2995. Chartwell's Metering Research Series is the only unbiased and continuous research service devoted exclusively to the AMR industry. Annual series membership includes access to:
-- more than 25 AMR-related reports
-- AMR-related reports released during the membership term, most with
at least two utility case studies
-- monthly intelligence reports on AMR trends and technologies and
-- past and current annual reports focusing on AMR surveys of
100-plus utilities.
For more information about The Chartwell AMR Report 2004 or The Metering Research Series, please contact Robin Roux at (800) 432-5879 or (404) 237-9099, or visit www.energylibrary.com.