Advanced metering technology coming

Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) has begun notifying members in Sisters of their upcoming conversion to new, advanced metering technology. These meter conversions mark the next step in the effort to convert all of the cooperative's meters to models with remote reading capability by mid-2013.

Central Electric launched the conversion to its advanced metering technology late last year. The new meters will eventually enable members to access their usage information through secure online connections to better understand their consumption patterns and how they can change uses or behaviors to save energy and money.

The new meters will enable the cooperative to remotely read meters on a regular basis without requiring a visit to members' property by a meter reader, boosting efficiency and reducing operating costs.

The cooperative began mailing notices to Sisters-area members in late April. Members are notified that their meter will be changed during the next few weeks. More specific timing can't be provided for most members due to the large size of the co-op's service area, variations between urban and rural areas, different distances between members' homes and businesses, and unpredictable difficulties with access or change-outs.

Because Sisters' business district is relatively condensed and its meters are easily accessible, Central Electric is taking extra steps to minimize any inconvenience the meter conversion will have for its business members. They will receive a follow-up letter the week of May 9 defining the specific date of their individual change-out. The co-op will change the business member meters during night-time hours from Sunday night, May 22, through Friday morning, May 27.

"We felt it was important to our members that we complete this part of the project before the Memorial Day weekend and the start of Sisters' summer season," said Brad Wilson, CEC's advanced metering infrastructure project manager. "We'll complete the conversions between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. While we have some flexibility for change-outs within a member's scheduled day of conversion, we won't be able to re-arrange the conversion day for individual businesses. This would require repeated visits to areas that have already been converted, resulting in reduced efficiency and increased costs."

More than 5,700 of Central Electric's nearly 32,000 electric meters are in the Sisters region. This includes points west such as Black Butte Ranch and Camp Sherman. CEC expects to complete its meter conversions in and around Sisters by early- to mid-June. The project then will move farther west, with completion of the region's conversion expected by the end of summer.