What is AMS?
AMS refers to the current smart metering systems in Norway. AMS is an abbreviation for “Avanserte Måle- og Styringssystem» which may be translated in a simplified way to Advanced Metering Systems (AMS). In 2011, RME obligated Norwegian grid operators to install and operate AMS for all their electricity customers in the Norwegian low voltage grid. AMS have been mandatory since January 2019 for all metering points in the low voltage grid and since July 2022 for all metering points in the high voltage grid.
There is about 2.9 million metering points in the Norwegian low voltage grid, whereof about 2.5 million metering points are regular households or holiday homes. AMS is a key part of the modernization of the power grid and offers benefits like hourly consumption tracking, automatic readings, accurate billing, and easier switching of electricity providers. For grid operators, smart meters provide better insight into local grid conditions, enabling faster fault detection, fewer outages, improved safety, and more stable voltage. Over time, this can reduce operating costs and help keep grid fees lower.
Figure: Example of how a Norwegian AMS architecture may look like
As illustrated in the figure above, AMS allows customers to read near real-time consumption data, feeding it into home energy management systems. This allows customers to participate in consumer flexibility markets and monitor consumption to e.g. stay within effect tariffs. The figure also shows that e.g. Municipalities may connect water meters to the AMS, because it is a requirement that AMS shall be able to connect and communicate data from other types of meters. AMS are also enablers of distributed power production where prosumers can feed surplus energy into the grid.
RME has published a report (in Norwegian, but with English executive summary) about the implementation of advanced metering systems (AMS) in the low voltage grid in Norway.[1] The report describes current AMS vendors and issues related to installation and functionalities.
What is AMS 2.0?
When we speak about AMS 2.0, we speak about the next generation of Norwegian Advanced Metering Systems. The development of metering technology is advancing quickly. The figure below illustrates advances in electricity metering technology in the last decades. In addition, the figure provides some examples of technology that the next generation AMS may contain. We emphasize that the 2030 outlook is based on a mapping of potential requirements for next generation AMS, and not any decided upon functionalities.
Figure: Advances in electricity metering technology including possible future development
Why AMS 2.0?
The lifetime of AMS meters may be expected to be around 16 years. Therefore, meters installed around 2011 are already approaching their end of life. As a result, grid operators must plan for procurement of new AMS. A central question is whether they should use the same AMS setup as today, or whether the technology development and new AMS technology should mean that they should invest in newer technology (next generation). This is where AMS 2.0 comes in. RME started to look ahead in time already in 2019, publishing a report (in Norwegian) on how future AMS may look like.[2]
AMS 2.0 is the proposed evolution of Norway’s AMS, aiming to modernize and future-proof the country’s smart metering infrastructure. The current AMS infrastructure is approaching a technological and functional threshold. Many meters are nearing end-of-life, and new demands—such as increased energy flexibility[3], integration of distributed energy resources (e.g., solar panels), and stricter cybersecurity – may necessitate a more advanced system. One of the challenges that AMS 2.0 may help with solving, through multi-channel meter reading, is the submetering responsibility and requirements.[4]
Current status on AMS 2.0 and the way forward
RME has initiated dialogues with meter manufacturers, telecom providers, and grid companies. The focus is on identifying technical needs, regulatory gaps, and stakeholder expectations. A mapping effort was conducted during summer 2023 by student interns, whose conclusions were published in an end report.[5]
Developing requirements for AMS 2.0 also requires close collaboration with other relevant authorities such as the Norwegian Communications Authority, the Norwegian Metrology Service, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection.
Because the main knowledge about industry needs is located in the sector itself, RME has asked the industry to prepare for AMS 2.0. This is an ongoing project, led by the non-profit industry organization Renewables Norway[6]. After the finalization of the industry project, RME will make its own evaluation of what functions AMS 2.0 should include, and what adaptations that are necessary. For example, if current AMS already are advanced enough to allow future AMS 2.0 needs to be handled through software updates, or whether change of hardware is necessary. And in case of the latter, what should be the timeframes for AMS 2.0 installation.
Where can I find more information?
Currently, we don’t have any more information about AMS 2.0, but we will update this webpage with significant information as it will become available to us.
[1] RME report (2023): Final report on the implementation of advanced metering systems (AMS) https://publikasjoner.nve.no/rme_rapport/2023/rme_rapport2023_02.pdf
[2] RME report (2019): Future AMS https://publikasjoner.nve.no/rapport/2019/rapport2019_34.pdf
[3] ACER website about the draft network code on demand response: https://www.acer.europa.eu/news/new-network-code-demand-response-will-further-advance-energy-transition
[4] RME report (2022) on split responsibility and submetering requirements: https://publikasjoner.nve.no/rme_eksternrapport/2022/rme_eksternrapport2022_07.pdf
[5] RME report (2023): Flexibility in the world’s largest machine (in Norwegian): https://www.nve.no/media/16528/sommerprosjekt-2023.pdf