Washington Gas Energy Services Seeks Investigation into Retail Supplier Access to AMI Data in D.C.

Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. has filed a petition at the District of Columbia PSC, in Formal Case 1083, for an investigation into retail electricity supplier access to smart meter data.

The PSC previously initiated Formal Case 1083 to investigate, "the numerous policy matters that will arise as an outgrowth of the implementation of the Smart Grid."

"Formal Case 1083 is an appropriate docket in which to investigate the issues related to supplier access to smart meter data and how the installation of smart meters can augment the competitive energy market in the District," WGES said, asking that several questions be addressed, including but not limited to:

• When can suppliers expect to receive customers' hourly data?

• Will all meters be handled like current interval meters for EDI?

• Is there, or will there be, a "flag" in EDI pre-enrollment historical usage responses to identify customers that have advanced meters?

• Will suppliers receive "raw" data, or will the data be filtered/standardized?

• Will interval data be supplied in hourly or 15-minute increments?

• As suppliers introduce products and services to take advantage of the availability of interval meter data, will suppliers be given more space on bills to adequately/accurately describe the product and price?

• Will customers be able to allow their suppliers to use the AMI communication systems to send signals to the customer about pricing or load reductions?

• When will hourly meter data be used for settlement?

• Is there any expectation that the availability of AMI will be used to decrease the length of time required for customer switching?