May 4, 2009 - Harris NorthStar has successfully completed Phases I and II of its operational data store (ODS) implementation of MeterSense for Peterborough Distribution Inc.

Peterborough Distribution selected Harris to implement MeterSense in late 2008 to help the LDC manage the rollout of 30,000 electric meters as part of the Province of Ontario’s Smart Meter Initiative. The provincial government’s Smart Meter Initiative will see the installation of over four million residential smart meters and will facilitate the Province’s goal of introducing time-of-use billing and a conservation culture.

Ontario Smart Metering System Data Flow
The AMI system includes the Advanced Metering Communication Devices (AMCD), the Local Area Network (LAN), Advanced Metering Regional Collector (AMRC), the AMI Wide Area Network (AMI WAN) and an Advanced Metering Control Computer (AMCC).

This is still new ground for many utilities and Peterborough was looking for a partner that would work closely with it during implementation and testing. MeterSense is a core component of Peterborough Distribution’s smart meter implementation project and is being used to validate data from over 30,000 smart meters. It is also the integration point between Peterborough’s Advanced Metering Control Computer (AMCC) and Peterborough’s other core business systems such as its Harris Cayenta customer information system (CIS) and its SCADA system. In addition, MeterSense will provide the following functions:

• Preliminary Validation, Estimation and Editing of meter reads
• Remote 2 way interfaces to smart meters, for on-demand reads and remotely connecting or disconnecting power
• Map-based reports that identify problems with meters and the communications grid
• Smart meter grid service level monitoring
• Time-of-use billing

“Early indications are that our expectations of the MeterSense product will be met or exceeded. MeterSense will efficiently manage the large volumes of data expected from the AMI system and provide staff with the tools they need and expect to effectively manage our complex business”, reports Jeff Guilbeault, VP Electric Utility. “Harris, through MeterSense, can offer advanced functions very quickly because it can integrate to our systems and because Harris understands the utility business.”

Phase III is currently in progress and is scheduled for completion in mid 2009, which will fully integrate Peterborough’s sub-systems and further facilitate business process automation associated with the smart meter system implementation.

About Peterborough Distribution Inc.
Peterborough Distribution Inc (PDI) distributes electricity to the residents and businesses of Peterborough, Norwood and Lakefield. PDI has taken an active role in electricity conservation and demand programs including a program to install thermal storage heaters and smart meters in low-income homes in cooperation with the City of Peterborough. The City and its residents have benefitted by paying lower off-peak commodity prices for heating these homes since 2006. By June 2009, all of PDI’s residential and small commercial locations will have been retrofitted with electric smart meters to fulfill the province’s mandate and accommodate the expected availability of time-of-use billing in 2011.

About Harris
Harris is a leading provider of utility customer information systems (CIS), billing and financial management software solutions. Since 1976, Harris has focused on providing feature-rich and robust turnkey solutions to public power and water markets as well as all levels of local government throughout North America. Harris' focus is on creating long-term relationships with our customers and ensuring that we meet the changing needs of our customers over time. For further information on Harris Computer Systems and NorthStar CIS, visit our website at www.harriscomputer.com.

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