AMI PREPAYMENT
Standard AMI meters typically do not have the ability to manage prepaid credit at the meter level (no meter credit register). Instead, Juice maintains customer credit on the server using our Juice Wallet to track available credit. As the AMI system returns reads, Juice applies the tariff and deducts the usage from the customer's Juice Wallet. Typically accounts are updated at least daily. After the account is updated, notifications are sent to customers whose balances fall below the notification threshold.
This process continues with daily notification, until the available balance is extinguished. At this point the cusotmer is notified a final time and the meter is automatically disconnected later that day if the account isn't topped-up. However, the meter is automatically reconnected as soon as the customer makes a payment.
This process continues with daily notification, until the available balance is extinguished. At this point the cusotmer is notified a final time and the meter is automatically disconnected later that day if the account isn't topped-up. However, the meter is automatically reconnected as soon as the customer makes a payment.
Benefits of AMI over STS
Challenges of AMI Prepayment
- Can control when a meter is disconnected with the ability to limit disconnections to business days and over-ride as needed
- Uses standard utility AMI meters, no specialized equipment needed
- AMI data assist utility in identifying losses and theft
Challenges of AMI Prepayment
- Cost of deploying and maintaining AMI infrastructure
- AMI communication systems typically not designed for the load required by prepayment; scalability issues have to be addressed beyond pilot stage
- Risk that communication failures can lead to customer service issues