LAHORE ELECTRIC SUPPLY

COMPANY

Pre-Bid Conference regarding

International Bidding Document
Mkt-03 for Remote Meter
Reading System (RMS)

LESCO is leap froging

towards a Radical
Change with
Breakthrough technology
of introducing Remote
Meter Reading System
(RMS)

Tender Document Mkt-03

Salient Features of Tender Document

SCOPE:
Design, Supply, Installation and Commissioning
of Remote Meter Reading System (RMS)
inclusive of static energy meter as per Wapda
Specifications by utilizing RF with GSM/GPRS
based hybrid system or totally GSM/GPRS
based fixed network.

Salient Features of Tender

Document
Proposed area Canal Road Sub-Division
Approximate consumers 18,000 (single
phase, three phase, CT , CT & PT operated)
Funds for procurement will be made from
LESCO own resources.
Single stage two envelop procedure will be
followed.

Para wise reply of Quarries

raised by
M/s Sitronics telecom solution

Query No.1

Reply

Does this mean that the

PLC is not expected or
preferred ? We suggest
PLC
as
the
main
communication technology
for its easy installation, low
costs and high stability. On
hybrid network. GPRS
might be used as a
supplementary
technology?

At
present
situation,
LESCO is not inclined for
the option of PLC as RMS
System
due
to
reservations
of
PLC
System. However any
prospective Bidder can
offer PLC System with its
enhanced technological
benefits with proven track
record and up to date
technological standards.

Query No.2

Reply

It seems that there is Nothing is missing b/w

some
text
missing Page 4&5. Item 4&5 on
between pages 4 and 5. page 5 is in continuation to
Is this correct?
points 1,2,3 on page 4.

Query No.3

Reply

How will the installation of

the hardware components
be proceeded? Will your
employees
install
the
meters on customer sites?
The installation of smart
meters with PLC unit does
not
differ
from
any
standard meter installation
and does not require any
specific training?

All the installation of

meters as well as removal
of old meters with all the
allied network
components like
DCU,MIU and other allied
components will be
installed by the Bidders.

Query No.4

Reply

Who will install the other

network components as
data
concentrators
(DCU), GPRS modems
etc.? Proper installation of
this equipment requires
training. Our technicians
can install the first pieces
in the first stages of the
project and provide the
necessary
training,
documentation
and
supervision for further
deployment.

The preferred sequence of

commissioning
of
the
project will be the energy
meters, installed in first
phase which will be
followed by its integration
with other components with
communication
devices.
However it will be the
choice of the Bidder to
proceed
with
any
sequence
of
commissioning.

Query No.5

Reply

The DCU description on

chapter 1.1.1 of the Annex
A expects RF and GPRS
communication technology
for LAN and WAN. Is this
strictly required or an
example?
We
are
expecting PLC for LAN on
most networks. There are
also more options for the
WAN as mentioned in
1.1.3. Do you have any

The DCU is a provision for

the offered Hybrid solution
based on GSM,RF etc.
However in case of exclusive
offered technology, GSM or
RF (Fixed Network),it will be
the discretion of the Bidder to
install DCU or any network
communicating device. At the
moment
PLC
is
not
preferable option. We do not
have any Transformer station
with
IT
infrastructure
connectivity network like
(Continue ..)

Query No.5

Reply

transformer stations with router switches etc.

existing IP connectivity we
could use? If yes, how
often
and
what
technology?
What
interface? Will you provide
IP connectivity on each DC
or do you expect us to
offer a solution for WAN IP
network between DC and
the central server?

Query No.6

Reply

Hand-held data collection

is mentioned, is this
required and for what
cases?
Off
line
communication using hand
held
is
suitable
for
metering data collection
including load profiles but
can not offer additional
functionalities as remote
meter
management,
network
management,
black
out
prevention,
temper detection etc.

This is an optional
provision can be offered
as an additional feature
as
the part of the
proposal of the Bidder.

Query No.7

Reply

The description of the SW

components
and
its
functionalities in Annex A 2.6
goes in detail. Our approval for
the same functionalities is in
some cases slightly different. Our
UTILIS
Metering
Suite
(AMR/AMM SW) is offering wide
range of functionalities including
tariff
planning,
meter
configuration,
network
management, data analyses,
meter reading scheduling etc. It is
possible to suggest alternative
SW architecture that would cover
all
the
requested
system
functions?

The Bidder can offer a

better software with more
functionalities, parameters
and flexibility for reporting.
Data Management and
Data Analysis covering all
the requirements under
scope of work.

Query No.8

Reply

In paragraph 2.6.5 of Annex

A the
Billing
interface
application is required. What
functions will be integrated,
What data will be shared?
We suggest step-by-step
integration beginning with
meter readouts to existing
billing
application
and
continuing with Customer
Information
and
Billing
System innovations. Smart
metering is

LESCO at present is not

inclined
to disturb its
existing Billing and reporting
system. The acquired Data
through the RMS network
will be sufficient to run
LESCO
existing
Billing
System.
However
the
offered system should have
the flexibility to expand with
probable efficient
Billing
and reporting system (As
per Clause 2.1 of Wapda
Specifications DDS 752004).

offering new possibilities and

functions that are now
probably not supported in
existing
LESCOs
applications.
Our
AMM
software can provide these
functions to end users in our
UTILIS GUI, but customer
related functions should be
operated on single place- in
the Customer Information
and
Billing
system.
Is
innovation of the LESCOs
Customer Information and
Billing expected ?

Query No.9

Reply

The objectives in page 5

include
Demand
and
Distribution
Management.
Does this mean demand side
management
i.e
remote
demand control ? What kind of
demand control is expected ?
What kind of interface on
meter is preferred ? We can
offer M-Bus interface that
enables
that
enables
communication with external
control relays or internal
secondary relay?

The basic parameters of the

offered meters as per
Wapda Specifications DDS75,DDS-60, DDS-65 ,DDS50,
are
the
only
requirements for the current
logs and temper alerts. At
this moments, the LESCO is
not inclined for any inherent
load management build in
devices in the meter.

Query No.10

Reply

The DCU described in

paragraph 2.3 of A will be
installed on distribution
transformer site or another
architecture is expected? If
the transformer placed is
outdoor, What standards
for DCUs housing are
expected ?

The DCU is preferably to

be
installed
at
concentrated node of
network. In case of
outdoor transformer it
should
be
installed
outside
compliant
to
relevant protection clause
like IP-54.

Query No.11

Reply

The minimum amount of

meters operated by one DCU
is 64. How many meters are
typically installed under one
transformer station ? We
expect it to be more. Do you
plan to install more DCU
under
one
transformer
station in this cases ? We
suggest using of DCU that
can handle about 1000
meters. This should be
enough of any situation.

The
No
of
meters
communicating with one
DCU, the limit is 64.
However the bidder can
enhance its capacity over
this limit according to
design and topology of
network.

Query No.12

Reply

Both single and poly phase

DCU are requested. Why
you need single phase DCU
? If we install the DCU on
transform site, this will
always be site with all
phases. DCU with PLC
modems are more powerful
if opened on all phases. Are
for PLC poly pase DCUs
preferred ?

It
is
understood
that
proposed DCU as a part of
network has the ability to
communicate its standalone
components irrespective of
singly phase, three phase or
CT-operated meters. The
operational supply voltage of
DCU is 240 volts and 410
volts 50 Hz.

Query No.13

Reply

Poly phase DCU should be

able to run also if two phases
are lost. This is technically
not possible? Since the DCU
it self is powered on the TPhase. If the T-Phase is
without power, the DCU is
not operating. We can supply
the DCU on the T-Phase with
UPS
to
ensure
its
functionalities even in power
lost situations. Additionally
losing other R and S phases
will causes an alarm to host
system?

The DCU preferably be

operated on singly phase
240V. However it will be
the discretion of the bidder
to offer DCU with poly
phase or any redundancy
option in case of failure of
supply for data storage.

Query No.14

Reply

Is on every transformer No, it will be installed at

station also a CT meter for later stage.
overall
energy
consumption expected ?
This is required for energy
lost detection. Do you
provide
the
current
transformers or shall we
deliver it with the CT
meters ?

Query No.15

Reply

DCU is required to record

power outages. Is it
possible to record this
together with other power
quality parameters in the
CT meter if DCU is
installed on TS and every
TS is equipped with CT
meter ?

The functions of the DCU is

to store the data &
Parameters received from
the meters for onward
communication to its Host
which will include all the
three nodes of energy
meters, Normal, Alternative
and security.

Query No.16

Reply

The attached DDS-50

specification
describes
also HT meters, but meter
table on page 27 does not
include hem. Are HT
meters also requested ?

In this regard please refer

page # 32, item D and A-4
along with foot note.

Query No.17

Reply

What stands MDII/MDI MDI stands for Maximum

abbreviation for in meter Demand indicator & B-II
table on page 27 ?
Industrial connection (load
from 41kW to 500 kW).

Query No.18

Reply

Could you please explain

the requests for MIU to
form the local telecom loop
mentioned in paragraph
2.2 of Annex A ?

The formation of telecom

loop by MIU is not a
required
parameter.
However it depends on the
proposed solution offered
by the bidder.

Query No.19
What exact norms for
meter housing protection
level are expected.

Reply
The specified meter as per
Wapda
specifications
DDS-75, DDS-50, DDs-65,
are well defined like fully
enclosed in poly carbonate
cover.

Para wise reply of Quarries

raised by
SoftVerx

Query No.1
Please give details of the
"future
meter
reading
needs?

Reply
This is basically
scalability and expansion
of the system

Query No.2

Reply

Please give details of the These are the objectives

"more advance meter to meet with the future
reading."
requirements of LESCO.

Query No.3

Reply

Please elaborate
improving revenue
collection methods. Please
also share your vision as
to how this becomes an
objective of the RMS?

Prompt,
correct
and
accurate
reading
will
generate confidence of
customer resulting quick
revenue collection and
better services. At later
stage the ultimate goal
will be customer access to
meter reading through
web.

Query No.4

Reply

Item (i) to (iv) give a total

of 195 days. This excludes
the approval time required
by LESCO for meter
approval and the time
required to install the
system for subsequent
feeders. How can the
entire
project
be
completed in 180 days?

The item wise time period

mentioned
are
the
maximum
time
limits
however these tasks can
easily be achieved in 180
days. Any prospective
delay can be justified by
the project Manager.

Query No.5

Reply

In 21.1 it is mentioned that

FCS will be used for
evaluation on the other
hand it is mentioned in
21.3 that for domestic
preference evaluation will
be made on the basis of
ex-factory prices. Please
explain how will this be
done?

It is well defined that for

evaluation purpose only
FCS unit price/ total price
will be the considered
criteria. As per clause
21.3, which are the factors
to be considered.

Query No.6

Reply

External MIUs are used

worldwide due to a number
of technical reasons such
as no interference with the
meter function (interference
results in accuracy loss).
Normally CT/PT operated
meters will be mounted
inside a metal enclosure,
making internal MIU less
suitable communication. Is
internal /built-in MIU a
preference or a compulsion
in LESCO's case?

It is agreed that built in

MIU in energy meter will
be the preferable option.
However
its
external
installation according to
network topology will be
optional.

Query No.7

Reply

It is mentioned that meter The scope of Hand held

data will be sent to the unit has already been
Host System using hand withdrawn.
held devices. Reference of
use of hand held devices
is also mentioned in P 21,
1.4 and on P 48. Please
explain what is the vision
behind mentioning the use
of hand held device
whereas at other places it
is specifically mentioned
that the system should
use only RF/GPRS/GSM.

Query No.8

Reply

It is mentioned that
MIU/LAN
should
use
telecom technologies such
as RF, Bluetooth, Wi-LAN
etc. and WAN should use
technologies GSM, GPRS,
CDMA, fiber Optic etc.
Please explain what is the
vision behind monitoring
multiple
telecom
technologies whereas at
other
places
it
is
specifically mentioned that
the system should use
only RF/GPRS/GSM.

It
is
an
optional
technological advantage
that a bidder can utilize
while
preparing
its
solution.

Query No.9

Reply

Will LESCO provide the

XML
format
for
communication between
telecom software and
polling system now or
later?

No

Query No.10

Reply

Please provide technical

requirements and details
of the RMS interface with
interface with Customer
Information and Billing
System. This information
is
required
for
cost
calculation.

LESCO at present is
running its own billing
system which requires to
be interfaced with the
RMS host server, the
detail of which can be
obtained from LESCO
computer section (o/o of
Director MIS)

Query No.11

Reply

Meter reading frequency is

not provided. It is definitely
required to calculate the
amount
of
data
for
Database capacity and
telecom network capacity.
Both are directly related to
the solution to be offered
and its cost.

The acquisition of data

frequency is well defined
in Wapda DDS-75 2004.

Query No.12

Reply

When will be the queryresponse data structure

be provided?

The acquisition of data

frequency is well defined
in Wapda DDS-75 2004.

Query No.13

Reply

There is a contradiction
between number of years
the data is be kept current.
At one place it is
mentioned as 03 years
and at the other place it is
01 year. Please clarify?

The Data storage will

initially be done for one
year, the main server,
while the same data will
be replicated to additional
storage server for three
years & ten years.

Query No.14
Type wise number of
customers
for
each
transformer
is
not
provided. This information
is mandatory to design the
telecom network (LAN and
WAN) and also for the
choice
of
telecom
hardware including MIU
and DCU. A realistic,
practice and cost-efficient
solution can not be offered
without this information.

Reply
The detail information
the mentioned area
sub-division
can
verified at site.

of
of
be

Query No.15

Reply

Lot 2 items A & C are not Agreed, already deleted.

mentioned else where.
Please clarify.

Query No.16,17 &

18

Reply
These are the optional
requirement to be offered
by the bidder.

Query No.19 to 29

Reply
Please refer page 41,
However the Bidder may
come up with better
computer
hardware
specifications meeting the
latest
international
standard compatible to his
system to be offered.

Para wise reply of Quarries

raised by
SIEMENS

Query No.1

Reply

Please refer page 04

under the clause IT-(1)
which states the system
provided with the meters
may
use
RF
with
GSM/GPRS based hybrid
fixed system." The details
given in Annex-A page 20
under
section
01
contradicts with the scope

As it is very much clarified

in the scope of tender that
at this moment LESCO is
inclined for acquiring a
system based on RF/GSM
technology
or
hybrid.
Annex-A is in continuation
to the scope of work.

Query No.1
of the tender described
under clause IT- 1 (1). The
referred annex- binding
impression to the vendors
for RF based system. We
may suggest that LESCO
should amend Annexure-A
to keep tender document
open for any kind of
system may be offered by
the vendor.

Reply

Query No.2

Reply

Kindly refer page 20 under

the section 1.3.2., the
customer details such as
quantity,
type
of
connection and location in
the sub-division has not
been provided by LESCO.
Due to importance of this
point it should be provided
prior to the bidding stage.

Please refer Page 26/27

the area of the proposed
project is well defined.
However, as per existing
policy of LESCO energy
meters are to be installed
out
side
customer's
premises.

Query No.3

Reply

Statement
regarding
connections under Canal
Road
Sub-Division
mentioned on Page 26 &
27 contradicts with each
other.
Please
issue
amendment//correction
accordingly.

The
detail
of
the
connections mentioned is
well elaborated. However,
any particular clarification
will be answered.

Query No.4

Reply

Please delete point at Point 04 page 33 may be

serial No 04 under Note deleted.
titled on page 33.

Query No.5

Reply

Since the Radio Frequency

based hybrid system is
being emphasized in the
tender documents, please
intimate us what frequency
band (frequency spectrum)
LESCO will prefer for
communication
between
the energy meters and
between the energy meters
& DCU. Further what
maximum power is allowed
in that frequency band?

The
Radio
Frequency
preferably being offered
from a free band. However,
over its particular frequency
selection range will depend
on the choice of the bidder .

Query No.6

Reply

Kindly refer clause IT-10.3

(ii) the sample of a meter
compliant to WAPDA, IEC
standards or ANSI may be
acceptable instead of
WAPDA and IEC only.

The bidder has the option

to supply the sample
meters compliance to IEC
standards. However, in
case
of
successful
qualifying bidder the meter
should be supplied exactly
according
to
WAPDA
mentioned specification.

Query No.7-A

Reply

A- Please refer clause IT-21

(B) on page 16 we
suggest that payment
should be as per given
below
a) All payment should be
made through confirm
irrevocable letter of
credit.
b) 80% payment to be
released upon delivery
of the meters to the
consignee store.
c) 10% upon installation of
complete system.

The terms of payment as

mentioned are firm and
final.

a) 05% upon

commissioning of
complete system.
b) Remaining 05% will be
kept as retention
money for defect
liability and will be
released against
submission of
retention bond for 12months.

Query No.7-B

Reply

B100 % delivery of
meters shall be completed
within
180
days
after
opening of L/C and prototype
approval which ever is later.
Since the installation of
meters
at
consumer
premises is dependent upon
LESCO
convenience
therefore
the
meter
installation work will be
completed within 150 days
(Uninterrupted by LESCO)
after the commencement of
installation work.

The terms of payment as

mentioned are firm and
final.

Issues with Stand-alone meter reading

Highly Person dependant.
Human errors cannot be avoided.
Accessibility of meters in rural/ Agricultural zones.
Energy Audits performed based on bill collection which
is highly inaccurate.
Billing done mainly on estimated/ monthly average basis
Inability to monitor and control discrete loads
Billing cycle requires excessive time.
Meter data used only for billing, cannot help in analysis
like demand analysis, energy audit, pinpointing losses,
etc.

Smart Metering and IT: An opportunity to

Leapfrog
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
Low
Accuracy
Low Accuracy
Control
NIL
Control NIL
Communications - Expensive
Communications - Expensive
Theft
Detection Poor
Theft Detection Poor

PAST
PAST

CURRENT
CURRENT

LEAPFROG
LEAPFROG

DIGITAL SOLID STATE

High Accuracy
Control LIMITED
Communications External through Retrofit
Theft Detection Node only

NEXT GEN SMART METER & IT SYSTEM

Very High Accuracy
Control FULL
Communications Built in (on chip / PCB)
Theft Detection High (Network level)

Why
RMS ?

Critical Benefits from RMS

Ability to detect tamper events and outage occurrences.

Remotely Connect/ disconnect power supply through
meter.
Calculate transformer loading and sizing from interval
data
15 minute interval data gives accurate load information
for supply scheduling, switching operations, planning etc
Monitor voltage at each premise to know conditions
when to operate capacitor switches or regulators
Consistent and granular data for improved accuracy

Connectivity in AMR
Architecture
1. GSM Based Communication
Single stage communication between Meter and
central station through GSM Modem

2. Hybrid Communication
Two stages of communication in AMR System

GSM Based Communication

Hybrid Communication
Two stages of communication in AMR System

Stage-1 Meters and Data Concentrator Unit

(DCU):

Communication channel used between meters

and DCU is power Line.
Stage-2 DCU and Host Central Station (HCS):
Communication channel used between DCU
and HCS is the standard GSM, CDMS, RF
Network.