Why AMI Investment Alone Isn’t Enough

After more than three decades in the utility space, I’ve seen how transformative technologies like Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) can be when paired with the right strategy. AMI has long been touted as a game-changer for grid modernization, customer engagement, and rate innovation. However, regulators are asking tougher questions: Are customers seeing tangible benefits from AMI-enabled programs? Is the utility delivering on the promise of personalization, equity, and decarbonization?

These questions are central to the evolving regulatory space. Meeting these expectations requires a new level of analytical agility, customer-centric thinking, and operational execution. The reality is that while millions of smart meters provide real-time data on customer usage, visibility alone doesn’t drive value. Many utilities struggle to translate AMI data into actionable outcomes due to legacy systems, siloed data, and regulatory constraints.

Commissions are no longer content with just data collection. They expect utilities to actively harness AMI to design innovative rates, support vulnerable populations, and accelerate decarbonization. In rate case proceedings, experts are increasingly asked to justify not just the cost of AMI, but its utilization. This creates a gap between what utilities can do with AMI and what they’re expected to do. Bridging that gap requires the right tools, knowledge, and technology.

At GridX, we specialize in helping utilities operationalize the benefits of AMI. Our platform is purpose-built to ingest, analyze, and act on granular customer and meter data—at scale and in real time. We empower utilities to design, test, and deploy complex rate structures that reflect actual customer usage. Our solutions also enable utilities to deliver personalized bill forecasts and program recommendations, which drives higher program participation and improved customer satisfaction. We also help accelerate program deployment, from EV incentives to low-income protections, by helping utilities identify eligible customers and simulate program impacts.

To unlock the full value of AMI, utilities must move from data collection to data activation. This means designing rates that reflect real costs and launching programs that meet real needs.

Read more in the guide, Maximizing AMI Investments: How utilities can utilize AMI data to improve rates engagement.