Principal investigator: Liang Du
University: Villanova University
Industry partner: TESCO Metering
Villanova University has collaborated with TESCO Metering, an industry leader in custom utility products and American-made metering equipment for the electric utility industry since 1904. Together, this collaboration proposes to develop next-generation advanced metering infrastructure technologies and products with fewer sensors yet enhanced functions. Utilizing strong AMI expertise on both sides, this collaboration will enhance TESCO’s technical readiness and competitiveness in providing specialized metering solutions to utilities worldwide with ensured accuracy and functionality in a rapidly evolving and expanding industry. With its headquarters and main facility in Bristol, Pennsylvania, TESCO operates full-product lifecycle management from engineering, machining, and testing to software development and in-house assembly. This grant will further create a synergy between VU and TESCO (only 30 miles away from each other) and potentially build a strong vertically integrated metering technology corridor of the next generation with more products, jobs, and highly trained students retained in the commonwealth. This project aims at developing next-generation AMI (AMI 3.0) with fewer physical sensors enabled by “software-defined” virtual sensors.