Dynamic Bellweather Meter

Abstract

The disclosed technology relates to identifying bellwether meters. In one example, the method comprises receiving, at a first device on a personal area network in a communications network, resource distribution network measurements from each of a set of metering devices on the personal area network at a first reporting rate, the measurements being taken at each metering device. The first device and the set of metering devices are in a predefined device group. The method further comprises analyzing the measurements and selecting, for a first time period, a first metering device of the plurality of metering devices as a bellwether metering device based on the analysis. The method further comprises receiving measurements from the bellwether metering device at a second reporting rate faster than the first reporting rate and receiving measurements from other devices of the plurality of metering devices at the first reporting rate.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to metering systems, and more particularly to an electricity metering system that dynamically assigns, from an electrical group of meters, a Bellwether meter to represent the electrical group. [Background technology]

[0002] Resource distribution systems typically use meters to meter and report resource consumption. Meters are also useful for analyzing resource distribution systems to ensure proper functioning and to identify malfunctions. In some cases, a representative meter (Bellweather meter) can be identified. Bellweather meters typically represent a small percentage of the total number of meters per circuit (e.g., less than 1%).

[0003] However, existing solutions for selecting bellwether meters have flaws. For example, existing systems rely on making decisions based on data obtained from meters that may have once been representative but are no longer representative due to changes in the distribution network. For example, existing systems may assign bellwether meters for long time periods, such as seasons or years. Such systems may not be able to respond quickly to localized changes in resource supply. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Certain aspects and features include systems and methods for identifying a bellwether meter (or metering device). In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a first device on a personal area network in a communications network, resource distribution network measurements from each of a set of metering devices on the personal area network at a first reporting rate, the measurements being taken at each metering device. The first device and the set of metering devices are in a predefined device group. The method further includes analyzing, at the first device, the measurements received from each metering device. The method further includes selecting, at the first device, a first metering device of the set of metering devices as a bellwether metering device for a first time period based on the analysis. The method further includes receiving, at the first device, measurements from the bellwether metering devices and on the personal area network at a second reporting rate greater than the first reporting rate. The method further includes receiving, at the first device, measurements at the first rate reporting rate over the personal area network and from other devices of the set of metering devices.

[0005] These illustrative examples are not provided to limit or define the present disclosure, but rather to provide examples to aid in understanding. Further examples and further explanations are provided in the Detailed Description.

[0006] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication network topology for a power distribution system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example distribution topology of a power distribution system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example process for identifying a Bellweather meter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an example communication network topology of a portion of an electric distribution system where meters in an electric group correspond to a single network, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a communications network topology of a portion of an electric distribution system in which meters in an electric group are coupled to two separate networks, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary computing device in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Aspects of the invention relate to bellwether metering devices. A bellwether metering device, or meter, is a meter that is identified as representative of a group of related meters. Measurements obtained from a bellwether meter can be used to inform other processes, such as processes that adjust settings of resource regulating devices or identify problems in a resource distribution network. Resource regulating devices include voltage-reactive power control devices, capacitors, and voltage regulators.

[0009] Dynamic Bellwether metering refers to periodically determining a designated Bellwether meter from a group of meters and then updating that determination as needed. A group of meters may be an electrical group that contains meters that are in electrical proximity to each other or have similar characteristics. For example, a group may be an area of ​​electrical equipment connected to a power source with similar or the same electrical characteristics. In other cases, meters in an electrical group may be supplied by the same transformer or the same lateral feeder.

[0010] In a more specific example, each meter in an electrical group reports measurements at a default reporting rate or first reporting rate to a single device or coach device. Meters in an electrical group may be referred to as "student devices" or "student meters." A coach device refers to a device that receives measurements from student meters and determines Bellwether meters from student meters. A coach device may be a collector (border router), a meter, or another device with the capability to compute and communicate with student meters. A given device may be a coach for multiple electrical groups.

[0011] The coach device determines which meters are Bellweather meters, at least for a period of time, based on the reported readings. The determination is performed by comparing and analyzing the readings of meters in the electrical group. Meters selected as Bellweather meters report their readings to the coach device or to the central system more frequently than other meters in the electrical group report their respective readings. For example, meters in the electrical group may send readings to the coach device every four hours, while a designated Bellweather meter may send readings every hour.

[0012] A coach device can report measurements from a Bellwether meter to a central system, such as a head end system (HES) or command center. Measurements from a Bellwether meter are typically sent from the coach device to the central system more frequently than other measurements. In addition, any meter may communicate measurements to other systems or devices, such as collectors or head end systems, at different or unrelated rates (e.g., daily), independent of Bellwether meter activity. In some cases, meters (including Bellwether meters) may bypass the coach device and send measurements directly upstream.

[0013] Benefits of using dynamic bellwether metering include improvements to the power distribution system that can more quickly identify problems in the power distribution system, such as overvoltage or undervoltage, and adjust parameters in the distribution network to address these issues. As described here, the meters are typically electrical meters that measure voltage. Thus, the measured voltage can be used to determine the bellwether meter, but other parameters, such as current and phase, can also be measured and used to determine the bellwether meter instead of or in addition to the voltage.

[0014] Each meter in an electrical group can be connected to a personal area network (PAN) of devices. A personal area network is a hierarchical path in the mesh communications network. In some cases, a particular PAN may contain multiple electrical groups. In other cases, an electrical group may contain devices from multiple PANs (for example, as described in Figure 5).

[0015] Turning now to the figures, Figure 1 illustrates an example of a communications network topology corresponding to a portion of an electrical power distribution system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 illustrates a communications network 100 including a head end system 102, a collector 110, a data processing system 114, and a network 120. The illustrated example includes two electrical groups 130 and 135, both of which include meters that communicate within the network 120.

[0016] Network 1200 is a personal area network (PAN). A PAN is a wireless network or wireless mesh network that uses wireless protocols such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Wireless Smart Utility Network (Wi-SUN), ZigBee, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15 protocol, or a proprietary protocol. Collector 110 communicates with network 120. If network 120 is a PAN, collector 110 can be a PAN coordinator for network 120. For example, collector 110 receives metering data and other measurements from meters 141-148 and passes the data to head end system 102 for billing and analysis purposes. As shown, network 120 has one collector, collector 110. However, in a particular PAN, there may be multiple collectors under a single PAN coordinator. Additionally, additional meters can be added to network 120 or meters can be removed from network 120 as needed.

[0017] The meters 141-148 can be any type of metering device, such as an electric meter (e.g., Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter) or a standalone device. Each meter 141-148 is located at a respective end user's premises and provides resources to that premises. The meters 141-148 are configured to measure parameters such as voltage, current, phase, consumption, temperature, etc. at the end user's premises. The meters 141-148 can periodically obtain consumption or metering data independent of reporting measurements used for indexing purposes.

[0018] Each meter 141-148 can wirelessly communicate with one or more other devices over one or more networks. While the network 120 includes eight meters for illustrative purposes, any number of meters can be selected. For example, the network 120 may include hundreds of meters. In a mesh topology, there may be one or more different communication paths between the meters 141-148 and the collector 110. The collector 110 is connected to the head end system 102 over the network. The collector 110 can perform functions such as aggregating measurements or metering data from the meters 141-148 and providing those measurements to the head end system 102.

[0019] Potential devices for a coach include collectors and meters. In the illustrated example, in addition to its collector function, collector 110 is also a coach device responsible for electrical group 130. For example, collector 110 designates meter 141 as a bellweather device for electrical group 130. In contrast, meter 147 serves as a coach device for electrical group 135. Meter 147 designates meter 148 as a bellweather device for electrical group 135. Electrical groups 130 and 135 and the meters within the groups may change over time. For example, the number of meters within an electrical group may change if one or more meters are reassigned to other electrical groups.

[0020] As shown, the bellwether monitoring functions are split between a head end system 102 and a data processing system 114. The data processing system 114 may be an advanced distribution management system (ADMS). The data processing system 114 is integrated with the head end system 102 to receive and analyze metered data. For example, the head end system 102 may include one or more computing devices 104 that perform processing functions such as metering data and aggregating metering data, processing metering data, communicating with collectors 110 (or other collectors), communicating with meters 141-148, and sending alerts. The data processing system 114 processes the metered data received from the meters. However, in another aspect, the functions of the head end system 102 and the data processing system 114 may be integrated.

[0021] As explained, Figure 1 is a communications network. In contrast, Figure 2 shows a distribution topology of a resource (e.g., power). The communications network and the power distribution topology are separate. For example, two or more meters may be clustered in a personal area network based on wireless delays, path lengths, etc., regardless of whether they are powered from the same distribution line. Thus, two meters in a communications network are considered different electrical groups because they may be on different power distribution topologies or networks and are electrically unrelated.

[0022] 2 illustrates an example of a power distribution topology of a power distribution system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG 2 illustrates a power distribution system 200 including a power source 202, power feeders 203 and 213, power distribution transformers 204 and 214, power distribution lines 205-207 and 215-217, and meters 221-228.

[0023] In the illustrated example, power source 202 provides one or more phases of power to feeders 203 and 213. In the illustrated example, power source 202 provides one or more phases of power to feeders 203 and 213. Distribution transformer 204 provides one or more phases to distribution line 205, which provides power to distribution lines 206 and 207. Distribution line 206 connects to meters 227 and 228. Distribution line 207 connects to meters 225 and 226. Distribution transformer 214 provides one or more phases to distribution line 215, which provides power to distribution lines 216 and 217. Distribution line 217 connects to meters 221 and 222. Distribution line 216 connects to meters 223 and 224.

[0024] For purposes of illustration, meters 221-228 are located on one of the roads 230-234. In some cases, the transmission lines and distribution transformers may follow the road topology. For example, a distribution transformer may be installed along a road, providing power to all end user premises on the road. In this case, the meters corresponding to these dwellings may form an electrical group. However, any type of road topology is possible.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary process 300 for identifying a Bellweather meter, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Process 300 includes blocks 301-305. One or more of the blocks of process 300 may be skipped and / or duplicated. Additionally or alternatively, process 300 may be repeated, for example, whenever the Bellweather meter designation is updated. Process 300 may be implemented by a coach device, such as a designated meter on a personal area network of meters. In some cases, the coach device may be a collector. By way of example, process 300 is described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0026] At block 301, process 300 includes receiving, at a first device on a personal area network in a communications network, resource distribution network measurements taken at a respective meter from each metering device of a set of metering devices on the personal area network at a first reporting rate. The first device (e.g., a coach device) and the set of metering devices are in a predefined device group, i.e., an electrical group. The measurements include voltage, current, phase, etc., as well as values ​​based on or derived from the measurements, such as average, minimum, and maximum voltage over a period of time.

[0027] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, electrical group 130 includes meters 141-144. A coach device (collector 110 in this example) receives respective readings from each meter 141-144. Because the coach device is designated as collector 110, each of meters 141-144 is a student meter and therefore sends each reading to the coach device at an initial, or default, reporting rate. Electrical group 135 includes meters 145-148. Coach meter 147 receives readings from student meters 145-148 at the default rate.

[0028] At block 302, the process 300 includes analyzing, at the first device, measurements received from each metering device. Methods for determining the meter associated with the measurements identified for monitoring include, but are not limited to, identifying the meter with the lowest voltage of the group, identifying the meter with the peak voltage of the group, identifying the meter with an average voltage closest to the average voltage of the group, identifying the meter with the lowest variability in instantaneous voltage measurements over a period of time, or other statistical metric.

[0029] In one example, the measurements identified for monitoring include identifying the lowest acceptable operating value within the operating range. For example, if the operating range is 115-130 volts and the student meter measures voltages of 117 volts, 121 volts, 125 volts, and 114 volts, the coach device will identify the meter that obtains a reading of 117 volts as the lowest voltage within the operating range. In another example, the highest acceptable voltage within the range is used.

[0030] In another example, a Bellweather meter is selected based on the particular meter that has the smallest difference from the average. For example, Coach Devices calculates the average of all measurements and, for each meter, calculates the corresponding difference between that meter's measurement and the average. Coach Devices then selects the meter that has the smallest difference from the average as the Bellweather meter.

[0031] Another example is using a volatility measure to select an indicator meter. In this case, Coach Meter determines for each meter a measure of volatility that represents the amount of change in the measurement over a period of time. Then, either the meter with the least volatility or the meter with the most volatility is selected as the indicator meter.

[0032] In yet another example, a Bellwether meter is selected based on a particular meter having a lower reading than all other selected student meters. Continuing the example, if meters 141-144 have voltage readings of 112, 114, 116, and 115, respectively, collector 110 would identify meter 141 as a Bellwether meter.

[0033] At block 303, process 300 includes selecting the first metering device as a bellweather meter for the first time period based on an analysis of the measurements at the first device. Continuing with the example, collector 110 identifies meter 141 as a bellweather meter for electrical group 130 based on the criteria described with respect to block 302. In some cases, collector 110 sends a command to meter 141 to operate meter 141 as a bellweather meter for electrical group 130 and / or sends a command to the meter previously designated as a bellweather meter (e.g., any of meters 142-144) to stop transmitting at the second, or bellweather, reporting rate.

[0034] At block 304, the process 300 includes receiving, at the first device, measurements from the Bellweather metering device and over the personal area network at a second reporting rate that is higher than the first reporting rate. In some cases, the first device (e.g., a coach meter) receives measurements from the Bellweather meter and forwards the measurements upstream to a central system. However, in other cases, depending on the configuration of the communications network, measurements from the Bellweather meter are sent directly to the central system.

[0035] At block 305, the process 300 includes receiving measurements at a first device on the personal area network and from other metering devices at a first, or default, reporting rate. In some cases, other devices, such as coach meters, receive measurements from the Bellweather meter and forward the measurements upstream to a central system. However, in other cases, depending on the configuration of the communications network, measurements from the Bellweather meter are sent directly to the central system.

[0036] The Coach Device may report readings from a Bellwether meter to the central system more frequently than readings from other non-Bellwether meters. This upstream reporting rate may be the same as or different from the aforementioned reporting rate from the meters to the Coach Device.

[0037] After the Bellweather meter is identified as a meter 141, the collector 110, the head end system 102, and / or the data processing system 114 can monitor measurements received from the Bellweather meter. The measurements may indicate a problem with the distribution network. Based on the identified problem, an action can be taken. For example, a Bellweather meter measurement may be determined to be below a voltage threshold, indicating a problem is occurring. An example voltage threshold for residential service may be 115 volts for a nominal voltage of 110 volts or 210 volts for a nominal voltage of 220 volts. If additional voltage measurements are determined to be below the voltage threshold, the head end system 102 may adjust resource conditioning devices (such as voltage regulators or capacitor banks) located on the power distribution network to bring the voltage back within normal levels.

[0038] The designation of a Bellweather meter can be dynamic. Thus, process 300 may be re-executed periodically. For example, collector 110 may periodically execute block 302 and then, at regular time intervals, analyze the data received in block 302 and execute block 303 to update the Bellweather meter designation to another meter. For example, process 300 may be executed a first time and a first meter may be designated as a Bellweather meter. Then, process 300 may be executed a second time and the first meter may be reconfigured as a non-Bellweather meter (i.e., the first meter may revert to reporting measurements at a default rate) and the second meter may be configured as a Bellweather meter, and so on.

[0039] Meters may initially be designated as student devices or coach devices. For example, all meters may be designated as student meters and one meter may be designated as a coach device. By default, student devices may be configured to transmit at a default reporting rate. The designation of meters as student devices may be based on physical topology data stored in a central system, such as the head end system 102, and / or information about the communications network topology (e.g., PAN). For example, the topology data may be used to make an initial determination of electrical groups. Meters in a group are designated as student and collectors are designated as coach devices.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates an example communication network topology of a portion of an electric power distribution system where meters in an electric group correspond to a single network, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In contrast to FIG. 2, which illustrates a distributed resource topology, FIG. 4 illustrates a communication network topology 400 that includes a network 420. Network 420 can be a PAN. Network 420, in turn, includes a collector 440 and meters 441-446. Collector 440 is connected to a communication network that is connected to a head end system.

[0041] With respect to meters, network 420 is identical to electrical group 430. Thus, as shown, electrical group includes meters 441-446 and no other meters (in contrast, FIG. 5 shows that different meters on a personal area network are part of different electrical groups).

[0042] For example, a change in network topology may result in the addition or removal of one or more meters from an electrical group. Additionally, in some cases, Bellwether meter re-identification is performed. For example, devices such as head end systems, collectors, and coach devices detect a topology change on a resource distribution network. Based on the topology change, the head end system notifies the coach device that a new device has been added to the group and notifies the designated coach to the new device.

[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates an example communication network topology of a portion of an electrical distribution system in which meters in an electrical group are coupled to two separate networks, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates communication network topology 500, including collectors 550 and 570 and meters 541-546 and 581-584. Meters 541-546 and collector 550 form network 520. Network 520 is a communication network or PAN. Meters 581-584 and collector 570 form network 525. Network 525 is a communication network or PAN. Collectors 550 and 570 are connected to one or more communication networks that are connected to a head end system.

[0044] Electrical group 530, which uses collector 550 as a coach, includes all of the meters in network 520 (meters 541-546) and one of the meters in network 525 (meter 581). Meter 581 can communicate with collector 550. Electrical group 535, which uses collector 570 as a coach, includes some of the meters in network 525 (specifically meters 582-584), but does not include any meters in network 520. Thus, network 520 includes the entirety of one electrical group 535 and a portion of another electrical group, electrical group 530.

[0045] Exemplary Computing Device

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary computing device according to certain aspects of the disclosure. Any suitable computing system may be used to perform the operations described herein. The illustrated example computing device 600 includes a processor 602 communicatively coupled to one or more memory devices 604. The computing device 600 may be used in a meter, a collector, or any other device described herein. The processor 602 executes computer-executable program code 630 stored in the memory device 604, accesses data 620 stored in the memory device 604, or both. Examples of the processor 602 include a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other suitable processing device. The processor 602 may include any number of processing devices or cores, including a single processing device. The functionality of the computing device may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0047] The memory device 604 includes any suitable non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing data, program code, or both. Computer-readable media include electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage devices capable of providing computer-readable instructions or other program code to a processor. Non-limiting examples of computer-readable media include flash memory, ROM, RAM, ASICs, or other media from which a processing unit can read instructions. Instructions may include processor-specific instructions generated by a compiler or interpreter from code written in any suitable computer programming language, such as C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, Java, scripting languages, etc.

[0048] Computing device 600 may also include a number of external or internal devices, such as input devices and output devices. For example, computing device 600 may include one or more input / output ("I / O") interfaces 608. I / O interface 608 may receive input from input devices and provide output to output devices. Computing device 600 also includes one or more buses 606. Bus 606 communicatively couples each of one or more components of computing device 600.

[0049] Computing device 600 executes program code 630 that configures processor 602 to perform one or more operations described herein. For example, program code 630 may cause processor 602 to perform the operations described in FIG.

[0050] The computing device 600 also includes a network interface device 610. The network interface device 610 includes any device or group of devices suitable for establishing a wired or wireless data connection to one or more data networks. The network interface device 610 may be a wireless device and may include an antenna 614. The computing device 600 may use the network interface device 610 to communicate over the data network with one or more other computing devices implementing computing devices or other functions.

[0051] Computing device 600 may also include a display device 612. Display device 612 may be an LCD, LED, touch screen, or other device capable of displaying information about computing device 600. For example, the information may include the operating status of the computing device, network status, etc.

[0052] The computing device 600 may also include sensors 614. The sensors 614 may be configured to obtain measurements of voltage, current, phase, load, temperature, and the like.

[0053] While the subject matter of the present invention has been described in detail with respect to certain aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon having an understanding of the foregoing, may readily make modifications, variations, and equivalents to such aspects. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and is not intended to exclude the inclusion of modifications, variations, and / or additions to the subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for identifying Bellwether metering devices in a resource distribution network, the method comprising: receiving, at a first device on a personal area network in a communications network, from each of a plurality of metering devices on the personal area network at a first reporting rate, resource distribution network measurements obtained at each metering device, the first device and the plurality of metering devices being in a predefined device group; analyzing, at the first device, measurements received from each of a plurality of metering devices; selecting, at the first device, a first metering device of the plurality of metering devices as a bellwether metering device for a first time period based on the analysis; receiving, at the first device, a first measurement value from the Bellwether metering device and over a personal area network at a second reporting rate higher than the first reporting rate; and receiving second measurements at the first device on a personal area network and from other devices of the plurality of metering devices at the first reporting rate; A method for providing the above.

2. The selection may include: transmitting a first signal to the first metering device to instruct the first metering device to transmit a first measurement at the second reporting rate; transmitting a second signal to at least one of the other devices to instruct the at least one other device to transmit second measurements at the first reporting rate. The method of claim 1.

3. the first device is a member of an additional predefined device group; The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional predefined device group includes at least one device that is not a member of the predefined device group.

4. reporting, at the first device, the first measurement and the second measurement to a central system; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first device is a collector or coordinator of a personal area network.

6. analyzing the received first and second measurements at the first device; selecting, at the first device, a second metering device of the plurality of metering devices as the bellwether metering device for a second time period based on analyzing the first measurement and the second measurement; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

7. receiving measurements from one or more of the plurality of metering devices at a third reporting rate outside the central personal area network; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

8. a first metering device of the plurality of metering devices is connected to a first resource distribution line, and a second metering device of the plurality of metering devices is connected to a second resource distribution line connected upstream of the first resource distribution line; The method of claim 1.

9. Analyzing the measurements includes determining that the first metering device is more sensitive to measurements than measurements associated with other metering devices of the plurality of metering devices. determining that the measured value is associated with either (i) a low or (ii) a high measurement; The method of claim 1.

10. Analyzing the measurements is determining an average measurement from measurements associated with each of the plurality of metering devices; calculating, for a measurement value associated with each of the plurality of metering devices, a corresponding difference between the measurement value and an average measurement value; selecting includes identifying the first metering device as being associated with a smallest difference of all the differences; The method of claim 1.

11. Analyzing the measurements is obtaining an additional set of measurements from a plurality of metering devices; determining a respective measurement of volatility for each of the plurality of metering devices from each of the additional measurements; selecting comprises identifying the first metering device as being associated with a lowest volatility measurement among the volatility measurements. The method of claim 1.

12. The measurements comprise one or more of voltage, current, and phase; The method of claim 1.

13. receiving additional measurements from said Bellwether metering devices at a central system; determining that the additional measurements are below a threshold; and adjusting a regulator connected upstream of the Bellwether metering device if the additional measurements are determined to be below a threshold value; and The method of claim 1 further comprising:

14. The plurality of metering devices form an electrical group; The method comprises: Detecting a change in topology on a resource distribution network; Based on the topology changes, (i) adding an additional metering device to the electricity group; (ii) removing one of the plurality of metering devices from the electricity group; and and performing one or more of The method of claim 1 further comprising:

15. A device, comprising: a communications device configurable to connect to a personal area network; a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable program instructions; a processing device communicatively coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium for executing computer-executable program instructions; By executing the computer-executable program instructions, the processing device: receiving, via a communications device, from each of a plurality of metering devices on the personal area network at a first reporting rate, resource distribution network measurements obtained at each metering device; the device and the plurality of metering devices are within a predefined device group; analyzing measurements received from each of the plurality of metering devices; selecting a first metering device of the plurality of metering devices as a bellwether metering device for a first time period based on the analysis; receiving a first measurement value over a personal area network from the Bellwether metering device via the communications device at a second reporting rate faster than the first reporting rate; receiving second measurements at the first reporting rate via the communication device and from other ones of the plurality of metering devices; The device that is configured to run

16. selecting comprises transmitting a first signal to the first metering device instructing the first metering device to transmit the first measurement at the second reporting rate and transmitting a second signal to at least one other device instructing the at least one other device to transmit the second measurement at the first reporting rate.

16. The device of claim 15.

17. By executing the computer-executable program instructions, the processing device: analyzing the received first and second measurements at a first device; selecting, at the first device, a second metering device of the plurality of metering devices as the bellwether metering device for a second time period based on analyzing the first measurement and the second measurement; The device of claim 15 , configured to execute:

18. 1. A computer-implemented method for identifying Bellwether metering devices in a resource distribution network, the method comprising: receiving, over a personal area network in a communications network, from each of a plurality of metering devices on the personal area network at a first reporting rate, resource distribution network measurements obtained at each metering device; the plurality of metering devices being in a predefined device group; analyzing measurements received from each of the plurality of metering devices; selecting a first metering device of the plurality of metering devices as a bellwether metering device for a first time period based on the analysis; receiving a first measurement from said bellwether metering device over a personal area network at a second reporting rate faster than the first reporting rate; receiving second measurements at the first reporting rate over a personal area network and from other ones of the plurality of metering devices; A computer-implemented method comprising:

19. analyzing the received first measurement and the received second measurement; selecting, at a first device for a second time period, a second metering device of the plurality of metering devices as the bellwether metering device based on analyzing the first measurement and the second measurement; and 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

20. the plurality of metering devices form an electricity group; The method comprises: Detecting a change in topology on a resource distribution network; Based on the changes in Toporo, (i) adding an additional metering device to the electricity group; or (ii) removing one of the plurality of metering devices from the electricity group; and and performing one or more of The method of claim 15 further comprising:

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