BlueBridge Networks Ramps up its Ohio Cloud for American Municipal Power

CLEVELAND and COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) has announced the Borough of Ephrata as the first municipal to join the organization's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) program.

The Ephrata Borough Council approved the installment of nearly 7,000 smart meters in September and AMP executed its vendor contract in October. Deployment is scheduled to begin in early 2017, with anticipated completion in late spring 2017.

AMP continues to move forward with the subscription process for its AMI program. AMI enables utilities to deploy a wide range of technologies necessary to support "Smart City" operations, including advanced metering, street lighting control and distribution automation.

BlueBridge's Infrastructure services will enable AMP to scale its back office technology investment with the pace of member deployments.

AMP is a non-profit wholesale power supplier and services provider for 135 municipal electric utilities in nine states. Collectively, AMP members serve more than 650,000 customers.

"Beyond securing and managing power supply requirements, AMP continues to identify opportunities to better serve our members in a variety of innovative ways," said Marc Gerken, AMP president/CEO. "Our new AMI program is another example of how joint action, coupled with the transparency of an AMP-managed program, can benefit municipal utility operators."

The AMP Board of Trustees initiated a project to develop the AMI program in 2015 and members are collaborating to benefit from a shared service offering. Representatives from 11 communities, along with AMP staff, defined business requirements, reviewed request for information and request for proposal responses, and participated in workshops and vendor software demonstrations. The process engaged over 20 vendors of AMI technology and service providers, and the extensive research resulted in the selection of ElectSolve Technology Solutions & Services, Silver Spring Networks and BlueBridge Networks.

"BlueBridge is honored to support AMP and its Members. The Team AMP leadership has assembled will enable our Cloud Platform to facilitate a 'Smart City' approach to metering that is called for in the Digital Age," said Kevin Goodman, Managing Director, Partner, BlueBridge Networks.

"By aggregating the requirements of our members, AMP can use scale to bring top-tier technology to member communities," said Branndon Kelley, AMP's Chief Information Officer.

Kelley and Jared Price, AMP's Chief Technology Officer, have been charged with the AMI program's oversight.

According to Petar Bojovic, BlueBridge Networks Director of Operations, "in such a dynamic environment, we are providing cost effective agile solutions that will allow rapid scale for growth as well as fine tuning services based on Members Utility Requirements. There are numerous stakeholders involved in a successful deployment. BlueBridge has built a solid foundation in our Cloud Platform for AMP to launch and grow in an effective manner."

AMP's AMI program reduces both costs and risks by enabling members to acquire meters and communications components under an aggregated purchasing agreement with its vendor/partners. The program provides the back office applications, IT infrastructure and supporting staff as a shared service. AMP's AMI program will maximize value to participating members by providing overall program and individual deployment oversight.

SOURCE BlueBridge Networks

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