SCE utilized systems engineering in its approach to identify business needs and develop systems requirements for its smart metering program, Edison SmartConnect. The first step in this approach is to develop use cases. SCE partnered with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to use the Inteligrid Use Case framework as the starting point for SCE's independent development of use cases. EPRI then translated the SCE use cases back into the Inteligrid repository for industry use.
What is a Use Case?
A use case results from the application of a rigorous method for identifying necessary functionality and vendor product requirements. The use cases developed by SCE for its AMI project placed particular emphasis on how the advanced metering system will be used when deployed.
SCE's Use Case Process
Instead of being constrained by existing product design, the SCE process focused on usage-based requirements to achieve a functional goal. SCE's intent was to clearly define the desired requirements, leaving vendors to freely come up with innovative solutions as part of the vendor's system design efforts.
Open Innovation
SCE is interested in encouraging the open development of smart meter/smart grid uses and related technology, so that we can better meet the needs of our customers and improve our operational efficiency and safety. It is in this spirit of open innovation that SCE is providing the AMI use cases to other utilities, for their potential use.
Notwithstanding the care that SCE used in the preparation of these use cases, the use cases were developed solely with SCE's specific requirements in mind and so SCE does not warrant or guarantee that these use cases will be useful for other utilities that are interested in implementing an advanced metering solution.
Use Case License Agreement
To preserve SCE's own ability to utilize the use cases (and to allow others to use them as described herein), SCE took the precautionary step of filing a patent application for the AMI Use Cases with the U.S. Patent Office. In our efforts to continue to promote open innovation, SCE solicited industry comments to help draft and offer a non-exclusive royalty-free license for others to use the AMI Use Cases, including for any patent that issues thereon, under the terms and conditions described below.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about SCE's Patent Application.
Download a printable copy of the use case license agreement (PDF).
Contact SCE
While not required, SCE does encourage you to make similar information available to the industry, and thereby participate in the advancement of this technology. We also welcome feedback on the sefulness of the Use Cases.
If you need to discuss this license agreement with someone at SCE, please send us a note at edisonsmartconnectbiz@sce.com, and we will contact you directly.