Meter Configuration

Meter configurations depend upon the purpose of onsite generation and the rates applicable for your service.

• Emergency generation does not operate in parallel with our electrical system or displace purchases. It does not require any additional metering beyond the metering that is required if generation was not installed.
  
  
• Small power-producing facilities do operate in parallel with our electrical system and require Detroit Edison to provide standby power to the facility when the generating unit is not operating. These facilities require meters capable of recording power demand in kilowatts (kW), energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and reactive energy in kilovar-hours (kVARh). At a minimum, meters are required measuring inflow to the facility and outflow from the facility. In some instances generation metering and/or auxiliary power metering may be used.
  
  
• Cogeneration, peak demand generation, dispersed generation and regenerative dynamometer generation may or may not operate in parallel with our electrical system. Cogeneration and peak demand generation require Detroit Edison to provide standby power to the facility when the generating unit is not operating at its full capability. Dispersed generation requires us to pay you for operating your generation unit at our request. These facilities require meters capable of recording power demand in kilowatts (kW), energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and reactive energy in kilovar-hours (kVARh). Typically meters are required measuring inflow to the facility and generator output. If energy flows back to the system, outflow metering is also required. In the rare instance where typical metering configuration is not practical, we will work with the customer to develop alternate meter configurations.
  
  
• Distributed generation must operate in parallel with our system. If energy does not flow back to the system, no additional metering is required beyond what would be required if generation was not installed. If energy can flow back to the system, outflow metering is required. Outflow metering is the same type of metering used to meter inflow.
  
  
• Renewable generation may require meters measuring inflow to the facility, generator output and energy flows back to the system, or may only require inflow and outflow metering depending on the electrical rate option chosen.