Utility Metering

Campus utilities are provided in two ways:

1. Generated by the MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Power and Water Department (including electrical, steam and water).
2. Purchased from outside utility companies, such as Consumers Energy, Board of Water and Light, and the City of East Lansing.

Utility Meters are used to monitor the usage of electricity, steam, condensate, domestic water and natural gas.

A new resource for utility consumption and cost data is available on the Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Utility Billing website.

For Capital Projects:

• All meters will be provided by the Power Plant Metering Department.
  • Meters for generated utilities will be procured from suppliers.
  • Meters for purchased utilities will be procured from the outside Utility Company.
• Meters may be installed either by a Contractor or by MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, depending on the utility and type of project.

During Planning / Estimating

Responsibility of the Planner or Estimator:

• Contact the Power Plant Metering Department (Rick Johnson, ph. 517-884-7108, e-mail Rljohnso@pplant.msu.edu), to review requirements for adding or modifying utility metering at the project location.

During Design

Responsibilities of the Lead Designer or Project Manager:

• If not already addressed in an earlier planning or estimating phase, contact the Power Plant Metering Department to find out if the project location already has sufficient metering, or if new meters are required for the project.
• Discuss specific requirements and include appropriate language in the project specifications.
• Show a detail of the meter installation and show the location of the meter(s) on the drawing.
• Specify the connection point to the communication device necessary to collect data real time into the existing Power Plant data historian.
• Review the final documents with the Power Plant Metering Department prior to bidding the project.
• Review future utility cost usage charges with the Customer, if applicable.

Budget

The project budget will include the following line items:

• Budget Code 105 - Contracts (Construction)
  • Installation of steam and water meters by outside Contractor
• Budget Code 505 - Infrastructure Planning and Facilities - Maintenance
  • Installation of all meters by Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
  • Note: All electric meters to be installed by MSU, with Contractor installing all conduit and wiring necessary for connecting the meter to the communication device which collects data into the Power Plant database.
• Budget Code 555 - Infrastructure Planning and Facilities - Power and Water
  • Provide all meters for generated or purchased utilities.

During Construction

Responsibilities of the Project Manager:

• Include the Power Plant Metering Department representative in progress meetings when meters are discussed.
• Order all meters.
  • Note - Steam meters have delivery time of approximately 12 weeks, so order EARLY!
  • For Purchase Utility Meters, fill out the Utility Meter Installation Request (see link below or in Related Content) and submit to the PP Metering Representative.
• Coordinate delivery of all meters to the job site.
• Inspect the installation of all meters.

Responsibilities of the Power Plant Metering Department representative:

• Purchase meters.
• Perform functional performance test and final programming.
• Perform final wiring connections, programming, start-up and testing of metering devices.

Responsibilities of Building Performance Services:

• Physically inspect all meters and verify meter readings.

After Construction

Responsibilities of Building Performance Services - Preventive Maintenance:

• Enter preventive maintenance record, with frequency of once every 5 years on all meters. PM for meters will be charged to a Power Plant account.
• Maintain all meters, both within and beyond the warranty period.