What Is OSOS?

What Is OSOS?

OSOS (Automatic Meter Reading System) is the system that enables electricity distribution companies to read subscribers' meter data remotely and automatically. In Türkiye, it is mandated by distribution companies under EPDK regulation.

Before OSOS, meter readings were performed manually on a monthly basis. With OSOS, meters are typically read at 15-minute intervals, and the data is transmitted to the distribution company's central system.

How Does OSOS Work?

The OSOS infrastructure consists of three layers:

• Smart meter: An electronic meter equipped with a PLC (Power Line Communication), GPRS, or RF communication module. It produces 15-minute index and instantaneous consumption data.
• Data collection unit (DCU/Concentrator): Collects data from multiple meters and forwards it to the center. A single DCU typically manages 100-500 meters.
• MDMS (Meter Data Management System): The software layer at the distribution company's central system that processes, stores, and reports the data.

The Difference Between OSOS and an Industrial EMS

OSOS is designed for the distribution company's own billing and grid-monitoring needs. The data a subscriber can see is limited; real-time access is unavailable or restricted.

An industrial EMS (such as Argus EMS), by contrast, is deployed for the subscriber's own needs:

• Real-time monitoring of kW, kVAr, PF, voltage, and current
• Intervals shorter than 15-minute granularity (down to 1 minute)
• Monitoring of additional equipment such as transformers, UPS units, and generators
• EPDK reactive penalty calculation and prevention
• Budget forecasting and automated billing
• Alarm engine and proactive notifications

Can OSOS Data Be Used in an EMS?

Some distribution companies make OSOS data available through a subscriber portal. This data can be used for budget planning and bill verification. However, it is not sufficient for real-time monitoring, reactive penalty prevention, or equipment-level analysis.

Argus EMS combines both its own Field Agent readings and OSOS/external bill data to deliver a comprehensive energy overview.

OSOS Requirement and Scope

Under EPDK's ruling in Türkiye:

• Subscribers exceeding the eligible-consumer threshold (above 10 MWh per year) fall within the scope of OSOS
• Active/reactive consumption, 15-minute indexes, and contracted-power tracking are mandatory
• Distribution companies are completing their AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) rollout during the 2023-2025 period

Summary

OSOS is a distribution-company-originated, grid-focused system. For energy savings, reactive penalty prevention, and budget optimization, you need to deploy your own EMS. Argus EMS also integrates the bill data provided by OSOS to deliver a unified energy management overview.