Sustainability & Environment
For generations to come
Smart meters
Smart meters are the next generation of electricity meters. They offer the potential for:
- Remote operation
- Remote meter reading
- Real time pricing
- New tariff options and demand side management (DSM)
- An interface with home area networks (HAN)
They also have the potential to act as intelligent nodes on the electricity system.
Using smart meters will supply uniquely valuable information to improve our management of voltage, supply quality, outages and networks assets.
How do they work?
Smart meters are simply intelligent two-way communications devices with digital real time power measurement.
They work by:
- Monitoring and recording the amount of electricity used and when it is used - capturing patterns of energy usage throughout the day
- This data is communicated directly to the electricity supply company
- In turn, householders learn how much energy they are using and how to reduce costs
Rolling out smart metering
Roll out of smart metering is expensive and complex, and decisions on functionality are critical.
The challenges are complex - the final system should ideally:
- Be able to integrate with existing enterprise systems and emerging smart networks systems and have a lifespan of 15 -20 years.
- Incorporate open standards and interoperability between meter and system vendors
- Be capable of handling the massive data flows and high levels of cyber security
The Smart Meters Project
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is leading the implementation of a smart meters project involving stakeholders from the energy sector.
So far, ESB Networks has installed 10,000 meters throughout the country and provided over 1000 in-home displays, as part of our smart metering trial.
This trial will determine the best technology option for ESB, and includes the installation of in-home displays as part of our smart metering trial.
This trial will help stakeholders understand how information, incentives and new services supported by smart meters could best help customers manage their use of electricity. As smart metering is a relatively new and evolving technology we are also using the trials to look at how different communications technologies could deliver these services. A final decision on the timing and nature of the full roll out of smart meters will be made by CER in 2011.