subject: Why Go For Smart Metering? [print this page] In a way, smart meters are intelligent devices with the possibility of saving consumers hundreds of thousands in Euros of energy. Smart meters are measuring devices used to record the consumption of energy, be it in the form of electricity or natural gas, in intervals of one hour or less. The information is then communicated to the utility company for monitoring, billing and even evaluating purposes. Many benefits can be derived from the use of smart meters. These benefits are applicable to both the consumers and the utility company, said benefits of which are discussed in brief below.
Faster Outage Detection:
Smart meters make two-way communication between these devices and the central systems possible. The information from the smart meters, which are in a remote location, is communicated in real-time to the central system, which is not possible with traditional metering systems. This property translates to faster detection of outages even in remote areas that, in turn, facilitates faster restoration of services. In a society where almost every activity is directly or indirectly dependent on electricity, this means lesser disruptions and losses.
Greater Control:
When smart meters are combined with time-based rates, consumers can exercise greater control over their energy usage. The combination provides for a wide range of tariff plans for consumers to choose from and we all know how more choices often mean better deals for end users of energy. Smart metering coupled with time-based rates also has another less well-known benefit. Consumers can choose to lower their demand for electricity during the peak periods, which is usually during summer afternoons for obvious reasons. Again, the matter of greater control comes into play here.
Informed Decisions:
Smart meters also provide many opportunities for consumers to make cost-efficient decisions. The bases for said decisions are, of course, the highly detailed information provided by smart meters about hourly usage and costs of energy. For example, you can choose to turn off certain electrical appliances in your home at certain hours because these add up on your electricity bill. Analysis of your bill using the smart metering system will partly reveal such information. In short, you can adjust your energy usage based on factual information instead of just approximations.
You can even set a predetermined threshold for your energy consumption and then compare it with your actual energy usage. This way, you can pinpoint where your eco-friendly energy scheme will need fine-tuning. Engineers are even working toward a system where consumers will receive text alerts that notify the latter about exceeding their energy threshold.
Environmental Protection:
Smart meters also help the environment albeit in an indirect manner. With less consumption of energy, there will be lesser need to build new power plants. The money can then be used to upgrade older plants to make these structures more efficient. Consumers also benefit via lower energy costs. Take note that the costs of building new plants are passed on to the end consumer.
Smart metering is the wave of the future in the present. It may not be as prevalent as the traditional metering system but consumers and utility companies alike are working hard to reverse the tide. You can help, too, by looking into the possibility of smart meters in your home or office.
