Smart Metering

Key role of metering in energy markets

Metering and energy data management play a key role in today's energy markets. For instance, the acquisition and transmission of metering data is indispensable for customer billing, forecasting and supplier switching. Metering has grown in importance in recent years as a result of calls for increased energy competition and improved energy efficiency.

 

Advent of smart metering

The most widespread type of meter, the Ferraris disc or induction meter, has been in use for over a century. Today there is a new generation of electricity metering technology — "smart" meters. The development of this technology has been driven by improvements in information and communication technology. Unlike the purely analog Ferraris disc meter, smart meters have no mechanical parts and are entirely computerised.

Fig 1: smart meter

Smart meters dispense with on-site readings, as the metering data can be remotely read and automatically transmitted to the system operator. Smart meters also have a host of useful new features, such as bidirectional communication, load profile recording, multi-tariff metering and acquisition of supply quality data, that go far beyond the mere recording of electricity consumption.

Thanks to smart metering it has become possible to inform consumers in real or near real time of their actual energy use — for instance, via a web portal or external displays. This new development also paves the way for the introduction of flexible tariffs.
 

Roll-out of smart meters in Austria

Annex I of the new electricity directive that forms part of the 3rd energy package calls on Member States to implement "intelligent metering systems" to assist the active participation of consumers in the electricity supply market. Subject to a positive economic assessment of smart meters by Member States, the directive requires at least 80% of consumers to be equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020.

To meet the targets set by the directive, E-Control is working for a declaration of intent on roll-out by the electricity and gas industry associations. We have invited the VEÖ (Association of Austrian Electricity Companies) and FGW (Association of Gas- and District Heating Supply Companies) to make a joint statement on the nationwide, standardised introduction of smart electricity and gas metering in Austria. The aim of these talks is to reach a detailed agreement establishing the necessary targets in 2010.

If Austria is to adopt a transparent, open-ended and pro-competitive approach to smart metering that brings equal benefits to all consumers and market players, it will be vital to create a regulatory framework for nationwide standardisation of system specifications and functionality.

Some system operators in the electricity sector have gone ahead with smart metering projects without waiting for legislation, and some 40,000 smart meters are already in place on Austrian distribution networks.

Fig 2: Austrian system operators with ongoing smart metering projects

E-Control Ordinance Determining the Requirements for Smart Meters 2011

Contact details
If you have any questions or suggestions do not hesitate to contract us at smartmetering_strom@e-control.at.