Smart features

Smart meters are to mutual benefit for utility and consumer. The smart meter makes a greener difference.

The really brilliant thing about the smart meter is that it removes the cumbersome task of collecting data from utility and from the consumer; and at the same time it makes both parties focus on the actually interesting subject, namely analyzing data – from the utility’s viewpoint for a more efficient grid operation and from the consumers viewpoint for a more energy efficient consumption pattern.

1. Communication
If the meter is integrated in an automated meter reading system, it must of course be able to communicate with the data management system which is placed on a server either at the utility or at the system provider. In case the utility uses two different providers for meters and system, the meters must be interoperable, in other words they must speak the same language as the system. Interoperability requires a kind of communication standard as for instance the DLMS (Device Language Message Specification).

The utility can opt for a one-way communication (an AMR-solution) where consumption data are transmitted directly to the utility’s central system; or they can choose two-way communication which gives the utility a comprehensive control of the meter with the possibility of enhanced customer services like the smart disconnect and remote upgrade of software.

A customized meter

The meter itself consists of two hardware parts: a certified and sealed metering construction and a separate module area. The module area gives the meter a flexibility in regard to the various communication media and which system software to interact with.

It is therefore not possible to give a full description of the smart meter because it is customized according to the needs and wishes of the energy distributor. Instead we will on this site list some of the main functions in order to give at least an idea of, what a smart meter can do and how the utility as well as the private energy consumer may benefit from the intelligent residential electricity meter.

2. Smart disconnect/reconnect
The disconnect/reconnect relay allows the utility to switch off the power remotely and to switch the power back on.

3. Tamper protection
The smart meter is tamper free. Tamper detection is integrated as a real time clock will stamp any breaking of the seal.

4. Voltage quality
Voltage levels are measured and recorded providing the energy distributor with valuable information to perform an efficient grid operation.

5. Load profile
The Utility may also take advantage of the recorded load profile data and four quadrant measuring for optimization of the grid load.

6. Shunt measuring principle
The shunt measuring principle secures an accurate measuring of consumed energy.

7. Tariffing
Using different tariffs is another way of levelling out the power demand and reducing peaks during the day. Cheaper tariffs at other times than peak loads in the morning and in the afternoon will help the utilities in shortening the so called ‘spinning reserve’ (the spinning reserve is the extra capacity needed in case of an immediately occurring load demand; of course the spinning reserve is wasted energy).

Many countries use two tariffs. The Green Difference smart meter is capable of registering electric energy in up to eight tariffs. Cost differentiation is an efficient means of changing consumer behaviour.

8. Energy awareness
One of the great achievements about the smart meter is that it makes it a lot easier for the consumer to follow his energy consumption.

By means of data logging functionalities the consumer can get access to stored data and compare the consumption from day to day or month to month. She can even watch live the consumption curve declining as she switches off the electrically heated towel rack.

Furthermore via home control systems the consumption data can be transmitted to other kinds of displays in the living area as for instance the computer desktop.

Double movement – mutual benefit
On one side the physical presence of the utility at the customer’s residence almost totally vanishes with the introduction of the smart meter; on the other side the smart meter effectively brings energy awareness to the consumer giving the utility an even stronger presence in the mind of the consumer as a customer of the utility’s services.

But there is still a gap to fill out between what the smart power meter is presently equipped with and what features it actually can contain. We are facing a technology which is in fact much more advanced than what is required by the utilities.

For instance home automation systems are still awaiting large scale implementation although the residential digital meter is fully capable of integrating into a home control system thanks to the modular construction.
Automatically switching the washing machine on at night when power is cheap, and switching the lights off at daytime when the house is empty, is no longer a technological challenge. But there are still some political and cultural barriers to be overcome.