Smart electricity metering as an energy efficiency instrument: Comparative analyses of regulation and market conditions in Europe

Andrei Z. Morch, SINTEF Energiforskning AS, Norway
John Parsons, BEAMA Limited, United Kingdom
Josco C. P. Kester, Energy Research Centre of Netherlands (ECN), The Netherlands

Keywords

smart metering, energy efficiency, public policy, innovative , energy-saving products

Abstract

The new European Directive on Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services (ESD) (EC 2006/32, 2006) states the importance of installing metering and billing systems allowing consumers to regulate and steer their consumption. Extra information provided by these “Smart Meters”, is proposed as an important technological innovation to improve energy efficiency. In the next few years the European energy markets will face a challenging task – implementation of Smart Metering systems for small and middle-size customers. The public policies and implementation paths of Smart Metering today vary across Europe from full-scale implementation to very limited.

Implementation of Smart Metering systems provides a technological basis, which makes it possible to implement new market-based products and services encouraging the Final Customers to save energy. Electricity suppliers and Distribution System Operators play a key role in a full utilisation of the energy saving potential from Smart Metering, but need a benefit for doing this. These new market opportunities could provide this benefit.