Smart gas meters: assessment of customer response to improved information about their energy consumption

Panel: 7. Monitoring and evaluation

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Roch Drozdowski, GrDF, France
Marion Vandamme, GrDF, France

Abstract

By paving the way for a massive roll-out of smart metering systems, the European Commission raises the question of their impact on household energy consumption. Could smart meters play a significant role in improving customers’ understanding of their energy use and thus promote action to reduce energy consumption? Studies have mainly focused on electricity consumption and the impact of real-time feedback, which are in some cases linked to demand-response programs. Few have been addressing the impact on gas consumption.

In order to build a step-by-step understanding of customer response to improved information about their energy consumption through the use of smart gas meters, we develop a methodology taking into consideration [1] improved information available to the customers at no additional cost [2] new services enabled through the use of gas smart meters [3] improved information to be provided to third parties such as local authorities or social landlords.

In the France case study, we base ourselves both on field tests carried out by GrDF, focusing on 18,500 smart meters and a comprehensive survey conducted among 400 households, and statistics provided by the French Environment and Energy Agency (ADEME). Even with a conservative approach, this assessment points to increased impact on gas savings of the deployment of gas smart meters compared to the French Energy Regulator (CRE)’s first theory-based assessment. Thus, energy conservation is becoming the main rationale to justify an overall roll-out of gas smart meters to every consumer in France.