In this post I would like to highlight the smart meter which is also an integral part of the Smart Grid infrastructure. The smart meters are making its way to all household in the near future. The UK government has unveiled its plans to equip all homes in Britian by 2020. It is estimated that 22 million gas meters and 26 million electric meters are to be fitted at £7 billion pounds.
The system architecture of a smart meter shall allow remote two way communications from head end systems to the local system through the WAN (Wide Area Network) via a local comms hub. This comms hub combines local and remote communicating technology. This system may also include an IHD (In Home Display) that may communicate with each meter and/or the comms hub. Such local communications are via a Home Area Network (HAN). The system shall support multiple gas and electricity meters (up to 4 supply meters) and shall also support a single fuel meter configurations. In the scenario where there are multiple meters, there will be one IHD.
The long term benefits of the smart meters are :
- More modern approach
- No estimated reading
- Accurate billing
- No need for a meter reader to visit the home or for the customer to take their own reading.
http://www.centrica.com/files/pdf/29032010_smart_metering_part_1.pdf
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8389880.stm
Things are shaping up. I look forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteHello Depak
ReplyDeleteWhat is this exactly? I have seen a small digital meter in my parents house in the UK, which shows the output of power when electricity or Gas it turned on. My father pointed out a dramatic surge when putting the kettle on, for example. He explained it worked with a wireless connection to a meter outside. It displayed the use in real time as well as the cost history. Is this the same thing?
Hello Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteYes, that should be the Energy Smart Meter , which helps to monitor,control and compare the usage of energy in your household.
We can submit the meter reading online,via iPhone app or SMS.