Standards are being developed at international and European level, and the UK government is supporting trials leading to a massive roll out of Smart Meters - to be completed by 2020.

There is currently no specific definition of a Smart Meter, but the debate centres on a variety of devices with accurate and interactive measurement and control of energy systems. Naturally appliance manufacturers will have to ensure that future appliances will be compatible with any new system. And retailers selling appliances will have their role to play too.

So forget about the traditional role of the electricity or gas meter and start thinking about an electronic system that will manage your energy use.

Why should the Government care?

They will tell you it's beneficial to consumers to know how much energy they are consuming and because it's an essential part of reducing carbon emissions. But there are other underlying reasons why experts feel Smart Energy systems have an essential role to play in dealing with energy supply problems in the future.

Lets start with a few figures, all derived from Government Departments (DECC and BERR/BIS).

£100. This is the amount, on top of inflation, which an average annual household electricity bill went up by between 2004 and 2008 in England and Wales. So there is a greater awareness of cost.

32%. This is the proportion of UK electricity which will have to be generated from renewable sources by 2020 if we are to meet climate change targets. By 2008 we had barely reached 5.5%.

2016. This is the date when UK electricity demand is expected to exceed the capacity of existing power stations. New plants under construction will only delay this date to 2020.

47 GW. This is the amount of new generating capacity needed by 2020 to meet demand and also meet renewable generation targets. At present only 9 GW is under construction.

So Smart Energy systems can play a part in managing energy demand, particularly by ironing out the ‘peaks and troughs' through the day.

Potentially householders will be able to programme their appliances to operate at off peak times when energy is cheaper. There is some debate about whether the energy supplier would interact directly with individual appliances or whether the household meter would be the ‘smart' interpreter of the communication. Either way, appliances would only become active when energy is cheaper. You might fill your dishwasher after lunch, but it might not come on until later.

Electricity pricing for suppliers varies throughout the day as different sources of power are purchased from other suppliers or more costly generation is brought in. With the increasing use of fluctuating renewable energy sources this problem is predicted to get worse.

Unanswered questions

The idea of variable pricing for the consumer is not new. Variable tariffs were introduced some 40 years ago with Economy 7 at a time when night storage heaters and hot water boilers on a separate circuit were commonplace. But now with modern electronic communications there is increased scope for multiple variations in the price charged. There is no reason why prices could not change every hour or even half hour. Appliances can be programmed to only function below a certain energy price.

Well, think back 11 years and look at the huge steps forward in technology, particularly in communications.

Are there problems?

Yes, of course. Common standards will have to be drawn up and agreed. Communications networks would have to be improved. (Are you one of the many people who find their broadband connected computer performs slowly due to lack of cable capacity?) The cost of installing and maintaining Smart systems must be met; there is a feeling that energy suppliers will incorporate these into consumer bills.

There are even social and ethical questions to be addressed. Energy suppliers will gain a huge amount of information about the daily activities of individuals, starting with whether or not they are at home. There could also be noise issues if appliances are bursting into life in the middle of the night.

And finally, if you wake up in the morning and find your dishes still dirty will you be calling the manufacturer, the retailer or your utility company...

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---