If you are regular readers of my blog, you will know that we are currently testing out the British Gas Smart Meter and you can read about our progress here.
Did you know that Britain is not the only country upgrading homes with new energy and home management technologies; many others are also adopting new solutions to increase energy efficiency in the home in the hopes of creating a more sustainable future.
From a worldwide perspective smart meters are revolutionising the way we see and consume energy with common goals such as reducing carbon emissions, enabling a more efficient energy demand-supply model and providing innovative services for consumers and consumer empowerment over their homes.
What is happening around the world?
One of the most successful cases comes from Italy where more than 94% of Italian households now have smart meters – an incredible 37 million households (the worlds biggest roll out yet)!
What is happening closer to home?
Conservative forecasts estimate that between 90 and 130 million meters will be installed worldwide every year until 2022, with initiatives underway around the world.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration1, in 2011, more than 23% of all U.S. electrical customers had smart meters.
Customer-Led Network Revolution
Northern Powergrid is implementing a Customer-Led Network Revolution (CLNR) programme to trial a number of smart grid solutions and energy efficient technologies such as solar PV panels, heat pumps, electric vehicles and the installation of 14,000 smart meters in the North East and Yorkshire.
The programme will also deploy new technology on the electricity network and implement commercial solutions such as tariffs and different pricing structures.
Northern Powergrid aims to create a successful and beneficial smart grid solution. CLNR is trialing ‘time-of-use’ tariffs to encourage the use of electricity during off peak periods.
Ireland
Throughout 2009 and 2010 Ireland carried out large-scale trial across the country with 5,000 customers for both electricity and gas. The end objective was to see a 2% decrease in energy usage. Customers were thoroughly assessed in terms of aptitude for and response to all elements of smart metering. Irish customers responded positively to the smart meter trial, both in aptitude and in behaviour.
Overall, customers succeeded in reducing their electricity consumption and bills. The positive response is due to control and visibility over usage and the implementation of Time of Use tariffs allowing customers the ability to reduce costs.
In July 2012 the Commission of Energy Regulation announced its final decision to approve the rollout of smart meters between 2014 and 2019, following the successful trial.
Smart Meters are expected to yield a net benefit to Ireland of up to €282 million over the next 15-20 years.
I do think that Smart Meters are the way forward and I can honestly say that they have made us more focussed on our energy consumption – Are you committing these seven energy sins? I do wish we had taken the Government incentive for Solar Panels when they were free as we would be saving even more and certainly cannot afford to have them installed now.
With the roll out of Smart Meters I do hope that it will have positive impact on energy charges. Not only is it saving energy in the home, but it is more convenient too as meter readings and energy plans can be updated electronically. London alone is on course to save £219m though the smart meter revolution.
Smart Meters are also being tested by some MumsNet bloggers and you can read more about their journey here.
If we had the money to build our own house, I would definitely take some advice from the Top energy saving homes on Grand Designs – wonder if I can persuade Kevin McCloud to come and visit too?
I am definitely going to click through to the 7 energy sins. I am sure we have our heating on too often. This was a very interesting read, great to hear what Italy and Ireland (where all my family are) are up to xx
interesting to see how the countries are all getting on. I could definitely improve!
I am off to see what sins I am committing dusts off halo
It sounds like a good idea. I’m surprised about Italy though, I’d have thought there’d be a lot of resistance to smart meters there.
I am obsessed with saving energy and have jumpers, socks and blankets in every room so we don’t have to have the heating turned up full blast.
Our energy meter has made us far more aware of how much we spend too.
xx
really interesting to read what other countries are doing! x
We had a letter earlier in the year about having a smart meter fitted but haven’t heard anything since. Hope we get it soon as I could really do with reducing the monthly payment, that’s just gone up again. It’ll be very interesting to know how much my new electric cooker is actually costing (we used to have a gas one) and whether we ought to sell it and go back to gas.
I’m on a steep learning curve since we moved house as there is no gas here so we have to buy heating oil. I think smart meters are a great idea, learning about our energy use can only be a helpful thing.