{"id":1581,"date":"2020-05-19T23:50:13","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T23:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.regalgrid.com\/magazine\/smart-meter-scopri-come-funzionano-i-contatori-intelligenti\/"},"modified":"2024-09-25T13:18:53","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T13:18:53","slug":"smart-meter-discover-how-smart-meters-work","status":"publish","type":"magazine","link":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/magazine\/smart-meter-discover-how-smart-meters-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart meters: how do they work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>Smart meters<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0are\u00a0<strong>intelligent measurement devices<\/strong>\u00a0that allow\u00a0<strong>precise<\/strong>\u00a0electricity, gas and water\u00a0<strong>consumption data<\/strong>\u00a0to be recorded. In the case of electricity, these devices create a\u00a0<strong>communication network between the various nodes\u00a0<\/strong>of the\u00a0<strong>smart grid<\/strong>, monitoring incoming and outgoing energy flows for users with a renewable energy system, and optimising the system with two-way communication for users connected to a digital energy community with Regalgrid\u2019s SNOCU unit.<\/p>\n<p>The race to install smart meters is picking up pace across the world. According to the Power &amp; Renewables report published by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.woodmac.com\/our-expertise\/focus\/Power--Renewables\/ami_h12020_2\/?utm_source=gtm&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=wmpr_amih12020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">research company Wood Mackenzie<\/a>, between now and 2025, utility companies will invest over $ 30 billion for installation of over 300 million smart meters. This will bring the number of installed devices to 1.3 billion.<\/p>\n<p>But why are they so important? And above all: how do they work?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Smart metering<\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Smart metering\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>as a principle allows\u00a0<strong>energy efficiency<\/strong>\u00a0strategies to be established. In fact, smart measuring and monitoring of consumption data is essential not only for service companies distributing energy and gas, but also for consumers, allowing them to be more aware and, consequently, more active in improving their own energy efficiency. As technology makes it increasingly smart and economic, this monitoring is also becoming accessible for end users.<\/p>\n<p>These systems offer numerous advantages for all parties:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reduction in management costs<\/strong>\u00a0for readings and contracts, now controlled remotely<\/li>\n<li>Increased\u00a0<strong>frequency<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0<strong>readings<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Grid\u00a0<strong>monitoring\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>optimisation<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0<strong>maintenance<\/strong>\u00a0in the case of losses<\/li>\n<li>Possibility of free market competition<\/li>\n<li><strong>User awareness<\/strong>\u00a0of consumption and wastage, provided by real-time metering of consumption and relative analysis using optimisation algorithms such as those offered by Regalgrid<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improved energy habits<\/strong>\u00a0and increased energy savings<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduced energy costs<\/strong>\u00a0for the user.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h2>How does a smart meter work?<\/h2>\n<p>Using a pre-defined\u00a0<strong>protocol<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>new-generation smart meters<\/strong>\u00a0record total energy consumption and the quantities consumed through the day for each day of the week. A two-way communication system sends data electronically using\u00a0<strong>radio<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>PLC<\/strong>\u00a0technology (transmission of information via the electricity network using waves sent through Power Line Communication). This allows data to reach the distribution company, which verifies it and sends it on to the seller within 24-30 hours.<\/p>\n<p>To understand the true potential and benefits we need to take a quick look at the evolution of smart meters.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Smart meters in Europe<\/h2>\n<p>In\u00a0<strong>Italy<\/strong>, the interest in smart meters began well before the race towards energy digitalisation that we are currently seeing. It was the\u00a0<strong>first country in Europe<\/strong>\u00a0to introduce these devices. In\u00a0<strong>2001<\/strong>, energy distribution companies began large-scale use of\u00a0<strong>first-generation<\/strong>\u00a0electronic smart meters on their own initiative, installing them for low-voltage end customers. From 2007, this became mandatory and the changeover was completed in 2011. In the meantime,\u00a0<strong>Sweden<\/strong>\u00a0was the only country to join in this innovative move, installing the new devices between 2003 and 2009.<\/p>\n<p>The positive impact of first-generation smart meters was revolutionary at the time. Finally, it was possible to take actual hour-by-hour readings on a monthly basis (<strong>remote readings<\/strong>) grouped by time bands, in addition to performing\u00a0<strong>remote management\u00a0<\/strong>actions. These two aspects allowed a\u00a0<strong>reduction in management costs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The next countries to join the trend were\u00a0<strong>Finland\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>Malta<\/strong>\u00a0(2009), followed by\u00a0<strong>Spain<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Austria<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Poland<\/strong>\u00a0(2011-2012). All the other European states only started to get involved following\u00a0<strong>European Parliament Directive 2012\/27\/EU<\/strong>\u00a0on energy efficiency. In the\u00a0<strong>UK<\/strong>, installation began in 2015 and should be completed this year.<\/p>\n<p>In\u00a0<strong>Italy<\/strong>, the European directive was adopted by upgrading the features of meters, resulting in a new version, the\u00a0<strong>second-generation<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>(2G) meters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>These new meters allowed a series of goals to be achieved:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>an increase in\u00a0<strong>efficiency of readings and management<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>an increase in\u00a0<strong>the level of consumption detail<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>availability of readings to sellers within 24 hours<\/li>\n<li>the possibility for customers to\u00a0<strong>consult data in real time<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>the option for\u00a0<strong>notifications<\/strong>\u00a0to be sent by the meter\u00a0<strong>in the case of anomalies<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h2>The benefits of a smart meter<\/h2>\n<p>These digital devices offer numerous advantages compared to the first-generation technology, including\u00a0<strong>high-performance for long periods of time<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>integration of each household into a smart grid<\/strong>\u00a0supporting the development of ever smarter cities.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a detailed look at the benefits of 2G smart meters for our day-to-day lives.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<h3>Lower bills based on actual consumption<\/h3>\n<p>A high number of precise readings (one every two minutes) and sending of detailed readings to the operator (once every 15 minutes) means that bills are no longer based on estimates and balances but on real consumption figures.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Flexible tariffs<\/h3>\n<p>Again thanks to this real-time metering, sellers can\u00a0<strong>calibrate tariffs\u00a0<\/strong>using a maximum of six price bands. Ideally, it will be possible to have a personalised tariff based on your style of consumption.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Grid stability<\/h3>\n<p>Constant readings offer the chance to identify and manage\u00a0<strong>consumption peaks<\/strong>\u00a0and analyse consumption based on various categories, supporting greater\u00a0<strong>grid stability<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Swift meter servicing<\/h3>\n<p>It will no longer be necessary to telephone for servicing and maintenance from a mobile technician, with operations instead being performed remotely by the distribution company.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Precise management of the supply contract<\/h3>\n<p>Very detailed metering and transmission of data allow correct management of contracts in the event of moving to a new house, transferring a contract to another name or resolving possible disputes regarding inaccurate charges.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Daily monitoring of consumption<\/h3>\n<p>2G smart meters allow daily monitoring of consumption but still do not support dialogue with the end user. Specifically, aggregation of data on a quarter-hourly basis does not permit detailed networked operations for systems that require far quicker reactivity. For this purpose, smart meters can be connected with third-party\u00a0<strong>communication devices<\/strong>\u00a0that use platforms allowing customers access via web or smartphone. One such device is\u00a0<strong>Regalgrid&#8217;s SNOCU unit<\/strong>, that also interfaces with a certified meter, permitting real-time monitoring of consumption levels and offering the user the possibility to adapt their behaviour for greater energy savings.<br \/>\nIt is the real-time management and two-way communication capabilities of the SNOCU units that make them the perfect candidate to become the nodes of a digital, interconnected global energy grid. This will make it possible to increase consumption of energy from renewables sufficiently to meet the UN Agenda 2030 targets, demonstrating the product\u2019s central role in establishing a sustainable energy future.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Smart meters<\/h2>\n<p>Therefore,\u00a0<strong>2G electronic meters<\/strong>\u00a0are not the only smart meters available. We automatically think of these devices, given the global roll-out in progress, but\u00a0<strong>measurement devices manufactured and certified by third parties\u00a0<\/strong>for the end user are another option. These smart meters can be integrated directly with an existing meter or connected to it in the case of traditional meters, allowing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/magazine\/monitoring-of-consumption-and-generation-of-electricity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>monitoring<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and tracking of your consumption\u00a0<strong>in real time\u00a0<\/strong>and without information being filtered via the energy supplier. This awareness becomes even more detailed if you are also equipped with smart appliances or smart plugs.<\/p>\n<p>This is clear if you are the owner of a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/magazine\/impianto-fotovoltaico-con-accumulo-vantaggi-e-costi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>photovoltaic system<\/strong>\u00a0and even more so if you own a\u00a0<strong>storage system<\/strong><\/a>. Your meter not only reads your\u00a0<strong>consumption<\/strong>\u00a0but also your\u00a0<strong>production\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>storage\u00a0<\/strong>data. A\u00a0<strong>SNOCU<\/strong>\u00a0unit with an appropriate license will give you access to all performance details for the various devices, allowing you to advance to the next level and\u00a0<strong>actively control\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>programme them remotely according\u00a0<\/strong>to your needs.<\/p>\n<p>Until now, we have had to hand over awareness and responsibility for metering to third parties, but now is the time to take back control and embrace the responsible use of renewable energy.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":4477,"parent":0,"template":"","category-magazine":[42],"class_list":["post-1581","magazine","type-magazine","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-magazine-smart-eco-and-sustainability"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazine\/1581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazine"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/magazine"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazine\/1581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4479,"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazine\/1581\/revisions\/4479"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category-magazine","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regalgrid.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category-magazine?post=1581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}