Technical Challenges of the Smart Meter Programme

Simon HarrisonProject Architect – SRSM Project.

SMDG SG1 & SG3 member. STEG member.Principal Consultant – Engage Consulting

BRE Workshop 30.11.10

Delivering Smart Metering for GB is a

MASSIVE

technical challenge

This is every home (and small business) in the

country over 30 million premises Smart

Metering Goes HERE

A rapid roll out to replace every* meter in the country

* Except the biggest ones

Over 30 million premises

Over 50 million meters

Over 100 million smart metering components

There has to be a reliable, economic & secure connection to every home

Smart metering system components need to communicate effectively within every home

Fit & ‘Forget’ or

even ‘Customer Proof’System has to work seamlessly – can’t reboot a meter if it stops working

Smart meters shouldn’t need visits

Meters are constant through

Changes of CustomerChanges of SupplierChanges of KitchenChanges of technology

Ideally no visits & no changes to physical

equipment for over 15 years

But not one-size fits all

So, meters need to be interoperable. Technically, Operationally and Commercially.

Technical

Challenges boil

down to:

Ones that are there already

Ones created by

making metering

smart

Ones that will arise

from future application

s

Some current metering is very complicated - particularly electricity

We’re not planning on changing wires or heating systems just for smart

Some metering is in awkward places – customers

build round them – they’re not pretty things in warm or light places.

Just about OK for a meter reader to visit twice a year

Not ideal to encourage customers to take an interest

Smart meters come with modems to connect to the outside world – maybe an extra bland plastic box

Some of these might be very small. Others may

need a bit more roomSpace is a luxury – as is the time to do the work

Smart Meters, and their little radios, have to work in every kind of home:

Medieval wallsFoil insulationInterferenceOther things radios love

Radios are not magic – sometimes a wire or repeater will be needed

NOT QUITE MAGIC !

Customer Using Energy

Meters

Smart metering has to live in the real world

Gas meters need batteries – modern

ones that last for years and years Not economic to visit to change batteries for every meter

Can’t let customers decide

what batteries need to be

used for !

Getting a signal to every meter point will not bestraightforward

Programme is defining services and service level agreements for a

new national monopoly to provide the data connection to every metering point that will have a smart meter

Future is not yet written, but…

we think we know that

Environmental concerns will not go awayMicrogeneration will become more widespreadSmart Grids will rise in prominence

Smart metering will need to support as yet unknown future applications

Interoperability is the key

What about the

Customers?Without their effective engagement –

this fails

Customers are concerned that:

Meters are safe

Data is privateThis all works and doesn’t break anything else

This doesn’t cost too

much money

Nobody knows anything

The market will find the right way to inform customers about energy

Minimum definition to allow for maximum innovation

WOW, this is sounding

IMPOSSIBLE (& expensive)

However, confidence is HIGH

Over 40 Million

Over 60 Million

Installed

already

The British Roll Out of Smart Metering might

well be the largest, into the most complex market, but -technically – these are just communicating meters

Don’t want to steal Howard’s thunder..but

By July the programme will have

defined public interoperable specifications for smart metering system components

1st Use Case Working Group this week – Retailers, Networks, Supply Chain

All work is intended to be as transparent as possible – check the Ofgem E-Serve website

Programme is working on defining & procuring the central Data Communications Company to provide the connection to the home

And roll out plans, customer education, security policies…

What about you guys?

The Programme wants to work with you on some of the issues it is

facing:

“What’s the best way to incorporate

smart meters into new

buildings?”“How can we

facilitate networked

communications?”

“What’s the best way to

work with foil insulation and little radios”

I’m here to find some help –

get your business cards

ready!

Thanks

simon.harrison@engage-consulting.co.uk

Picture Credits-flickr.com/slipstreamJC - flickr.com/markhillary-flickr.com/spodzone - flickr.com/splorp-flickr.com/daveknapik - flickr.com/rajput piccision-flickr.com/frozenminds - flickr.com/derailedbythedtrain-flickr.com/davefishernc - flickr.com/velvettangerine-flickr.com/markramsay - flickr.com/cliff1066-flickr.com/bufcorephil - flickr.com/jontintinjordan-flickr.com/nilexuk - flickr.com/techiekev-flickr.com/stefan - flickr.com/mart!n-flickr.com/complexify -flickr.com/yewenyi-flickr.com/f1rstborn