Install smart meter chips now

                                                                                                             JUNE 27, 2009

Install smart meter chips now so appliance manufacturers and consumers can follow suit, says EMANZ

Do it once, do it right, do it now.

That’s the message from the Energy Management Association (EMANZ), which says it’s imperative that smart metering technology be as smart as possible, as soon as possible.

“This is a one shot infrastructure roll out,” said EMANZ executive officer, Ewan Gebbie.

“We must use this opportunity to improve information to consumers and establish control systems that allow them to automatically respond to this information.

“If we don’t, we’ll only end up spending more money later when we have to retrofit every meter.”

Mr Gebbie acknowledged that communication technology is constantly evolving but said the existing applications are sufficiently sophisticated and inexpensive to warrant their use now.

“The functionality of these new meters will do so much more and should include the ability to talk to a range of appliances, such as hot water systems, heat pumps, dishwashers and dryers etc, and that will provide consumers with significant choices about how to manage their power consumption.”

Mr Gebbie said this is important because there are currently no price signals or market incentives that reflect the very real value of discretionary load.

By establishing a significant volume of discretionary load in the domestic sector, the market cannot ignore the value of that discretionary load. Right now the market just says your load is constant and you pay this amount.

“We need to move to pricing options that include the option to reflect the cost of generation at different times of the day, week and time of year.”

He added that delaying the introduction of smart metering will only further delay the introduction of the kind of smart appliances that consumers would demand, given the choice.

“If the chain is dragged on this, and I can understand that may happen given the potential commercial impacts, the regulator should act to ensure the installation of a standard chip that will communicate in an industry-agreed standard way with appliances and in-home computer systems.

“Consumers will benefit and money will be saved all around.  It’s the classic win-win situation, but we do need to think strategically about this if we are to realise all the benefits,” Mr Gebbie said.

EMANZ is an industry body whose members include energy managers in industry and government, sustainable energy consultants and energy auditors.

EMANZ administers the energy auditor accreditation scheme to ensure energy audits by its accredited members are carried out to the highest standards.

It is also involved in training and information programmes to assist members and others keep up with evolution in energy efficiency technology and best practice. Visit www.emanz.org.nz for more details.

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