| | JUNE 20198E ERGYTech ReviewIN MY OPINIONAt the start of 2018 there were 71 million smart meters installed in the US funded by the promise of smarter grids, fewer carbon emissions, and more satisfied consumers. A smart meter infrastructure lays the groundwork for dynamic pricing, demand response, remote meter management, and improved energy forecasting. But, where are we at currently and what will it take to realize this promise?First, we have to recognize the factors slowing the progress of smart meters: lack of software solutions, consumer privacy concerns, and the "last mile" for real time consumer awareness. In May the Massachusetts DPU decided to delay funding of the state's smart meter initiative due to the lack of software availability. Incumbent utilities lacked the system capabilities to scale their billing processes with high volume usage generated by smart meters. In addition, the commission sited that non-incumbent energy retailers in Massachusetts also lack the software capability to maintained complex tiered rating products. Given the lack of software available to players, the DPU considered it an unwarranted burden on the consumer to upgrade the meters when the true value to the consumer cannot be realized. In California, smart meters have been funded and installed, but the public concern over loss of privacy is slowing adoption of the meters and has the CPUC is fighting a vigorous PR campaign to keep the calm. Most states considering smart meter deployments need to prepare for consumer advocacy push back on privacy. Finally, the "last mile" of true insight into a consumer's real time usage is hampered by inadequate technical solutions and delays in processing smart meter data for consumption. Smart meter data is back hauled from the residence to the transmission and distribution provider's back office. The shortest time frame for consumer facing systems to receive settlement quality data is roughly 4 days. In California, Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) groups contest that it is actually 48 days until they receive true settlement quality data. Given the volume of data and the need to scrub it for inconsistencies, consumer facing systems may not have usage data available for consumers until 5 days after the usage event. This is too late for real time energy usage behavior modification. In addition, the embedded shortwave transmission protocols in smart meters (e.g., Zigbee), intended to sync with in-home usage displays, have performed inconsistently preventing Will the Smart Meter Deliver on its Promise?By John Burke, CIO, Ambit EnergyJohn BurkeIndustrial Internet of Things (Industrial IoT), Digitalization, Cyber Security, and their Impact on the Energy Industry
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