The Future of Metering Technology (Technology Focus)

The migration to smart metering will require investment in a variety of technologies; these will need to be networked and integrated together in order to create the infrastructure to support smart metering. Networking and integration will be necessary at three distinct levels on the premises of the customer, between the customer and the utility, and internally within the supplier organization.

Report Highlights


The variety of peripheral devices and smart appliances associated with smart metering means effective in-home wireless networks are necessary. ZigBee is one such solution that supports the monitoring and control that is also key to smart metering. A range of local and wide area networking can transport meter data back to the utility, including Power Line Carriers (PLC), Radio Frequency (RF) and more recently broadband and Wi-Fi. The merits of each method depend on factors such as population density and network topology. A range of Meter Data Management (MDM) software has been developed to support utilities who have implemented smart metering. By acting as an interface between the smart metering network and back-office systems, MDM provides all stakeholders with the correct information they need.
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DATAMONITOR VIEW 1
CATALYST 1
SUMMARY 1
ANALYSIS 2
Smart metering assets must be part of an in-home network 2
Smart metering supports functionalities that require networking with a number of peripheral assets 2
ZigBee has arisen as a key wireless networking solution for smart metering 3
Wider communications infrastructure is where most innovation is currently occurring 4
Traditional smart metering solutions rely on Power Line Carrier and Radio Frequency communication 5
A variety of other network communication possibilities are arising for smart metering 5
Optimal infrastructure will typically involve a blend of networks 7
Meter Data Management software is vital to meet the various end-user needs 8
Meter Data Management is a necessary interface between the AMI network and back-office systems 8
Installing MDM is a preferable solution to manually built alternatives 9
MDM has multiple benefits that will reduce costs 10
Case Study: Southeastern Utility, USA 10
Vendors must seek ways to be competitive in the smart metering market 11
Vendors need to ensure products are technologically future-proof and compatible with other vendors 11
Entering partnerships with other vendors is an attractive way to offer holistic solutions 11
Mergers and acquisitions are another important way of expanding vendors' solution sets 12
Vendors need to remain alert to regulation and legislation 12
APPENDIX 13
Definitions 13
Methodology 14
Further reading 14
Ask the analyst 14
Datamonitor consulting 14
Disclaimer 15
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Table 1: New communications infrastructure is driving new AMR opportunities 6


Figure 1: Wireless networking solutions for in-home smart metering devices 3
Figure 2: In-home network for smart metering assets 4
Figure 3: Using a Power Line Carrier (PLC) network to transfer smart meter data 5
Figure 4: Wireless mesh network for smart metering 7
Figure 5: MDM system 8
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