Smart meters being fitted in many countries of the world will make energy use more visible, but it is not clear if technology alone will be enough to reduce energy consumption. Smart Meters going to be employed to reduce energy theft, data management and with many other features.
It is predicted by many research organizations that India’s smart grid market will touch $1.9 billion by 2015. The Indian government has embarked on $900 billion investment in electrical infrastructure by 2020 that includes building new transmission and distribution lines and power generation plants. The research further mentions that the basic electric infrastructure market will reach to $5.9 billion in the year of 2015. At present, the smart grid market in India is $1.1 billion and 16.3 percent growth is forecast between 2013 and 2015.
India, which will be third largest smart grid investment market, is set to install 130 million Smart Meters by 2021. At present, the market in India is nascent with only few smart meters roll out happ grened. But it seems gather the pace from 2013 onwards.
Many companies are into the race to offer smart metering and AMI solutions to homeowners. It has been successfully deployed in pudecherry. The government hopes to offer the technology to every home and business by the end of the decade, with the roll-out kicking off by 2021.
Smart meters are an important tool for helping people understand and quantify energy use. They differ from a traditional meter, by providing accurate energy use data in real-time. This can be shown on an in-home display and also read remotely by the energy supplier. Historical information on energy use and cost will allow consumers to compare current and past use.
Smart Meters really gives clear idea of your energy consumption, explains that in reality people largely underestimate the energy consumption for certain devices and activities.
“For example, if you were to ask someone how much energy a washing machine or water pumps would use in an hour, on average they would tend to underestimate it by factor of 600 times less than what it actually consumes,”
The aim is for smart meters to help make energy consumption more visible to us and help us understand how much we’re actually using. many engineers are currently working on research to understand whether real-time feedback actually makes a difference or whether the difference is sustained over a long period of time.
“Research has shown that people use less energy if they are more engaged with how much they are using and where and how it is being used,” .
However, some peoples thinks that the installation of the smart meter displays is an unnecessary cost. Because they think using web-links or smartphone apps, for example, could be a cheaper alternative to giving live feedback on energy use.
Questions from Consumers
Will Smart Meters Will Save Money?
Smart meters will give accurate bills, removes the cost of meter readings which electricity companies are including in your bills. You can save money and energy by using the information provided where you can reduce your energy consumption, and then make an effort to do so.
Will a smart meter cost me money?
While having a smart meter installed is free, you may incur the cost indirectly through your bills.
This cost will be paid by consumers through their energy bills, so we want to make sure it is as low as possible.
How can I get a smart meter?
Unlike energy monitors, which you can buy in the shops and set up yourself, smart meters need to be installed by your energy company. The government hopes to have smart meters in 80% of homes by 2020, and is currently putting forward plans for the roll-out.
About The Author:
Shridhar Pandey
Country Manager(India)
Ramway Technology Co. ltd
Email id: Shridhar.pandey@ramwaycn.com
