Building & Design

UK Government asks for input on faster smart meter rollout

Amid the hullabaloo of the UK Coalition Government’s first Annual Energy Statement yesterday, a prospectus for the country’s smart meter rollout was also published that could potentially bring forward the deadline to 2014.

The Government’s proposals lay out a staged approach to the rollout of smart meters to all homes and businesses – and invites suggestions for bringing the rollout forward ahead of the previous 2020 deadline.

The consultation will also seek opinions on a code of practice on installation and the use of installation targets.

The Government suggests creating a new central entity to coordinate data management and communications in the most cost-effective and secure manner.

The proposals also clearly indicate that energy suppliers will be responsible for the rollout of smart meters.

The programme puts “consumers’ interest at [its] heart”, it says, but the general public may need some convincing – especially with British Gas’ announcement that its profits are up 98% for the first half or 2010, compared with the same period last year.

Issues such as data privacy and security and consumer protection are high on the Government’s agenda and will be key to securing mass support for the rollout programme.

The plans have been initially welcomed by communications giant Cable&Wireless Worldwide, particularly the suggested centralised communications and data management element.

“Centralised procurement will ensure that there will be fewer integration challenges and fewer disparate data sets involved in the rollout of smart meters,” says Ian Thomas, director of strategy development.

“Most importantly, by centralising the smart metering network infrastructure and data centres, it will be easier to maintain the integrity of the data running over it,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Charles Race of Informatica adds that attempting to bring forward the deadline is commendable but ambitious.

“Bringing the 2020 deadline for replacing the UK’s gas and electricity meters forward to 2014 is a bold step for Ofgem,” he says. “[But] we need to keep in mind just how complex the move to digitise energy supplies really is. On top of smart metering, utility companies are also looking at sustainable technologies and a frantic, ever changing regulatory environment.”

The consultation is open until 28 October, with some points needing a response by 28 September. The Government’s final decisions in light of the consultation will be laid out later in the year.

For further information:
www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/smart_mtr_imp/smart_mtr_imp.aspx
www.cw.com/
www.informatica.com/UK

29 July 2010

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