Smart meters for power grid — Challenges, issues, advantages and status

TLDR

Smart meters are advanced energy meters that measure consumption and provide additional information beyond conventional meters, and their integration into the grid requires tailored techniques, software, and secure communication networks that meet utility and customer requirements. This paper reviews the features and technologies that can be integrated into smart meters, outlines the design, deployment, utilization, and maintenance challenges, discusses their applications and advantages for future electricity markets, and highlights their importance for developing countries. The paper illustrates the current status of smart metering across various countries. The study identifies multiple applications and advantages of smart meters for future electricity markets.

Abstract

Smart meter is an advanced energy meter that measures consumption of electrical energy providing additional information compared to a conventional energy meter. Integration of smart meters into electricity grid involves implementation of a variety of techniques and software, depending on the features that the situation demands. Design of a smart meter depends on the requirements of the utility company as well as the customer. This paper discusses various features and technologies that can be integrated with a smart meter. In fact, deployment of smart meters needs proper selection and implementation of a communication network satisfying the security standards of smart grid communication. This paper outlines various issues and challenges involved in design, deployment, utilization, and maintenance of the smart meter infrastructure. In addition, several applications and advantages of smart meter, in the view of future electricity market are discussed in detail. This paper explains the importance of introducing smart meters in developing countries. In addition, the status of smart metering in various countries is also illustrated.