Umbach_edit:Outsourcing_book_temp.qxd 20/08/2009 11:54 Page 79
There Can Be No Smart Grids without Smart Metering
Figure 1: Smart Metering – Enabling the Smart Grid Figure 2: The Metering Point Becomes the ‘Enabler’
Large-scale central
Large-scale central power generation
power generation
Utility processes Distributed
Realtime
generation
demand-
side management
Two-way data
communication
Distributed
generation
Extensive small
distributed
generation
Realtime
Smart
demand-side
meter
management
Utility processes
Electricity
Gas
Heat
Two-way data
Water
communication
provides realtime data that enable ‘smart’ operational processes. AMM
is an essential component of smart grid operations. Not only does it
provide the information required of a smart grid, it is also the
connection point between the smart grid and the automated home.
Advanced metering systems turn individual market actors into
interdependent partners. These inter-reliant partners share both the
offers the utility the groundwork for the transformation of the grid. responsibilities and incentives a dynamic grid offers. Conventional
Smart metering is the foundation of the European smart grid. generation and load management are adapted to the availability of
renewable generation: dynamic tariffs respond to naturally triggered
In this development, the metering system also takes on a new role. No generation, or load is increased to respond to the amount of renewable
longer is it only the cash register ‘feeding’ commercial processes, but it energies being fed into the system at any given time (see Figure 2).