Smart Energy Meters for UK by 2020

The government has decided that every home in UK should be fitted with a smart energy meter. This will result in real time usage information being transmitted to the gas and electricity utility companies. The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) claimed the scheme will be the biggest smart meter project in the world and it is expected to be completed by 2020.

Consumers are expected to be benefit by lowering energy usage by between 2 and 15 percent, thus saving money. This endeavour will help the government meet its target figure of 34 percent for greenhouse gas emission.

If home-owners have other sources of power like solar or wind, the smart meters will help in selling the excess power they have to the grid. Heavy power consuming appliances like the refrigerator will also be better dynamically managed.

All these efforts are expected to reduce 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The first smart meters are expected to roll out by 2012. The meters are expected to save consumers and utility companies between £2.5 billion-£3.6 billion but will cost double that amount to install. Some of the cost will probably have to be borne by the consumers. At least the government is taking an initiative to make electricity usage more eco-friendly.

Tags: Smart Meter, UK Smart Meter

Category: News