Smart meters help to reduce energy costs  

Adopting Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting (RFEH) and Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) technologies in Smart Metering systems across urban areas in India can significantly enhance their scalability and reliability. Wi-SUN is a robust communication protocol for large-scale IoT networks like smart meters. Wi-SUN collects near-real-time data, ensuring utilities can monitor energy usage and demand with high granularity. Anil Rawal, MD and CEO of Intellismart shares insight with EPR Magazine.  

How can smart meters optimise energy storage and grid operations for utilities?

Smart meters provide near real-time data about energy consumption, which energy storage systems use to make informed decisions about when to charge or discharge. For instance, if there is excess renewable energy generation (e.g., from solar or wind), the energy storage system can store the excess energy.

Smart meters communicate energy usage patterns, helping storage systems determine the optimal time to release stored energy during peak demand. The data collected by smart meters can be analysed to identify energy consumption patterns, predict congestion, and optimise grid operations. Utilities can use this data to enhance grid planning, forecast potential congestion points, and deploy preventive measures before issues arise. By providing granular, near real-time data on energy usage, smart meters help utilities optimise energy dispatch from various generation sources, including renewable, conventional, and storage-based power. This optimisation reduces unnecessary generation, transmission losses, and overuse of expensive peaking plants, leading to cost savings for utilities and consumers.

How can smart meters help consumers reduce energy costs and optimise consumption?

Smart meters continuously collect data on electricity consumption and transmit it in near real-time to utilities and consumers. This provides near-instantaneous feedback on energy usage, enabling users to understand exactly how much energy they consume at any moment. With real-time monitoring, utilities can implement dynamic pricing based on actual demand.

During periods of high demand, the cost of electricity may increase; during low demand, prices may decrease. Consumers can then use this data to adjust their consumption behaviour—such as running high-energy appliances during off-peak hours—thereby reducing their electricity costs.

Smart meters provide consumers with insights into their energy usage patterns. With near real-time feedback, consumers can understand when and where they use the most energy and make changes to reduce energy consumption. For example, users may identify that air conditioning or water heating consumes significant energy and may adjust their habits or invest in energy-efficient appliances. Many smart meters are connected to mobile apps or online platforms that allow users to track their energy usage in near real-time. These tools can send notifications about high consumption, offer suggestions for improving efficiency, helping consumers make more informed decisions about their electricity use.

How can interoperability and secure data transmission be ensured for smart meters in India?

The Standard Bidding Document (SBD) sets clear expectations for interoperability, emphasising hardware independence and seamless integration within a networked environment. The system must support interoperability with third-party applications, ensuring efficient communication and collaboration. The Network Interface Card (NIC) or Communication Module must be compatible with at least three different meter makes in India. This ensures that the respective meters integrate effortlessly with the proposed Head-End System (HES) and Meter Data Management (MDM) systems, promoting system-wide interoperability.

Smart meters transmit data using wireless technologies such as RF, RF Mesh, and cellular networks. However, these technologies are vulnerable to cyber threats like eavesdropping, signal jamming, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Addressing these risks requires robust encryption protocols, secure authentication mechanisms, and continuous monitoring to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the integrity of the communication network and application levels.

Integrating IoT capabilities into smart meters demands reliable connectivity, which poses a significant challenge in India’s rural and remote regions due to limited network infrastructure. Consistent data transmission in these areas requires innovative solutions like hybrid communication technologies and localised data storage. However, deploying IoT-enabled smart meters entails substantial hardware, software, and connectivity infrastructure investment. This can be a significant barrier for utilities and consumers, necessitating strategic planning and collaboration to overcome these challenges effectively.