SMART METERS EXPLAINED
How do these self-reading utility meters work to save energy?
WORDS AILSA HARVEY
If you’re looking to gain more control over your utility bills, smart meters are the latest devices that give you easy access to all of your energy usage data. Built with a display screen, the meter can be plugged into the mains of your home and presents real-time information about gas and electricity usage, as well as the accumulated cost for the end of that month. Not only does a smart meter provide you with information, it also sends the data to your energy supplier and power generation plants automatically. This improves the process of energy generation as it provides helpful information about energy demands and trends. Those operating smart grids use data from smart meters to predict peak demand times. During these times, electricity generation is accelerated. This method allows energy generation to be lowered slightly at other times, for a more environmentally friendly system.