What is the problem ? Goal : Realising the EU's 2020 targets on climate and energy

Europe has set itself ambitious energy and climate change objectives for 2020. Smart meters could contribute to achieving these objectives, but there is no current agreement in Europe about the way a smart meter should be defined. The wide-spread roll-out of affordable and effective smart meters, will require agreement at EU-level on their minimum functionalities.

Why is EU Action required ? Agreed common functionalities for Smart Meters

If roll out is conceived in the right way, smart meters can be used to make consumers aware of and better manage their energy consumption. They help increase efficiency in the management of the electricity grid (network), contribute to grid balancing and in the end allow for the integration of de-centrally generated renewable energy.

What will the Commission do ?

Through policy planning, regulation and standardisation it will ensure:

• Functionalities of the metering device that provide the grid with frequent information about consumption and reduce operational costs by enabling remote operation.
• Functionalities that would provide the information needed for the provision of ICT products/services for energy management in buildings (homes, offices, etc.).

The approach is to decouple the goals of grid robustness and grid balancing, on one hand, and engagement of users in energy savings through innovative home ICT services, on the other.

By the end of 2010 :

• End the revision process of the Measuring Instruments Directive and continue the ongoing work on standardisation.

By the end of 2011 :

• Facilitate an agreement by Member States on common functionalities for smart meters.
• Contribute to a CEN (European Committee for Standardization) standard for additional functionalities for smart meters.

Contact:

colette.maloney@ec.europa