Landis+Gyr, the provider of energy management solutions, has today announced the introduction of the next generation of smart meters for electricity and gas. Building on its longstanding presence in the UK metering market, Landis+Gyr has worked with British Gas to launch the first of a new standard in smart technology. The first of the new model UK smart meters is now installed and live in a British Gas customer’s home.
These smart meters, part of Landis+Gyr’s UK smart metering family, are the first to comply with the Government’s ground breaking smart energy standard, SMETS2 (‘smart metering equipment technical specifications 2’).
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The first operational SMETS2 meter, installed in August at a semi-detached home in Surbiton, will be part of extensive consumer testing to inform the wider national roll-out of the meters from 2018.
SMETS2 smart meters will deliver a wide range of improvements, including:
1. Interoperability – these devices enable seamless switching between energy suppliers by connecting with the Data Communications Company (DCC).
2. High security – the new meters maintain and extend the highest standard of security for householder data.
3. Renewable energy support – the new meters will facilitate the connection of all types of home renewable and microgeneration technology onto the grid, supporting a cleaner, greener UK.
At a national level, the new meters will form the cornerstone of an improved national energy infrastructure, more flexible, reliable and efficient than ever before. The highly detailed information they provide for the UK’s electricity network operators will help to reduce the annual cost of supporting the country’s power grid, and aid renewables integration.
>See also: The smart meter debate: from energy supplier to lifestyle provider
Critically, it will also enable the expansion of electric vehicles across the UK – a key part of UK Government’s future transport strategy and a vital step in creating a clean-energy future.
Having chosen to locate its gas and electricity smart meter R&D facilities in the UK, in order to best serve the highly advanced UK smart metering market, this commitment continues to support the UK tech industry and foster its growth.
With the rapid expansion of smart meters across continental Europe, the cutting edge functionality of its SMETS2 devices is expected to be integrated into many of the company’s solutions across Europe, exporting UK skills and expertise.
Several UK energy retailers including British Gas are beginning volume SMETS2 pilot programmes, utilising the company’s SMETS2 solution this autumn. Landis+Gyr expects to deliver more than 20 million smart gas and electricity meters for its UK customers as part of the nationwide rollout currently underway.
>See also: The smart meter debate: from energy supplier to lifestyle provider
Stephen Cunningham, senior vice president, EMEA commented, “We are delighted to announce this important industry ‘first’ and to be able to bring this leading-edge technology to UK homes and businesses. We are very proud to have supported UK plc by carrying out all of the R&D for this landmark technology here in the UK.”
Catherine O’Kelly, Industry Development Director at British Gas, also emphasised the energy suppliers pride at being “the first energy supplier in the UK to install a SMETS2 meter in a customer’s home. It’s a really important milestone for our programme, coming hot on the heels of our four millionth smart meter installation a few months ago.”
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