Smart Meters
Smart Meters, like traditional meters, are devices that are capable of recording how much electrical energy (kWh) has been used over time. What distinguishes Smart Meters from traditional technologies, however, is that they also record the time at which the electricity was used. Smart Meters then have the ability to communicate with a computer system that keeps a record of the usage history.
This usage history can be used to provide consumers with valuable feedback and information about their electricity usage patterns, and for billing customers based on time of use.
Electricity must be used as it is produced, which means that generators must also be capable of supplying electricity as consumers require it. When demands are relatively low, the most cost effective, and generally the cleanest, generating options (such as hydro and nuclear) can be used to produce energy and meet the needs of the province. However, when demands increase, as they typically do through the day, when air conditioners need to work hardest, industries are in full production, and residents tend to use their appliances the most, less cost effective generation options (such as coal-fired plants) need to ramp-up their output, expensive energy imports need to be purchased from outside the province, and the cost of electricity and the environmental impact both follow the demand upwards.
As opposed to the current rate structure for residential users, which is based solely on total energy consumption (kWh) within a certain time period, the Smart Metering technology will allow more fair and realistic prices to be associated with electricity used at certain times of the day. The information delivered by a Smart Meter can be a powerful tool for consumers, because it allows them to monitor their own usage, much as they would keep track of how much gas is in the tank of their car, or how much money is in their bank account, or how many minutes are left on their cell-phone plan. Given this kind of information, effective conservation and financial decisions can be made. The time-of-use billing structure will encourage residents to shift their electrical demands to less expensive, off-peak times, which in turn will ease the peak demands placed on our generating capacity, helping to ensure system reliability, and will reduce environmental impact from the heavy polluting, more-expensive generating stations.
In short, Smart Meters will be a very important tool in bringing awareness about Conservation and Demand Management issues to residential customers, and in empowering them to make money saving and environmentally responsible choices regarding their energy use.
Electricity must be used as it is produced, which means that generators must also be capable of supplying electricity as consumers require it. When demands are relatively low, the most cost effective, and generally the cleanest, generating options (such as hydro and nuclear) can be used to produce energy and meet the needs of the province. However, when demands increase, as they typically do through the day, when air conditioners need to work hardest, industries are in full production, and residents tend to use their appliances the most, less cost effective generation options (such as coal-fired plants) need to ramp-up their output, expensive energy imports need to be purchased from outside the province, and the cost of electricity and the environmental impact both follow the demand upwards.
As opposed to the current rate structure for residential users, which is based solely on total energy consumption (kWh) within a certain time period, the Smart Metering technology will allow more fair and realistic prices to be associated with electricity used at certain times of the day. The information delivered by a Smart Meter can be a powerful tool for consumers, because it allows them to monitor their own usage, much as they would keep track of how much gas is in the tank of their car, or how much money is in their bank account, or how many minutes are left on their cell-phone plan. Given this kind of information, effective conservation and financial decisions can be made. The time-of-use billing structure will encourage residents to shift their electrical demands to less expensive, off-peak times, which in turn will ease the peak demands placed on our generating capacity, helping to ensure system reliability, and will reduce environmental impact from the heavy polluting, more-expensive generating stations.
In short, Smart Meters will be a very important tool in bringing awareness about Conservation and Demand Management issues to residential customers, and in empowering them to make money saving and environmentally responsible choices regarding their energy use.
