SmartMeters to Grow by 400% in Two Years
The number of smart electricity meters with two-way communications is poised to mushroom in the next two years, according to a study.
Research company Park Associates this week released figures for smart-meter installations in the U.S., saying that there are 8 million units installed, or about 6 percent of all meters.
(Credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET)
As utilities upgrade equipment as part of smart-grid trials, the number of smart meters is forecast to grow to 13.6 million installed next year and to over 33 million in 2011.
Having a method to broker regular communications between a utility and a customer will set the foundation for a widening array of home-energy management tools, said Bill Ablondi, Park Associates' director of home systems.
Home energy management systems can be relatively simple displays or Web-based programs that show how much electricity a home is using. More high-end systems can be built around home-area networks where consumers can program smart appliances and lighting to cut power consumption.
The enabling technology for the more sophisticated home-energy management systems includes various wireless communications options for within the home and for smart meters. But even though many of the technology components are now available, there are a number of barriers to widespread adoption of the smart grid, even with billions of stimulus dollars targeted for smart-grid programs.
Upgrading the electricity distribution system is expensive and variable pricing structures that reflect the cost of peak-time electricity could take a long time to be implemented, Ablondi said in a recent presentation. Also, consumer interest in managing energy, which is high right now, could wane, he added.
Previous smart-grid coverage
FAQ: What the smart grid means to youThere are many definitions and technologies under the smart grid banner. What's the goal and why all the attention?
Images: The many faces of the smart grid - CNET NewsThere are many technologies that go into making the smart grid, a grid that is more efficient and reliable as a whole.
Are consumers ready for the smart grid?Smart meters and in-home energy displays are trickling out into people's homes. But there's still some question whether the technology is consumer-friendly enough.
GE: Smart grid yields net-zero energy home At its research labs, GE says it has the smart-grid technology, including solar panels and efficient appliances, to build a home that has a net-zero energy consumption.
Photos: GE's smart-grid kitchen of the futureAt its research labs, GE shows off demand-response appliances that can take advantage of cheaper electricity rates automatically.
Control4 adds energy monitoring to home networkBest known for its home entertainment controllers, Control4 gets funds to expand into smart-grid products to monitor and control home energy use.
GE appliances to connect to smart grid via TendrilSmart-grid start-up Tendril Networks and GE will test a system in which home appliances share data with utilities to cut electricity consumption.
Martin LaMonica is a senior writer for CNET's Green Tech blog. He started at CNET News in 2002, covering IT and Web development. Before that, he was executive editor at IT publication InfoWorld. E-mail Martin.
The Rest @ CNET
Research company Park Associates this week released figures for smart-meter installations in the U.S., saying that there are 8 million units installed, or about 6 percent of all meters.
(Credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET)
As utilities upgrade equipment as part of smart-grid trials, the number of smart meters is forecast to grow to 13.6 million installed next year and to over 33 million in 2011.
Having a method to broker regular communications between a utility and a customer will set the foundation for a widening array of home-energy management tools, said Bill Ablondi, Park Associates' director of home systems.
Home energy management systems can be relatively simple displays or Web-based programs that show how much electricity a home is using. More high-end systems can be built around home-area networks where consumers can program smart appliances and lighting to cut power consumption.
The enabling technology for the more sophisticated home-energy management systems includes various wireless communications options for within the home and for smart meters. But even though many of the technology components are now available, there are a number of barriers to widespread adoption of the smart grid, even with billions of stimulus dollars targeted for smart-grid programs.
Upgrading the electricity distribution system is expensive and variable pricing structures that reflect the cost of peak-time electricity could take a long time to be implemented, Ablondi said in a recent presentation. Also, consumer interest in managing energy, which is high right now, could wane, he added.
Previous smart-grid coverage
FAQ: What the smart grid means to youThere are many definitions and technologies under the smart grid banner. What's the goal and why all the attention?
Images: The many faces of the smart grid - CNET NewsThere are many technologies that go into making the smart grid, a grid that is more efficient and reliable as a whole.
Are consumers ready for the smart grid?Smart meters and in-home energy displays are trickling out into people's homes. But there's still some question whether the technology is consumer-friendly enough.
GE: Smart grid yields net-zero energy home At its research labs, GE says it has the smart-grid technology, including solar panels and efficient appliances, to build a home that has a net-zero energy consumption.
Photos: GE's smart-grid kitchen of the futureAt its research labs, GE shows off demand-response appliances that can take advantage of cheaper electricity rates automatically.
Control4 adds energy monitoring to home networkBest known for its home entertainment controllers, Control4 gets funds to expand into smart-grid products to monitor and control home energy use.
GE appliances to connect to smart grid via TendrilSmart-grid start-up Tendril Networks and GE will test a system in which home appliances share data with utilities to cut electricity consumption.
Martin LaMonica is a senior writer for CNET's Green Tech blog. He started at CNET News in 2002, covering IT and Web development. Before that, he was executive editor at IT publication InfoWorld. E-mail Martin.
The Rest @ CNET
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