Smart Zero-energy Buildings and Communities for Smart Grids

7Smart Meters and User Engagement in the Leaf House

7.1. Introduction

Smart metering systems add more information than conventional meters and offer many advantages such as cost effectiveness, accuracy and interactivity with users. Once in place, interactive smart meters can allow users to control and manage their individual preferences and consumption patterns, providing incentives for energy-efficient use through behavioral change.

User engagement and acceptance is a critical factor for the successful roll-out of smart meters. According to the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) (Articles 9 and 12), appropriate advice and information should be given to users at the point of installation (Wilson et al. 2014). In particular, in line with Article 9, the Member States (MS) should ensure that the objectives of energy efficiency and benefits for final customers are fully taken into account when establishing the minimum functionalities of the meters. In addition, MS should ensure the security of the smart meters and data communication, and the privacy of the final users.

Smart meters can be a useful tool in giving customers up-to-date information on energy use and in enabling accurate billing. The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) can reduce the environmental impact via lowering consumption and/or load (Valkering 2013). Nevertheless, to achieve a reduction in energy use the engagement of the user is crucial.

For the implementation of smart meters and the development of efficient ...