Enel - Smart meters for the benefit of customers
It is important that the data provided by electronic meters should be adequately managed in order for smart grids to actually achieve efficient energy markets that can meet the needs of all consumers
The establishment of an efficient and competitive energy market is decisive to achieve the economic and environmental targets set by the European Union for 2020. In this context, smart grids and meters are two key elements for the complete liberalisation of energy markets and make it easier for consumers to have free access to them.
The latter was emphasised by the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) in a recent document that compares the data management systems provided by electricity and gas meters adopted by nine European countries. Indeed, data management models and their regulatory developments are an essential condition for smart grids to become a tangible tool to achieve an efficient energy market that can meet the needs of all consumers.
The approach partly differs from one country to the other, which is to be expected considering that domestic markets have different features. Nonetheless, the aim of the models and of the adopted solutions is common: to favour cost efficiency, transparence and data security, also in view of the development of smart grids.
The latter shows highly interesting perspectives in the main markets in which Enel is present. For instance in Italy, where Enel was a global pioneer in the electricity sector when it installed more than 32 million smart meters. All of these were remotely managed, with figures that confirm the company’s global leadership: more than 330 million annual readings through Enel ‘s Telegestore system in Italy, besides millions of contractual operations that are being carried out remotely, without bothering customers and without having to send anyone to perform operations.
In Spain 13 million electronic meters are being installed by Endesa for its customers, while development projects are ongoing in various countries of Eastern Europe and Latin America. Also, more than 5 million meters have already been supplied to other European utilities.