ENEL - From the electronic meter to smart grids
Electronic meters continue to advance enormously in Europe. Enel, which launched this innovation 10 years ago, is now looking forward, towards the smart grids, aimed at a more efficient, economical and sustainable electricity system
Electronic meters continue to advance enormously in Europe. According to the new report by Pike Research 200 million new digital meters will be installed by 2020, thus meeting 70% of European customers. It will thus be possible to increase the operational efficiency of distribution companies and enhance the energy efficiency of the whole electricity system, also meet to a great extent customers’ needs through new market opportunities.
Europe’s major economies are now following the path of technological innovation paved for the first time in the world by Enel way back in 1999 and completed it 2011 in Italy, when Enel’s 32 million customers were allowed to use the advantages offered by the new meter.
Now, through its subsidiary Endesa, Enel launched the same project in Spain, with the aim of installing 13 million electronic meters over the next 5 years, and is already planning to expand it to other countries in which it operates, like Brazil.
But even if it was an extraordinary achievement, the electronic meter is only a first step for Enel. The future is in the smart grids: the intelligent energy distribution networks that will allow to change the architecture of electricity systems, thanks to an improved integration of renewable sources and the possibility for consumers to play a central role in the electricity market.
The greater overall efficiency will not only improve security and environmental protection, but will also produce remarkable economic benefits. For instance, smart grids will be crucial for the future of smart_cities, the environmentally friendly cities based on renewable energy and electric mobility. According to a recent report publicised by ABB, investments in smart cities are particularly profitable: an investment amounting to 3% of the GNP could ensure a return equivalent to 10% of the GNP by 2030.