Written answers

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Smart Metering Project

9:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the smart metering project; the cost of same; the timeframe involved; the specifications of the smart meter model proposed; if he has liaised with An Bord Gáis in relation to smart meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4548/09]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress he has made in rolling out electricity smart meters; when the pilot project will be finished; the provisional findings from this project which have been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4378/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 489 together.

The rollout of a national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government. The Smart Meter programme is a central component of the strategy to significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve greater energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology.

The pilot phase is a very important element in the determination of a decision to proceed with the launch of a national smart meter scheme. This is a highly complex technological project and the trials are essential to ensure that we have the right technology and systems for the full launch and implementation of a national smart meter scheme.

The pilot phase, for both electricity and gas, was launched on 15 September 2008. The results of the pilot will inform both the timing of a national roll out, and the technology to be adopted. It is important to have a trial that captures seasonal changes in usage for peak demand management purposes. The pilot phase is expected to be completed at end December 2010 and the outcome should be a fully informed decision on the most suitable model of smart meter(s)/IT system(s), tariffing structure, communications system and demand stimuli, all of which works effectively and has the capability to deliver the anticipated benefits of smart metering in the Irish market.

The pilot phase encompasses two strands — a technology trial, which is testing a number of advanced metering systems and their associated IT and communications infrastructure — and a customer behaviour trial, which will determine the potential of smart meters to achieve measurable change in consumer behaviour.

The technology trial will examine meter functionality and supporting information and communications systems. There are many challenges involved in developing a metering system for Ireland that will reflect the dispersed nature of our population and, as a result, by extension, the electricity network. This trial will involve the installation of up to 10,000 meters.

Testing the capability of advanced meters to distinguish between the import and export of electricity will also form a key part of the technology trial. This will facilitate the development of microgeneration where consumers generate their own electricity and sell their surplus back to the grid.

Participants for the customer behaviour trial are being selected to ensure that the sample is representative of Ireland's electricity consumers both in terms of usage profiles and geographical spread. Invitations to participate in the trial are being issued on a phased basis with 8000 letters of invitation issued thus far. To date the response has been very positive with 37% of electricity customers contacted expressing an interest in participating. The number of participants needed for the electricity customer behaviour trial is 6,000. Installation of electricity meters for this strand of the pilot phase is under way and is expected to be completed by mid 2009.

The participation of gas customers into the pilot phase is being progressed, with the procurement process for gas smart meters now underway. This should allow for the completion of the installation of meters for the gas element of the pilot phase before the end of 2009.

For the purposes of the pilot phase 4 models of electricity smart meter are being trialled. The specifications of these metering systems will allow the testing of a range of functions, including, interval metering reading, time of use tariffing and the use of In Home Display devices, which, in turn, can facilitate demand management and increased energy efficiency. They will also provide data on actual energy use of an amount and quality necessary to drive improvements in service to consumers through better fault monitoring and outage recording, power quality monitoring, reduced theft and losses and improved network planning. In addition, as highlighted above, the capacity of these smart metering systems to distinguish between the import and export of electricity will facilitate the development of microgeneration.

As part of the preparation for the 'go live' of the pilot, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is near completion of its review of submissions from ESB Networks, ESB Customer Supply, Sustainable Energy Ireland, Bord Gáis Networks and industry participants, on the budget for the entire pilot phase. I expect to receive confirmation of the finalised budget of the pilot phase from the CER in the coming weeks.

The cost of a national rollout will be quantified when the pilot phase has been completed.

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