Smart Grid (R)Evolution: Electric Power Struggles by Jennie Stephens & Elizabeth J. Wilson & Tarla Rai Peterson

Author:Jennie Stephens & Elizabeth J. Wilson & Tarla Rai Peterson [Stephens, Jennie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2015-01-31T05:00:00+00:00

5.4 Rolling Out Smart Meters: Sometimes a Bumpy Ride

Despite some level of resistance due to the reasons detailed here, smart meter rollouts are progressing rapidly. Current projections estimate that by the end of 2014 close to half of all households in Europe, the United States, and Canada will have smart meters installed, and additional installations are planned. Smart meter rollouts have been controversial in some places, while installations have been smooth in others. This variation in ease of deployment highlights variation in utility–community relationships and level and type of trust among communities. The remaining sections of this chapter describe smart meter installations in a few specific regions and communities, including two regions of the United States (California and Massachusetts) and one country in Europe (Germany). These stories of smart meter rollout include tales of both appreciative satisfaction and frustrating mistrust, highlighting the different perspectives and priorities consumers and utilities have with regard to smart meters. While most consumers may not have particularly strong opinions one way or another about smart meter technology, there are people at both ends of a spectrum with deep negative skepticism at one end and passionate positive excitement at the other end.

Grassroots organization to oppose smart meters has been coordinated through multiple mechanisms. In the United States a group called Stop Smart Meters! has emerged to provide coordinated support and knowledge-sharing to local opposition efforts (Stopsmartmeters.org 2014). Smart meter opposition has resulted in some unusual and unpredictable alliances; both conservative Tea Party members and liberal Occupy movement members have become involved in Stop Smart Meters!-type campaigns.

As smart meter technologies are rapidly evolving, maintaining flexibility and integrating future adaptability in technology investments poses a persistent challenge for utilities, regulators, and customers. Utilities are not used to rapidly changing technology – until recently the industry expectation was that the same basic electricity system technology would be used for decades. But with smart meters, there are possibilities for frequent technological improvements – both hardware and software. This creates a major challenge for investment. If a utility invests in one meter design in one year, it will have a difficult time explaining to its customers why they should switch to a different meter in the near future. Another challenge related to the fast pace of technological change is compatibility: it is possible that first-generation meters may not be compatible with second-generation meters if new functionalities are incorporated and industry standards are not agreed upon. This raises issues of standards – how will interoperability of system components be managed? Should a specific type and model of smart meter be mandated, and, if so, by whom?

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