Smart Metering Systems (SMS) is set to survey up to 3,000 properties in the UK as a means to support the rollout of smart meters.
Formalised via an agreement with UK energy supplier cooperative Alt HAN Co, the survey will be part of an innovation project designed to unlock the benefits of using smart meters in homes across the UK that are currently unable to access them.
But for this, residential properties will need to use a new set of hybrid wired and wireless technology solutions to boost smart meter connectivity.
Smart meters have seen increasing interest from energy consumers as a means to manage soaring energy bills by presenting opportunities to utilise the low cost energy from the grid.
Because of this, SMS saw solid growth across the first half of 2022, with the company citing in its half year results that the run rate for smart meter installations had increased to over 40,000 per month since Q2 2022.
This coincides with the current energy crisis that has seen high wholesale prices over the second half of 2021 and into the foreseeable future.
“In addition to the testing service we already provide Alt HAN Co, which is helping us gain an appreciation of the technical aspects of the solution and its interoperability with smart meters, this surveying work now enables us to have a much more in-depth understanding of the specific building requirements as well,” said Tom Woolley, SMETS2 specialist at SMS.
“These two critical steps ensure we’re in the best position possible to offer energy suppliers the specialist installation services required to access the remaining inaccessible housing stock. In doing so, we’ll be able to unlock the full benefits of smart meters to these consumers, whilst supporting suppliers with their mandated rollout targets.”
The companies have estimated that up to one million British households are currently hindered by connectivity issues in which the components of the Home Area Network (HAN), such as energy meters, in-home device, and communications hub that make up a standard smart meter installation, are unable to communicate.
This is most commonly the case in flats, apartment blocks and large domestic dwellings where components must be installed further apart than the normal HAN range allows.
