Skip to main content

The Smart Meter

In this episode - The Smart Meter . . .

Walk out your front door and find the electric meter for your home. Is it digital, or has a dial that rotates (analog)? In 2021, U.S. electric utilities had about 111 million advanced (smart) metering infrastructure installations (AMI), equal to about 69% of total electric meters installations. Approximately 88% of all AMI installations belonged to residential customers, while around 69% of the residential electric meters were AMI.

So, what is a smart meter?
A smart electric meter, or digital meter, is a device that measures and records the consumption of electricity in real time. It is an upgraded version of traditional analog meters used in many households. The primary purpose of a smart electric meter is to provide more accurate and detailed information about energy usage and enable two-way communication between the utility company and the consumer.

Let’s explore some key features and hidden benefits of smart meters:

  • Accurate and real-time data: Smart electric meters provide precise measurements of electricity usage, often more accurately than analog meters. They record and transmit real-time consumption data, allowing consumers and utility companies to monitor usage patterns.
  • Time-of-use pricing: With a smart meter, utility companies can implement time-of-use pricing plans. This means that electricity rates can vary based on the time of day, reflecting the actual cost of generating and delivering electricity at different times. Consumers can benefit from lower rates during off-peak hours, encouraging them to shift energy-intensive tasks to those times, thus reducing the strain on the electric grid during peak periods.
  • Remote monitoring and management: Utility companies can remotely read and manage smart electric meters, eliminating the need for manual meter readings. This streamlines the billing process and reduces operational costs for the utility. It also allows quicker detection and resolution of power outages, as the meters can transmit outage notifications in real-time.
  • Energy consumption insights: Smart meters give consumers detailed insights into their energy consumption patterns. They can display real-time usage data, historical data, and even breakdowns by appliances or specific periods. This information empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their energy usage, identify energy-saving opportunities, and potentially reduce their electricity bills.
  • Enhanced grid management: Smart electric meters contribute to developing a smart grid, an intelligent and interconnected electricity distribution network. Utility companies better understand overall demand patterns by collecting detailed consumption data from individual meters. This information helps them optimize grid performance, balance load distribution, and effectively plan infrastructure upgrades.
  • Integration with renewable energy sources: As more renewable energy sources like solar panels are integrated into the grid, smart meters enable better integration and management of these distributed energy resources. They measure electricity consumption and generation, allowing Net Metering (NEM) to feed excess power into the grid.
  • Consumer empowerment and conservation: By providing consumers with real-time information about their energy usage and associated costs, smart electric meters encourage energy conservation and efficiency. When people know their consumption patterns, they’re more likely to adopt energy-saving behaviors, such as turning off lights or adjusting thermostat settings, ultimately reducing their environmental impact.

Smart electric meters offer many benefits compared to traditional analog meters. They provide precise data, simplify time-of-use pricing, allow for remote monitoring, aid in grid management, and empower consumers to make informed decisions regarding their energy consumption. This is just the beginning of many innovative advancements to come to the Smart Grid.


I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.


Comments

Most Popular of All Time

A Heart Full of Thanks

Oh, the thanks I could think, and the thanks I could say! For the wonderful people who brightened my day. The first one is Lori, my wife, sweet and true, Who knows just the thing and knows just what to do. She whipped up a feast with a smile and a sigh, With corn on the cob and a steak cooked “On the Fly!” My neighbor, Steve, with a mischievous gleam, Said, “No fence work today! No work, it would seem! You’ll paint with some water, some colors so bright, And sign your new painting with all of your might!" I laughed and I said, “But I don’t know that skill! I’ll slap on some paint and see what sticks still!” Then there’s my friends on the Facebook machine, The best group of readers that ever was seen! They read all my blogs and they hear my podcasts, They send all their cheer that's built to last! And Billy and Linda. A Snoopy card in the mail. A wonderful surprise that was sure to prevail! From very good friends, a delightful new tale ! But the thanks didn't stop, no, not...

History Isn’t a Museum

✨ In this episode, History Isn't a Museum—It's a River . . .   History isn't a museum—it's a river, and like it or not, we're already swimming in it. Its waters carry timeless lessons forward, flowing through each generation, waiting to be rediscovered . This profound realization struck me while reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations . Imagine: a Roman emperor and philosopher two thousand years ago, writing notes that sound like advice from a modern mindfulness coach. When he says, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength," it feels like he's speaking directly to us. The water may change, but the river is the same. Examining this writing with a fresh, childlike perspective and a wealth of experience, I realize how consistent human nature remains over time. Every generation faces familiar challenges, marked by frustration, peace, courage, faith, baseball, and the search for meaning across the ages...

Lessons from 1872

In this episode, Lessons from 1872: Travel in the Age of No-WiFi . . .   Imagine having 80 days to explore the world, with no smartphones, no jet planes, and no money concerns. A thrilling thought, right? That’s the fantasy Jules Verne implies in his classic adventure, Around the World in 80 Days , and it's a question I've been pondering from my easy chair in Vista, California. This week’s On the Fly , we're traveling back in time with one of the most thrilling literary adventures ever written. Early on, it’s clear this is Phileas Fogg’s story—a man of clocks and calculations, whose every move is measured. His journey isn’t about discovery, but a bet—a mathematical challenge involving money, schedules, and perfect timing. But when you think he’s the engine of the story, someone else quietly steals the show. Meet Passepartout: The Heart of the Journey. Jean Passepartout, Fogg’s new valet, is Fogg’s complete opposite. A former circus acrobat seeking a quiet life, he joins Fo...

You're Not Stuck

✨  In this episode, You’re not Stuck—you’re in a habit you forgot you built. One bad moment can ruin your day, but one habit can change your life. In this episode of On the Fly , discover how small, daily actions can rewire your mindset, replace negativity with possibilities, and even lift the people around you. Your 7-day challenge starts now. You’re Not Stuck—You’re Just in a Habit.  Yes, a single bad moment, a rough headline, or a tense conversation can throw off your entire day. Before you know it, your thoughts are spinning in a hamster wheel of frustration and negativity. Here’s the reality: you don’t have to stay on that wheel.  The secret isn’t a lightning bolt of motivation—it’s something quieter but far more powerful: habit. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle. Mindset doesn’t change through grand gestures—it changes through small, repeatable actions . Your brain is constantly building pathways—tiny roads tha...