ESMA has worked from December 2006  until November 2009 to define and spread best practice in smart metering across European member states aiming to maximise the resulting energy savings.  ESMA supports Article 13 of the Energy End-Use Efficiency and ESCO Directive and the 3rd Energy Package. The project has published a series of reports on smart metering, a Financial Toolkit, an Application Guide (3 Editions) and Annual Reports on Progress in Smart Metering (2008 and 2009).  Also an Alliance was established linking all key stakeholder groups and giving them a forum to deal with the issues arising from the introduction of smart metering.

Smart metering covers a variety of functions made possible by electronic meters and communications networks and is being implemented, or about to be implemented, in many countries in Europe. They provide benefits to utilities through better operation and reduced costs.  They also make it possible for final customers to get more information about their energy usage.  Trials have shown that this can reduce consumption.  ESMA has published three key recommendations that must be followed if the potential energy savings resulting from the introduction of smart metering are to be maximised.

Recommendations

• To ensure effective engagement with customers the energy industry should be incentivised to maximise customer savings as appropriate to their local market conditions
• The introduction of smart metering must be done in such a way as to protect consumers interests
• Energy savings depend on providing customers with real time feedback, web based information and better billing. All feedback routes are effective in different ways and complement each other but real time feedback requires special attention as it involves the most changes to current practice

Anyone who is interested in the objectives of ESMA and would like to be involved in related activities should write to 

info@esma-project.eu for latest information.