Electric Ireland and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have today (11th January) released full anonymised data sets from the recent Smart Metering trials for electricity customers. The Smart Metering Trials took place during 2009 and 2010 with over 5,000 Irish homes and businesses participating. The purpose of the trials was to assess the performance of Smart Meters, their impact on customers’ electricity consumption and the economic case for a wider national rollout.
Electric Ireland and SEAI both actively participated in the Smart Meter Customer Behaviour Trials in conjunction with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR). Electric Ireland customers who participated in the trials had a smart meter installed in their homes and agreed to take part in research to help establish how smart metering can help shape energy usage behaviours across a variety of demographics, lifestyles and home sizes. This anonymised data will be available at www.ucd.ie/issda/. No personal or confidential information is contained in the data set, which instead gives overall behavioural and usage patterns.
Liam Molloy, General Manager, Electric Ireland said: “The data collected from the Smart Meter Trials provides real insights into consumer energy consumption patterns. We are delighted that it is being made available for research purposes and hope it will be useful in the development of new products and services that will benefit modern energy consumers. The introduction of smart metering will allow customers to have real-time information on their energy usage at their fingertips and will create a platform for the development of a range of smart services in the home. The home of the future will have as standard a countertop touch-screen managing the home’s appliances, heating and alarm systems and a range of other useful home applications. Electric Ireland is working with a range of companies to make this a reality with the benefits of convenience, reducing energy consumption and saving money on energy bills.”
Professor Own Lewis, CEO of SEAI, commented: “Ireland’s Smart Meter Behaviour Trial is one of the largest statistical studies of its kind undertaken anywhere in the world. I am sure this data will be of great interest to researchers in Ireland and internationally.”
Welcoming the announcement, Cathy Mannion, CER said: “The CER is pleased that Electric Ireland and the SEAI are providing this data to the energy market as it is reliable information pertaining to the Smart Meter Trials on electricity consumption patterns which will help develop competitive products and services following the anticipated roll out of Smart Meters in Ireland.”
The results of the Smart Meter Trials published by the CER in May indicated that Irish Customers responded very positively to Smart Meters by reducing their electricity consumption and bills. They also indicated that consumers would benefit from Smart Meters in the following ways:-
* More information to Customers: Smart Meters can read customers’ use of electricity over short intervals, e.g. every 30 minutes. Suppliers can use this information to provide detailed information on energy consumption and costs.
* Smaller Electricity Bills: By recording electricity use over short intervals, Smart Meters allow suppliers to charge different prices to customers at different times of the day in what is know as Time of Use Pricing.
* Energy and Operating Efficiency: Smart Meters should facilitate a reduction in electricity usage and generation, especially at peak times which will help energy efficiency and lower our carbon emissions, which is good news for the environment.
The CER has published the results of the Electricity Smart Metering Trials and the report can be found on the CER website at: http://www.cer.ie/en/information-centre-reports-and-publications.aspx.
The CER has published a Consultation paper on the High level design for the full roll out of Smart Metering in Ireland on 15th November and the consultation period ended on 13th December.