Experience from real tests on multiple smart meter switching

Smart Meters (SMs) offer remote switching functionalities to the Distribution System Operators (DSOs). The DSO can switch the breaker of the SM of any customer remotely whenever needed. The DSOs are currently applying this technique for customers typically one by one when customers are changing their addresses or when contracts are terminated. The breaker functionalities of the SMs could be used for multiple customers, thereby opening up new possibilities to balance electricity consumption and production. How the technology has been functioning in practice has, however, not been fully investigated with regard to multiple SM switching. In this paper, the experience from real tests on simultaneous multiple SM switching is presented. The tests have been conducted to observe the effect of SM switching on power quality (PQ). Power Quality Meters (PQMs) had been used both at the substation as well as the customer level to measure the PQ during SM switching. This paper presents the results by showing current measurements during switching ON and OFF of multiple SMs belonging to each substation.