Trends in smart metering

Especially in Europe there is a need to improve the end-use of energy in order to manage the demand of energy. This improvement leads to a contribution to the reduction of primary energy consumption as well as to the mitigation of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. The EU Directive 2006/32/EC for the improvement of end- use of energy requires among others the introduction of smart metering systems. Nowadays meter values are in some countries generally reported once a year. This process is not suitable for the realization of the EU Directive. Generally smart metering is basically performed with intelligent meters and systems that can communicate and provide information about consumption and prices very frequently. This paper presents strategies of different countries to realize the goals of the new EU Directive. A wireless automated meter reading system QUNDIS AMR will be also presented.