Smart meter deployment targets may be missed

As we know, smart meters do not equal smart grid – they are just the first step. Internationally, governments mandate the roll out of utility meters. According to energy intelligence firm NRG Expert, $12 billion will be invested globally in electricity metering in 2015.

Some key countries are driving this popularity more than others:

China installed 60 million new units in 2011 and will deploy the same amount in 2012.

In the U.S., 33 percent of the population has smart meters, but growing opposition to smart meters is causing roll outs to be re-evaluated.

In Canada, there is also smart meter opposition due to perceptions regarding price, health and privacy issues. Utilities are being asked to make smart meters voluntary rather than mandatory.

In light of this research, NRG concludes that roll outs are moving at a steady pace, but with increasing resistance, growth may not reach targeted levels as soon as originally thought.

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