ᐅ Smart Meter – Still Not a Standard Feature in New Construction?

On Monday, our electricity meter was installed (NetzeBW). Since this is a new build and we have installed a photovoltaic system and an air-to-water heat pump, I assumed that the network operator would automatically install the latest generation electricity meter—a smart meter. Not the case. A regular digital meter is installed in the electrical cabinet.

How is it with you? We would be willing to pay higher meter fees; that wouldn’t be an issue. However, we weren’t even offered a smart meter.

Do you have to specifically request a smart meter from the utility provider? Are there any additional costs involved?
Do smart meters have any disadvantages (apart from higher fees)?

The question is, what do you mean by "smart"? What are you expecting?

The new meters have an infrared interface with a standardized protocol – these are smart meters. There are already several (electricity) providers that give you a device to process the data from this interface via Wi-Fi.

I have no idea what this whole "smart" thing is supposed to mean – just because a meter can now output data...

No, the real smart meters currently being discussed in the media should, in my opinion, also allow the network operator to throttle and disconnect the entire household connection. That’s probably not possible with the infrared interfaces, is it?

Kati2022 schrieb:

A standard digital meter is installed in the electrical panel.

This is the "modern metering system" that every connection is supposed to have by 2032. If you want a "smart metering system," you need to check with your metering point operator to see if they offer one and what the additional costs would be.

Hello,

Tolentino schrieb:

No, the real smart meters currently being discussed in the media should, in my opinion, also allow the network operator to throttle and disconnect the entire house connection.

Exactly. And to this day, I still don’t understand why I should also pay extra fees to enable the network operator to cut off my power...?!?

Best regards,

Andreas

Kati2022 schrieb:

Do you have to apply separately with the utility company for the smart meter? Are there any additional costs involved?
Do smart meters have any disadvantages (apart from higher fees)?

What benefits are you expecting from the installation?