Government announces smart meter plans

The Department of Energy & Climate Change says that smart meters will be rolled out through energy suppliers under final plans published by Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Hunt. Lord Hunt said that the development costs are estimated at £27billion over the next five years and set out his plans for the implementation of smart meters across Britain. He said: "A global climate deal in Copenhagen needs all countries to make the most ambitious commitments possible, but it will also require all of us to change how we lead our lives and how we generate our energy." These include making energy suppliers responsible for installing smart meters in their customers' homes; supplying a standalone display device with user friendly meters; centrally coordinating the communications between smart meters and the utility companies to ensure easy switching between suppliers. Smarter Grids: The Opportunitywas published today and describes how smart grids can give operators and consumers much more information about supply and demand of electricity, enabling more effective interaction between consumer needs and fluctuating supplies. Lord Hunt concluded: "Smart meters will put the power in people's hands, enabling us all to control how much energy we use, cut emissions and cut bills. Smart grids will help manage the massive shift to low carbon electricity such as wind, nuclear and clean fossil fuels."