Energy Saving News
Energy-saving smart meters 'creating business opportunities'
Several new business sectors are likely to develop in response to the introduction of smart meter technology, it has been claimed.
Writing in the Brisbane Times, Leon Gettler states that the use of smart meters to monitor energy consumption in homes and businesses will create the need for new support industries in Australia and elsewhere.
This is because the volume of data handled by energy providers will increase significantly once smart meters become widespread among householders and business owners.
Mr Gettler explains: "Instead of getting four sets of information a year, retailers will receive more than 17,500 (each day divided into 48 half-hour sets multiplied by 365).
"Retailers have put in new IT systems and hired more people to read masses of data pouring in. This could be outsourced to new businesses."
In Australia, the use of smart meters is being trialled in the state of Victoria, with a major rollout due to get underway this week.
Meanwhile, the UK government plans to have the meters installed in every home by 2020.
The growth of energy monitoring technology is already prompting major businesses to develop new products, with Microsoft recently unveiling its domestic energy management service, Hohm.
Wednesday 9th September 2009
