Abstract :
The privatisation of the utilities in the UK has brought with it a new agenda of improving customer service and the introducing competition. Technology has marched relentlessly onwards offering opportunities for cost effective solutions. Faced with this new agenda the electricity industry has recognised the potential benefits of opening a communication channel with the meter. The functionality of the link may extend to load control and tariff switching; load profiling; remote payment facilities; remote meter configuration; and network management and distribution automation. Low power radio is a contender for the communication medium for the electricity meter of the future. The 184 MHz allocation is an exceedingly valuable acquisition but the electricity industry has a high expectation of future systems. Radio´s strength in this application is its ability to roll out whilst still demonstrating benefit to the industry en route. Design challenges remain particularly on cost and coverage but early trials are promising and continued interest from the industry will surely spur the manufacturers on to find solutions
