City Power will be introducing smart meters over a three-year period. The detailed programme is being finalised and will be communicated in due course. The initial phase is focusing on Larger Power Users (LPU) located throughout the City of Johannesburg. Meter installation should take no longer than an hour and will be carried out in consultation with residents.

By 2015, the project’s expected completion date, City Power consumers will be serviced by either conventional prepaid meters or by smart meters.

Smart meters are electricity meters which are linked to computer systems. They are also known as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and support automated meter reading (AMR). Automated meter reading reports the exact amount of electricity used during a particular period, without requiring physical visits to properties by City Power technicians. In this they contribute to billing accuracy, as consumption is monitored in real time and estimated readings will no longer be required.

Smart meters contribute to the stability of electricity supply, as they send an alarm as soon as power is lost or interrupted. This means unplanned power interruptions can be detected immediately, leading to quicker response and shorter power restoration times. In addition, alarms report any tampering or illegal activities and electricity losses can be monitored.

Customer communication can be improved with the support of smart meters and related infrastructure. City Power will have the ability to send SMS communication to consumers, notifying them of power interruptions, requesting them to reduce consumption, or to send billing-related information. Customers will also be able to send SMSes, for example around power interruptions or to request consumption data. Large Power Users – such as factories, residential complexes and shopping malls – will be able to view their consumption statistics in real time on a dedicated web portal.

Smart meters utilise the GPRS network for communication, which minimises communication costs compared to GSM, avoiding the use of SIM cards which can be stolen or tampered with.

These meters also support several other features which help to minimise electricity consumption, such as load management. Smart meters are able to shift electricity loads away from peak periods and to restrict customers’ electricity use during periods of supply constraints. Customers are able to monitor and manage their own consumption and specific loads can be switched on or off based on electricity usage.

A smart metering system is a necessary precondition for the implementation of time-of-use tariffs, as the meter can be configured for different consumption periods, such as peak and off-peak. These tariffs would help to shift consumption away from peak periods, when the most strain is put on the grid. City Power is considering implementing time-of-use tariffs at a later date but has not yet made a final decision on this issue as it will be done in consultation with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

With accurate and real-time area-specific consumption data, City Power can make informed decisions on network strengthening, expansion and upgrading.