Economic growth, a growing population and an unprecedented demand for energy give raise to new challenges and investments all around the globe. The fast growing demand for energy and subsequent problems to social and environmental conditions stress the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. As part of worldwide energy related innovations millions, if not hundreds of millions, smart meters are being introduced and launched to the public.
Smart meters will help customers to save energy by offering direct feedback on actual energy consumption, billing options and comparative information on energy consumption. Many countries are on the brink of introduction of smart meters. The European Union aims at a widespread roll out: 80% of the customers in EU member states are to be served by a smart meter by 2020. The, planned, large scale introduction of smart meters has raised questions to stakeholders in several countries. Issues under discussion are for instance related to, privacy conditions, data and data ownerschip, electromagnetic fields, presence of a switch within the meter and the operation standards.
Meanwhile it seemed that no or little attention was paid to legitimate questions from stakeholders with respect to these and other issues. In the end it appears that questions on sustainability affect many stages of the smart meter value chain, customer preferences and set up by contractors included.
Preparing for the first ‘roll-out’ of smart meters in the Netherlands, Dutch network and gridcompanies joined to discuss their approach on the introduction of smart meters. In a workshop in which the larger grid companies participated, themes with respect to social responsibility and sustainability were introduced and demonstrated in a vivid way. For instance the workshop started with a session on the contents of wasted meters and cell phones. A short documentary was shown on the problematic situation with the excavation of minerals and metals in the east Congo area. Human rights and labour conditions are very much at stake in these area’s whereas the revenues of the mining activities do not contribute to local opportunities and peace.
It became clear to the participants: as an important link in sustainable energy grids, energy efficiency and customer relationship, the smart energy meter itself should be demonstrably sustainable ánd socially responsible. ‘The millions of smart meters we are going to introduce in the next decade also mean that we need to take responsibility to deal with their disposal’ was the clear conclusion at the end of the day. Considering the massive flow of meters in the Netherlands, Europe and globally one could conclude that a big difference can and should be made!