The impact of the smart meter chain

The impact of the smart meter chain deserves clear investigation. With respect to the Fair Meter Initiative we collected data by searching the internet for publications and studies. We spoke to local experts and were inspired by the evidence, material, approach and enthusiasm of, for instance, the Dutch Fairphone organisation.

Fairphone is a social enterprise that started by 2010 and aims at raising awareness about conflict minerals in electronics. By now Fairphone has launched a first smartphone that meets social and sustainable standards. The participation of large telecom companies, such as Vodaphone and KPN, is conspicuous. Information can be found at www.fairphone.com. Subsequently: what is the impact linked to the smart meter chain? We identified five areas that deserve attention from the perpective of sustainable and social responsibility.

Restmateriaal electronica

Impact: raw materials

A wide range of raw materials and elements are used at the production of smart meters. Especially the electronic components of the communications module may include rare and disputed materials. These concern: tin, copper, steel, iron and parts such as polycarbonate, glass fiber, ABS, printed circuit board, electronics components. Tantalum may also be found within the electronic parts. The impact of the most disputed materials are elaborated. Besides the excavation of raw materials, production, and labour, human rights practices need special attention.

Tin

Tin
Tin is a conflict mineral. The largest tin mines nowadays are in Eastern Congo, where the army tries to control mines by demanding the miners to pay a toll at the entrance. This way illegal mining of tin is stimulated. At mining sites and in the illegal mines forced labour practices are recorded. Tin is used to solder elements to the print board.

Tantalum

Tantalum
Tantalum is a rare, conflict mineral. In Eastern Congo, tantalum is mined illegally for low costs. The raw material (Cobalt) is often found in the deeper grounds of rainforests.Therefore mining is very harmful to the flora and fauna in Africa. Tantalum is used as a capacitor and enhances the development of smaller devices. Prices have increased 6 times in the last 3 years.

Impact: emissions

Nearly all stages of the smart meter life cycle give raise to emissions. Most of the emissions are CO2 and NOx due to transport and energy usage. Furthermore, emissions to the air due to excavation and production processes and polution of water at mining sites are reported. Exposure to electromagnetic fields and its potential health effects are a topic in the media. This media raises public concern and uncertainty, not only about electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones, but also about electromagnetic fields emitted from base stations and other wireless networks.

Impact: use of energy

Energy use is related to excavation of raw materials, production, stock, set up, use and end of life processes. A lot of energy is used for transport at all stages of the meter chain.

Impact: labour

This is about excavation and mining conditions, labour conditions at production and assembly lines. Human rights are at stake in conflict regions. On the other hand there are chances for social return on investment for example at the redundancy phase of meters. Results at a Dutch Alliander project on recycling old mechanical meters show that recycling figures are best when the meters are dismantled by hand. This contributes to jobs for less qualified workers.

Impact: data exchange

The way data are dealt with is an issue that is publicly questioned. In different countries public discussions have unrolled on privacy of customers, as well as the management ánd ownership of data. The involvement and needs of stakeholders and customers are an important and necessary input in this. As the smart meter is intended to serve clients and contributes to a sustainable energy system it may reasonably be expected that transparency about data and data exchanges meets high standards.