Europe - Smart Grid Developments

Synopsis

European countries have become major proponents of smart grid infrastructure and smart metering. Countries in the region have developed smart meter policies, in part overseen by the European Commission requirements to meet goals set for 2020. The sector has been stimulated by widespread regulatory measures affecting both regulated and liberalised metering markets, as well as a significant reduction in the cost of smart meter technologies and general moves towards intelligent grids which contribute towards lower carbon emissions. Thus Europe’s utility infrastructure is being upgraded with an intelligent IP overlay allowing utilities to manage their networks more efficiently and customers to manage their own energy use more effectively. This report provides an overview on smart grids in Europe, including analyses and information on deployments and regulatory policies.

Key developments:

Spain’s pilot projects a precursor to replacing 27 million meters by 2018; Sweden launches national Smart Grid Council; Estonia to move to complete smart meter system by early 2017; Ericsson providing Smart Metering solution to Sweden’s E.ON; EU invests €4.9 million in ICE-WISH project; cost benefits for consumers a selling point in difficult economic climate, over 300 smart grid projects underway in Europe despite economic crisis; M2M solutions for smart grids take shape; Ireland’s national smart metering programme enters second phase; France signs off on national smart meter rollout and approves gas meter policy, UK finalises smart meter policy, invests £2.4 billion for roll out.

Companies covered in this report include:

Vattenfall, Fortum, E.ON, DONG Energy, Enel, British Gas, Alcatel-Lucent, Vodafone, Endesa, EDF, Helsingin Energia, Enemalta Corporation.