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What are Smart Meters? A Comprehensive Guide for Energy and Facility Managers

Updated: Jan 3

Smart meters are changing the way businesses manage energy consumption, providing detailed insights that lead to better energy efficiency and cost savings. This guide covers everything you need to know about smart meters, especially in the context of Portugal’s energy infrastructure, including practical steps and future possibilities.


smart meter

What is a Smart Meter?

A smart meter is an advanced energy meter that records electricity consumption in a 15 minute timestamp and sends this data to the energy utilities and third-party technology providers, automatically. Unlike traditional analog meters, smart meters provide detailed information about energy use, which allows for accurate billing without the need for manual readings. They play a crucial role in smart grid infrastructures, which aim to improve the efficiency and reliability of electricity distribution networks.


Smart Meters Guide for Managers Key Features:

Automated Data Transmission:

Smart meters transmit data on energy usage directly to energy suppliers, reducing the need for estimated billing and manual meter readings.


Detailed Consumption Insights:

These devices provide more granular data, such as 15-minute and hourly consumption, which can be used to optimize energy use and reduce costs​.


How to Identify if You Have a Smart Meter

In Portugal, there is a convenient way to check if you have a smart meter and verify your electricity consumption using your Código do Ponto de Entrega (CPE). E-REDES, the main electricity distribution operator in the country, offers a digital platform known as Balcão Digital. Through this online portal, consumers can access information about their CPE, energy usage, including checking if their smart meter is actively transmitting data and viewing detailed consumption reports.


To use Balcão Digital, you need your CPE, which is a unique code that identifies your specific electricity installation. This code can typically be found on your electricity bill. By logging into the Balcão Digital with this code, you can verify if your smart meter is correctly recording data, view historical consumption patterns, and even manage various aspects of your energy account remotely​.


You can also inspect the meter itself; smart meters typically have a digital display showing real-time energy usage. In Portugal, if your meter is integrated with a smart grid, you should receive communication from E-REDES, the primary electricity distribution operator, confirming that your smart meter is active​.


Who Installs Smart Meters in Portugal?

In Portugal, the installation and management of smart meters are handled by the Distribution System Operator (DSO), mainly E-REDES. This initiative is part of a national rollout aiming to modernize the energy grid and enhance energy efficiency. E-REDES is responsible for ensuring that these installations comply with national regulations and standards​.


Understanding the CPE and Its Importance

The CPE is a unique identifier assigned to each electricity supply point in Portugal. This code is essential for managing your energy account and can be found on your electricity bill. The CPE number is needed when contacting your energy supplier and accessing the E-REDES digital services, such as the Balcão Digital portal, which allows consumers to manage their energy data and settings​.


In Portugal, the classification of the CPE is essential for understanding the electricity supply types and their corresponding power capacities. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the different types of CPE and their power ranges:


Low Voltage (BTN - Baixa Tensão Normal):

Voltage Range: Typically less than 1 kV.

Power Range: Up to 41.4 kVA.

Usage: This is the standard type used for most residential homes and small businesses, covering typical household appliances and low-power commercial equipment​.


Special Low Voltage (BTE - Baixa Tensão Especial):

Voltage Range: Also less than 1 kV, but with special conditions.

Power Range: From 41.4 kVA up to 200 kVA.

Usage: This category is designed for larger commercial establishments and small industries that require more power than the standard low voltage can provide. Examples include large retail stores, mid-sized offices, and small industrial setups​


Voltage (MT - Média Tensão):

Voltage Range: Typically between 1 kV and 30 kV.

Power Range: From 200 kVA to 10 MVA.

Usage: Medium voltage supply is intended for large industrial consumers and large commercial entities, such as factories and significant office complexes, which require a substantial and consistent power supply​


High Voltage (AT - Alta Tensão):

Voltage Range: Above 30 kV or 60 kV.

Power Range: Suitable for very high power needs, often in the range of several MVA.

Usage: High voltage supply is used by large-scale industrial operations, including heavy manufacturing plants and major infrastructure facilities​

The distinction between these categories helps in managing and optimizing energy supply, ensuring that the infrastructure aligns with the consumer's power demands. Understanding your CPE type and its associated power range is crucial for businesses and facilities looking to optimize energy usage and manage costs effectively.


How Smart Meters Contribute to Energy and Cost Savings

Smart meters offer several advantages that can lead to significant energy and cost savings:


Accurate Billing:


By providing precise data on actual consumption, smart meters ensure that billing is based on real usage rather than estimates, reducing discrepancies and overcharges. As there is access to and registration of information in small timestamps, it is possible to process consumption data and detailed information about your consumption profile, thus helping in decision making such as choosing your tariff and hour cycle, as well as assessing which equipment consumes the most energy;


Energy Usage Insights:


Businesses can analyze consumption patterns and identify high-usage periods, enabling them to implement strategies to reduce energy use during peak times.

Integration with Energy Management Systems: Smart meters can be connected to broader energy management systems, allowing for automated control of appliances and equipment based on real-time data​


Data Collection by Smart Meters:


Smart meters in Portugal are equipped to collect and transmit data every 15 minutes. This information is sent daily to the energy supplier through secure communication networks (sFTP server). Although these meters are capable of providing near real-time data, the current standard setup typically supports daily remote readings rather than continuous real-time monitoring.


Real-Time Data Access: Is it Possible?


In Portugal, accessing real-time data from smart meters is not the standard offering, but it is possible through certain setups. Using a USB-compatible device that connects directly to the smart meter, consumers can pull real-time data into their systems. This setup requires specific hardware and software and is often used in pilot projects or specific consumer applications. While not widely available, this technology shows the potential for real-time monitoring.


Smart Meters and the Future of the Energy Market

Smart meters are foundational to the future of energy management, particularly in smart grids.


They facilitate:


Energy Communities:

By accurately measuring both consumption and production (for those with solar panels or other renewable sources), smart meters support the development of local energy communities where energy can be shared and managed collectively.


Demand-Side Flexibility:

Smart meters enable demand response programs, allowing users to adjust their consumption based on supply conditions, which is crucial for grid stability and efficient energy use​.


The Future of Smart Meter Rollout in Portugal

E-REDES has exceeded the target of 6 million smart meters installed across the country, which represents coverage of around 94% of customers in mainland Portugal in May 2024. Alongside this progress, E-REDES is also focusing on installing DTCs (Distribution Transformer Controllers) in Medium Voltage/Low Voltage Transformer Stations, which are essential for managing communication with smart meters.

Currently, almost 64,000 DTCs have been installed, which represents more than 95% of the target set for 2024 (approximately 67,000). The final target of 6.4 million smart meters, installed and in remote management, represents approximately all the customers in mainland Portugal, and is expected to be reached by the end of 2024. Meeting this target reinforces E-REDES' commitment to quality of service and the energy transition.

This rollout is part of broader EU energy efficiency goals and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Future enhancements could include more widespread real-time data capabilities and integration with advanced energy management systems, making smart meters an integral part of smart cities and sustainable energy infrastructure.


Challenges with E-REDES Data Management

While smart meters and the integration of E-REDES' infrastructure represent significant advancements in energy management in Portugal, several challenges still impact the quality and accessibility of data provided to end-users. These issues can affect energy monitoring, decision-making, and overall efficiency:


Estimated Data in the Data Package:

One of the primary challenges with E-REDES data is the presence of estimated values in the data package sent to users. This often happens when real-time data is not available due to connectivity issues or technical problems. Estimated data can lead to inaccuracies in consumption reports, making it difficult for businesses to make precise energy management decisions​


Lost Data and Delays:

Data transmission between smart meters and the central servers can sometimes experience interruptions, leading to lost data. In some cases, data may not be captured or may arrive late. These delays can result in incomplete consumption records, which may disrupt the continuity of data analysis. The integrity of historical data can be compromised, reducing the reliability of usage insights


Limited Access to Historical Data:

Currently, access to historical consumption data is restricted primarily to the Balcão Digital portal. While this portal provides a platform for users to view their energy usage, it has been noted that users found it hard to access historical data manually. This limitation poses challenges for businesses that require easy and quick access to their consumption history for detailed analysis​

Integration with Third-Party Systems:

Businesses may want to integrate smart meter data with their internal energy management systems or third-party software for monitoring and analysis. However, the current data infrastructure and accessibility limitations can make integration challenging, requiring additional tools and workarounds that can increase complexity and cost​


Conclusion

Smart meters are transforming how businesses and consumers manage energy, offering precise data that leads to better energy efficiency and cost savings. In Portugal, the ongoing rollout of smart meters is a significant step towards modernizing the energy grid, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources, and advancing the country’s sustainability goals. This "smart meter guide for managers" provide insights about smart meters, characteristics and how it is useful for managers. Builtrix helps businesses and facility managers make the most of this technology by providing insights and tools to optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and contribute to a greener future. With our expertise in energy management, we empower you to harness the full potential of smart meters, ensuring your operations are both efficient and sustainable.

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