Smart Energy Meters

A smart meter is an electronic device that records consumption of electric

energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least
daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing.
Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the central
system. Unlike home energy monitors, smart meters can gather data for remote
reporting.
In Smart Energy Meter, we have two parts basically,
Measuring Power Digitally.
Communication with the Base Station for Sending/Receiving Data.
Measuring Power Digitally:
Digital signal processor or high performance microprocessors are used in digital
electric meters. Like the analog meters, voltage and current transducers are
connected to a high-resolution ADC. Once it converts analog signals to digital
samples, voltage and current samples are multiplied and integrated by digital
circuits to measure the energy consumed.

Microprocessor also calculates phase angle between voltage and current, so that
it also measures and indicates reactive power. It is programmed in such a way
that it calculates energy according to the tariff and other parameters like power

factor, maximum demand, etc. and stores all these values in a non-volatile
memory EEPROM.
It contains real time clock (RTC) for calculating time for power integration,
maximum demand calculations and also date and time stamps for particular
parameters. Furthermore, it interacts with liquid crystal display (LCD),
communication devices and other meter outputs. Battery is provided for RTC
and other significant peripherals for backup power.

Communication with the Base Station for Sending/Receiving Data:

There are two ways of Communications:
1. Single way Communication (From Meter to Base Station) ------ AMR.
2. Two Way Communication (To and From Meter and Base Station) --AMI.
AMR Automatic Meter Reading.
AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure.

In our Project, we concentrate on AMI.

These can communicate in both directions. They can transmit the data to the
utilities like energy consumption, parameter values, alarms, etc. and can receive
information from utilities such as automatic meter reading system,
reconnect/disconnect instructions, upgrading of meter softwares and other
important messages. These meters reduce the need to visit while taking or
reading monthly bill. Modems are used in these smart meters to
facilitate communication systems such as telephone, wireless, fiber cable, power
line communications. Another advantage of smart metering is complete
avoidance of tampering of energy meter where there is scope of using power in
an illegal way.
What makes it "smart"?
Smart Metering systems feature several innovations: digital technology,
communications, control and better operation of networks. Smart Metering
technologies will change the way that metering works completely. They provide

customers with much more information on how they use energy and enable
those customers to reduce their usage.
Features:
1. Accurate measurement and transmission of electricity, gas, water or heat
consumption data
2. Provision of a two-way information gateway and communication
infrastructure between the meters and relevant parties and their systems,
for:
3. raising awareness and empowering the consumer through delivery of
actual consumption data
4. improving Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and services,
including automated billing/invoicing based on detailed metering data
5. managing energy networks/grids better by shifting or reducing energy
consumption, e.g. through Demand Side Management (DSM)
6. enabling new energy services for improving energy-efficiency
7. encouraging decentralised, micro-generation of energy, thus transforming
the consumer into a energy producer (Prosumer).
Advantages:
For consumers:
1. consumers can be informed remotely (historical data) or locally (real-time
data) on energy costs and carbon emissions
2. energy consumption of household gas, electrical and water equipment can
be displayed on the appliance or on displays
3. multi tariff functions can be added to allow demand response techniques
4. allows electrical appliances to be automatically controlled
5. allows the consumer to reduce costs by increasing energy consumption
during off-peak cheaper tariff periods.
For utilities:
1. gain first-class data
2. influence the energy consumption of their users
3. improve profitability of the technology once Smart Metering is also used
for gas, water and heat readings.
4. a reduction in costs to serve
5. open gateways for the delivery of energy services
6. assistance in the development of liberalised energy market
7. help for revenue protection
8. monitoring of the generation from building renewables
9. support in demand response techniques

10.more effective grid management

11.a new communication channel to customers.
For EU and national governments:
Smart Metering will:
1. prove to be THE tool to entice consumers to manage their consumption
better and reduce usage leading the way to improved service levels
through richer billing information
2. be a key weapon in the fight on climate change
3. help governments implement liberalisation of energy markets
4. allow the full realisation of the Energy Services Directive
Requirements for our Projects:
1. It should measure Energy in KWh.
2. The Value measured should be captured(Stored) and sent every 15min to
Base Station using ZigBee/Wi-Fi.
3. Display the values obtained on the LCD.
4. Detect and Prevent Illegal connections.
5. Cost effective product.
Illegal Connections:
Tampering with Energy Meter
Tapping of Wires on LT lines
Ignoring unpaid Bill
Delay in meter reading and billing

Tampering with Energy Meter:

Present days meters have following Anti tamper features are:
o Phase and neutral interchange
o Partially or Fully Earth Condition
o Missing Neutral
o Neutral Disturbance
o Missing Potential
o Bypassing Meter
o Double Feeding the Meter
o Magnetic Interference
o External Tampers
o High Voltage/Frequency Tamper
o Jammer

o Changing the Time

Magnetic Interference:
Meters use magnetic material in voltage and current measurement circuits and
thus are affected by abnormal external magnetic influences, that in turn affect
proper functioning of the meter.
One way to avoid this is by having magnet sensors to detect the presence of
abnormal magnetic fields and provide evidence by logging it as a tamper.
Jammer:
With this tamper device, high oscillatory waves are generated in a close loop
coupled through air with the digital components, which hangs the meter. During
this period meter, does not record energy. Effect of jammer can be nullified by
shielding the complete meter with metallic sheet.
Changing the Time:
Electric companies may have different billing rates depending on time of the
day,
maximum demand, load, etc., thus making a Real-Time Clock (RTC) an
essential part of the electronic meter to provide time reference. One may tamper
with the clock or manipulate the time to fool the system and charge differently,
such that metering firmware charges less due to non-peak load during
that time. Thus, the RTC circuit should not allow time reversal unless it follows
a secure protocol. Meters have a provision to record with date and time the
tampering done with the RTC. IV. Features in Smart Metering to prevent
Tampering.
Tapping of Wires on LT lines:
This is basically Bypassing the meter and consuming the Energy illegally.