Beyond Billing - other uses of smart meter data

Most people associate smart meter data with the original objectives of accurate billing (and eliminating the need for manual meter readings), improved distribution network management (to plan production, manage the grid, identify demand and predict issues), and to allow consumers to monitor their usage (and identify times when and areas where they can save energy).

Other market sectors are starting to use smart energy data in more innovative ways; for energy efficiency applications, to help manage smaller scale production, support the evolution of the IoT connected home, to help develop the UK EV infrastructure, even to gather data required for carbon reporting in some regulated sectors.

But, while the implementation of smart meters is primarily associated with these core objectives, the wealth of data they produce has wide-ranging applications far beyond the confines of the traditional energy industry or the obvious and well publicised energy efficiency initiatives.

I have tried to collate some of the more unusual and alternative ways I have come across where smart meter data might be harnessed for non-energy-sector-related benefits. Note that many of these are not even close to being implemented yet... rather they are meant to encourage debate and new ideas!

Public Health Insight

Smart meter data, when anonymised and aggregated, can reveal valuable patterns about human behavior and well-being. For instance:

• Identifying vulnerable populations: Anomalies in energy consumption patterns can indicate potential health emergencies in households occupied by elderly or other individuals less able to cope on their own. This information can trigger timely interventions by welfare services.
• Mapping disease outbreaks: Monitoring regional energy use fluctuations can help track the spread of contagious diseases; for instance, people exhibiting symptoms tend to stay indoors, altering energy consumption patterns when compared to a normal baseline.
• Air quality monitoring: Energy usage change associated with periods of high air pollution could indicate the need for health advisories or targeted policy interventions. Although there is argument over whether usage increases or decreases, and meteorlogical data would need to be included in the analysis.

Urban Planning and Infrastructure

Smart meter data (especially when used alongside other aggregated data, like cell tower demand) also offers insight into the cadence of a city, helping with:

• Traffic management: Analysing aggregated energy consumption patterns in specific areas can help map traffic flow, identify congestion hotspots, and inform decisions about traffic light systems and road infrastructure.
• Public transport optimisation: Real-time energy data can pinpoint areas with increased foot traffic and movement patterns, helping optimise bus routes and scheduling.
• Disaster response: During natural disasters or severe events, smart meter data can aid disaster recovery services by identifying areas experiencing disruptions or spikes in energy usage, helping prioritise rescue and aid efforts.

Social and Economic Research

Smart meter data provides a unique lens into human activity, offering value for:

• Demographic studies: Energy consumption patterns can offer insights into population density, household size, and socioeconomic trends, helping inform local policies and initiatives.
• Understanding economic activity: Mapping energy use patterns in commercial districts can reveal economic vibrancy, identifying thriving businesses and potential areas in need of support.
• Behavioral psychology: Analysing how energy consumption patterns change in response to external factors like weather events or price fluctuations provides insights into consumer behavior and decision-making processes.

Environmental Conservation

The environmental applications of smart meter data are plentiful just in terms of their ability to help and encourage lower energy use, but there are other potential smart meter data uses:

• Monitoring water leaks: It has been shown that unexpected increases in water usage, reflected through correlated spikes in energy usage, could indicate leaks in the water supply chain. This data can help proactively identify leaks and prevent water wastage.
• Wildlife protection: Analysing energy consumption patterns in remote or sensitive areas can help monitor unusual activities and potential threats to wildlife habitats like poaching or illegal logging; some research in other countries are looking into this, and we should consider how it might be useful in the UK too.

Emergency Services

Smart meter data has the potential to be a valuable tool for emergency services in several ways, but strict ethical considerations and legal frameworks are crucial to ensure responsible use and data privacy.

• Identifying potential dangers: These may be at unoccupied properties at risk of gas leaks or fires, or for detecting suspicious activity and patterns in energy use.
• Improving response times: Data on energy usage patterns in different areas could help emergency services anticipate potential rescue service demands during extreme weather events or outages, allowing for better resource allocation and faster response times.

However, to fully leverage the potential of smart meter data for non-energy uses, it's crucial to address a number of important areas.

Robust anonymisation protocols and strict data handling policies are needed to protect consumer privacy while enabling valuable data-driven insights and benefits. Forging partnerships between the energy sector, technology providers, public health organisations, urban planners, and many other groups is vital to optimise data management and use, and develop efficient, innovative solutions.

So, what other uses for smart meter data are you aware of or considered?

I hope you found the article useful... but let me know if you have any questions, comments, additions or suggested corrections! I shall keep building new things into the article as I hear of and find new case studies, so please post here or DM me - links to source appreciated!