Metering Europe in Amsterdam Looks at how Utilities can Meet Smart Meter Targets by 2020

AMSTERDAM, September 13, 2011 -

First “smart home” technology on show at Smart Homes 2011

What steps does Europe need to take for a full-scale smart meter roll-out? More than 4000 smart metering experts from utilities, energy regulators, technology suppliers and industry associations will gather at the annual Metering, Billing/CRM Europe conference and expo in Amsterdam to discuss the way forward in energy efficiency.

Challenges to EU roll-outs
Says Aida Mezit, Metering Europe producer:”The EU deadline of 2020 by which 80 percent of households should have smart meters is not that far off and the European Commission has estimated that we are on course to achieve only half of the 20% primary energy consumption savings objective. Therefore, all market players need to join forces in order to create the smart meter as a financially viable, technologically agile and consumer friendly tool for new energy efficiency.”

The 3-day programme focuses on areas of smart meter rollouts and operation; smart customer management; new generation architecture, in particular communication technologies; and meter data management.  

Speaker highlights include:

•   Fabrizio Barbaso, Deputy Director General, DG Energy, European Commission
•   Richard Schomberg, Chairman, IEC Smart Grid Strategic Group and responsible for EDF Group Smart Energy Standards
•   Gabriele Riedmann de Trinidad, SVP Strategic Market Energy, Deutsche Telekom

Smart Homes in action
Co-located will be Smart Homes 2011 where the first examples of ’smart home’ energy management technology will be showcased.  Says Smart Homes 2011’s project director Anthony Pohl:  ”having a ’smart home’ means you are able to control your heating, lighting, security, smart appliances and manage your energy consumption. We live in exciting times where ICT and smart phones enables us to do a numerous tasks on the go, and ‘taking control of the home’ is a logical next step.”

Germans taking the lead
The German market has without a doubt taken a lead in this industry with Deutsche Telekom’s T-Systems and RWE already offering real solutions to customers according to Anthony Pohl.  Both companies will display their new energy saving gadgets at Smart Homes 2011.  Other companies speaking and exhibiting include: Telecom Italia, Indesit, EDF, British Gas, Essent, Telefonic and Enel.

Event dates:
4-6 October 2011:  conference & expo
3 October 2011:  pre-conference seminars
Event websites:  www.metering-europe.com  www.smarthomes2011.com

Info and media accreditation: Communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol, Tel. +27-21-7003558; Mobile: +27-82-5627844, annemarie.roodbol at clarionevents.com