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What is a smart meter?

Karl-Heinz Kettl from the Styrian Chamber of Labor(Bild: Krone KREATIV/AK Stmk, Stock adobe )

What is a smart meter, what advantages does it have over an analog electricity meter and do I even have to agree to its installation? Karl-Heinz Kettl, energy and economic policy expert at the Styrian Chamber of Labor, has the answers.

A smart meter is a so-called "intelligent" electricity meter. In contrast to analog electricity meters, it also has data transmission capabilities. In the standard configuration, daily values are transmitted to the grid operator. In the extended configuration, which is only possible with the customer's consent, 15-minute consumption values can also be transmitted. In both settings, the grid operator can retrieve the measured values as required.

This does not necessarily have to be done daily, as the values are stored in the device for 60 days. The configurations can be changed at any time if required.

At least 95 percent of metering points in Austria must be equipped with smart meters by the end of 2024. The grid operator must provide information about the replacement in good time and explain the options.

The "standard digital meter" setting can be used to deactivate the "smart" functions of the meter. However, the installation of the device itself must be permitted. In this setting, additional functions are deactivated, no meter values are stored in the device and only a readout when required, usually annually, is permitted.