ERA position
Smart meters have the potential to revolutionise our energy industry and we welcome the potential they bring. The introduction of smart metering would require a significant change to our existing metering infrastructure and substantial investment to support its sustainability. This is why the Energy Retail Association has set up the Supplier Requirements for Smart Metering (SRSM) project to analyse and deliver an operational framework for smart metering.

Supplier Requirements for Smart Metering (SRSM) Project
Phase One of SRSM Project

We established the SRSM project in September 2006 to focus on the requirements for delivering smart meters, rather than the solutions or timing, and this was successfully completed in January 2007. This first phase of the project delivered a number of important outcomes:

· The functional requirements for gas and electricity smart meters

· The definition of interoperability

· A high level industry impact assessment

These results were achieved through a significant programme of work by the ERA and its members. The project also consulted with a wide group of key stakeholders, including the meter manufacturers, meter operators and non-ERA Suppliers. This included a stakeholder seminar and consultation process that attracted over 850 comments that were all considered by the project in developing our products.

The outcomes of the first phase of SRSM provide the necessary certainty for moving ahead into the next phase of the project, which will define the operational framework for smart meters. Here are the key documents from the first phase of the SRSM project;

· SRSM Project Terms of Reference/Project Brief

· SRSM Project Plan

· Functional Specification of Electricity Smart Meter

· Functional Specification of Gas Smart Meter

· Data Item Definition

· Interoperability Definition and Scope

· Interoperability Requirements

· High Level Industry Impact Assessment

Phase Two of SRSM Project

In February 2007 we began the second phase of the SRSM project. The objective is to develop and agree the operational framework for the delivery of smart metering and here is the Project Brief.

The focus of our work is on domestic non-half hourly (NHH) electricity and domestic Small Supply Point (below 73,200 threshold) gas metering. However, the operational framework that will be delivered could also apply to non-domestic customers and this will be considered in its derivation.

It is too early to know exactly what the operational framework will include but it is expected that it will define:

· SRSM smart meter functional specification(s)

· Data definition

· Smart metering system solution(s)

· Communications solution(s)

· Business process definition

· Interoperability standards

· Commercial framework

· Architecture standard

Frequently asked questions