Smart meters (also known as 'advanced meters') are electronic meter devices which provide real-time information about the amount of electricity being used as well as the price of the electricity at any given time.
Smart meters can not only give more detailed information about consumers' electricity usage patterns, they can also communicate that information back to the electricity distributor via a telecommunications network.
An indoor display is usually provided as part of the system,
but some smart meters include personal computer connectivity so
that access to information will be made available directly from
a notebook or desktop.
The introduction of smart meters across Australia will also mean
that each house will be solar energy and wind power ready.
Currently when installing a home solar power system, the meter
often needs replacing with a bi-directional model that can
measure electricity being generated as well as consumed.
Smart meters - a rough guide: Alternative Technology
Association: 2010
http://www.ata.org.au/wp-content/renew/111_smart_meters.pdf
Smart meter: Wikipedia: 2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_meter
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