Greentech Lead U.S: Global installed base of smart gas
meters will increase from 10.8 million in 2012 to 71.2 million by 2020,
according to a new report from Pike Research.
As gas utilities look for ways to operate more
efficiently and provide enhanced applications to customers, the natural gas
meter market is shifting from traditional manual-read devices to more
intelligent meters with sophisticated capabilities, the research said.
These smart gas meters are expected to create
efficiencies for utilities and open the door to enhanced applications that can
benefit both utilities and customers.
“Increasingly, utilities will deploy smart gas meters
over the coming years as they seek to increase operational efficiencies and
improve the reliability of their systems,” said senior research analyst Neil
Strother.
“The operational savings from a reduction in the number
of meter readers in the field are a given, but gas utility managers considering
a smart meter rollout must build a business case that includes increased
accuracy of meter readings, increased customer satisfaction, and the ability to
better manage energy use, especially in the peak months,” Strother added.
Utilities that have already deployed smart meters – gas,
electric, and water – are still trying to get a handle on how best to leverage
the huge volume of information now being generated by these advanced metering
infrastructure systems.
Beyond this enormous volume are the applications that
could possibly be enabled by the data, and the question of how those
applications will transfer to utilities and customers. For gas utility
managers, solving the data dilemma remains a near-term inhibitor to building a
strong business case, according to the report.