SMS to survey up to 3,000 UK properties as part of smart meter innovation partnership

Smart energy solutions firm, SMS, has won a new contract with Alt HAN Co to provide metering systems surveyance for up to 3,000 homes across Britain. The surveys are part of an innovation project which aims to unlock the benefits of smart meters for the 4% of GB homes that are currently unable to access them.

The domestic properties have been identified by Alt HAN Co – the regulated, not-for-profit collective of UK energy suppliers – as candidate buildings for its new set of hybrid wired and wireless technology solutions designed to boost smart meter connectivity.

It is estimated that up to one million British households are currently hindered by connectivity issues whereby the components of the Home Area Network (HAN) – the energy meters, in-home device, and communications hub that make up a standard smart meter installation – are unable to communicate. This is most commonly the case in flats, apartment blocks and large domestic dwellings where components must be installed further apart than the normal HAN range allows.

To overcome this challenge, Alt HAN Co has developed a set of solutions, which includes powerline networking1 equipment manufactured by Landis+Gyr, that enable the communication of smart metering devices across a greater distance.

As well as carrying out surveyance on candidate buildings, SMS is also currently providing Alt HAN Co with interoperability testing for the solution at its Smart Test Centre in Bolton, Lancashire. The facility is replicating a building of 46 individual apartments with gas and electricity supplies, helping demonstrate the concept across multiple meter types and variations.

Tom Woolley, SMETS2 specialist at SMS, said: “In addition to the testing service we already provide Alt HAN Co, which is helping us gain an appreciation of the technical aspects of the solution and its interoperability with smart meters, this surveying work now enables us to have a much more in-depth understanding of the specific building requirements as well.

“These two critical steps ensure we’re in the best position possible to offer energy suppliers the specialist installation services required to access the remaining inaccessible housing stock. In doing so, we’ll be able to unlock the full benefits of smart meters to these consumers, whilst supporting suppliers with their mandated rollout targets.”

Find out more about SMS here