Smart Meters

Take control of energy use

The idea behind smart meters is simple: let technology help you conserve energy and lower energy costs. Smart meters represent a new way of managing power, one that allows for two-way data and energy exchange.

Smart meters live on the Smart Grid, a new power distribution infrastructure. The Smart Grid represents the future of energy use and technology, and smart meters are the vanguard of its development. One early indicator of this growth: the European Union has mandated that 90 percent of homes use smart meters by 2020.

With smart meters, devices can be set to power on when demand for power is low. For consumers, smart meters mean more control over how energy is used. But for utilities, they allow for remote reading, monitoring of load control and other important functions. Today, smart meters let you run your dishwasher when it's most cost-effective; in the future, smart meters will let you push unused electricity back to the grid, reducing costs and easing the load on energy producers.

With the introduction of complex new technologies come risks. For everyone affected by the Smart Grid, the safety of these new products is paramount. That's why UL's compliance expertise is essential to getting safer technology on the Smart Grid. For more than 115 years, we have worked to educate consumers and certify that the products they bring home are safe. We work with regulators to create installation codes and standards that let consumers feel comfortable about bringing smart meters into their homes and businesses. For manufacturers, we evaluate the safety of their devices and provide education on emerging technologies and standards. UL certification means that everyone, from regulators to consumers to utilities, can be confident in the safety of that product.

UL can help businesses in a range of ways, including standards development, compliance expertise, and third-party testing and certification. We are deeply involved with the creation of new standards for smart meter technology, so when you partner with UL, you can put industry-leading thought to work on making products more safe and reliable.

To learn more about how UL is helping develop safer smart meters, contact us via smart.meter@UL.com.

Additional Resources:

• Smart Meter Performance Testing (English)
• Smart Meter Performance Testing (Chinese)