Smart Energy GB

The government wants energy suppliers to install smart meters in every home in England, Wales and Scotland. There are more than 26 million homes for the energy suppliers to get to, with the goal of every home being offered a smart meter by 2020. Fitting smart meters, creating a new wireless communications grid and ensuring everyone gets the benefits. There are a lot of organisations, as well as new regulatory codes and standards. Here’s a brief breakdown of all the responsibilities:

• THE GOVERNMENT – The government has set the targets and established roles and responsibilities for the national rollout of smart meters. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is leading and monitoring the rollout. It has also set rules and standards to ensure that consumers are protected. These include rules around technical standards for the equipment and making sure the needs of vulnerable people are met.
• OFGEM – The energy regulator Ofgem is responsible for making sure consumers are protected. They’ll ensure that the energy suppliers stick to the standards set out in the Smart Metering Installation Code of Practice (SMICOP). They are also responsible for the governance of the Smart Energy Code which the Data Communications Company, the energy suppliers and the network operators have signed up to.
• THE DATA COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY – The Data Communications Company provides the communications infrastructure that handles smart meter data. They make sure smart meters have the right information to generate your bill.
• ENERGY SUPPLIERS – The energy suppliers are responsible for supplying and fitting smart meters. They need to abide by the rules and regulations set out in the Code of Practice (SMICOP), including making sure people know how smart meters work and how to control their data. They also have to make sure that the smart meters they supply meet government standards – the Smart Metering Technical Standards (SMETS).