Smart meter standard

Cambridge Consultants has launched what it is calling the Universal Metering Interface (UMI), a new standard for metering systems.

UMI enables manufacturers to start rolling out and installing smart-ready meters ahead of decisions about how they should communicate with the grid, appliances, or other devices.

UMI is being offered by Cambridge Consultants as an open standard for the metering industry to help quickly resolve the communications debate that is currently delaying the roll-out of smart meters. The new standard has already been adopted by Elster, one of the largest meter vendors in Europe.

Smart metering is crucial in the effort to make future energy savings and to tackle climate change. According to the Energy Saving Trust, smart meters can help consumers reduce their carbon emissions by five to 10 per cent.  If the UK as a whole adopted smart meters and reduced energy usage by five per cent, this would save £1.2bn a year on bills and 7.4m tonnes of CO₂ emissions.