In the coming years, with the increasing installed capacity, smart meters will become the pioneers of diversified energy management solutions.

As one of the important projects of economic stimulus programs, smart grids have become almost overnight. Since the smart meter is one of the basic equipments of the smart grid, it is playing the role of a forward. In order to effectively control the power situation, the deployment and construction of smart meters in various countries around the world are in full swing.

A few days ago, Pike Research, an international market research organization, issued a report entitled "Smart Meter Market Forecast". The report pointed out that as governments have spared no effort to expand the deployment of smart meters, the market will experience a wave of climax.

According to the report on the number of installations in the next 10 years or a four-fold increase, the number of smart meter installations worldwide will increase by about four times in the next 10 years. According to statistics from Parker, by the end of this year, the number of smart meter installations in the world will reach 251 million units. It is expected that this figure will double in 2015 to 535 million units, and by 2020 it will probably reach a scale of about 1 billion units.

In fact, at the end of 2009, Parker had made smart meter predictions. At that time, it expects to install 251 million units in 2020, and this heavy emphasis on revising expectations is nothing more than to illustrate the rapid rise of the industry in the Asian market. is China.

Parker believes that this large market in China has added a lot to the development of the industry. With the rapid deployment of smart meters in China, it has further ensured its stable position in this market, and it is expected that this growth will continue for the next 10 years.

However, Parker still analyzes that in the second half of the 10-year period, there will be slight and slow growth, but it will not affect the overall growth trend.

"In fact, as a device, smart meters can record the user's use of electricity, water, and gas, and have a complete grasp of the power flow from the power plant to the user, and collect information from it, and read it electronically. However, this is only A small part of its function, it can also monitor the power status, distribution of power generation efficiency, etc. It not only saves costs, improves efficiency, but also reduces the power shortage during peak hours, improves the reliability of renewable energy supply, and implements green energy. The idea." Parker Market Research Director Bob? Ghosn said.

"The development and expansion of smart meters is a highlight of the value of global public utilities." Ghosn added, "After growing over the past two years, the industry has gained a firm foothold, and in the next few years, it will become increasingly With the increased installed capacity, smart meters will become pioneers in diversified energy management solutions."

The US energy monitoring company POWRtec also made positive comments on the development of the smart meter market in the coming years. The company’s CEO Grant? Jia Siming said: "Regardless of whether it is an ordinary user or a utility supplier, energy-saving emission reduction is the focus of attention, so the smart meter industry is more attractive. The industry usher in the prosperity period is expected."

Right now, countries all over the world are building a smart grid tightly. Many utilities are looking forward to being able to communicate with users in both directions and integrate smart metering with advanced metering devices. This will not only improve the visibility and management of electricity usage, but also provide A series of energy saving and management services based on. Obviously, as an important "part" of the smart grid, the market penetration of smart meters is also gradually increasing.

The Parker report predicts that the annual sales volume of smart meters will reach its peak in 2015, slightly over 100 million units, and then it will show a trend of gradual decline in shipments every year. However, after this period of moderate deflation, the industry will become more mature and more mature. universal. Parker pointed out that by 2018, smart meters will become the mainstream metering industry installation business, and by 2020 its global market share will account for 60%.

2016 revenue or over 12 billion US dollars The world's leading industry research institute In-Stat research predicts that in 2016, the global smart meter market revenue will exceed 12 billion US dollars, and China will be one of the products of the consumer market.

In-Stat pointed out that various countries are pushing the pace of smart meters, but the overall market continues to increase. In addition, the growth of the industry will be related to the installation of different regional markets.

The first is the North American market. It is expected that the installed capacity of smart meters will peak in 2012, and then the volume will slow down. The next is the Asia Pacific region. The peak period is expected to be in 2015; followed by the European market, the peak period will be around 2017; The markets of the Americas, Middle East and Africa will see a longer period of slow growth.

In-Stat Market Research Director Allen? Nokia said that for smart meter suppliers, Asia Pacific and Europe will become their markets after the growth momentum in North America has eased. ”

In addition, In-Stat also found that Zigbee technology will become an important driver in the future development of smart meters. This technology is a short-range, low-power wireless communication technology. For a long time, wires have always been a key part of installing smart meter devices. However, with the development of more and more wireless network technologies, such as Zigbee and Wi-Fi, smart meters can be made more convenient.

These inexpensive, low-power short-range wireless networking communication technologies can send users' power consumption information to power companies through smart meters to regulate the power supply status. Once wireless and smart meter deployments are completed, they can also provide business opportunities. Extend to electric vehicles, renewable energy and other markets.

Noki revealed that, at the application level, Zigbee and Wi-Fi will not have an impact on smart meters, but it will also change the user's impression of smart meters. This day may be the latest in 2012.