So, why exactly do we need a smart meter?

Government wants us all to have the technology in our homes by the year 2020. But why the rush?

TIME TO UPGRADE: Customers are being encouraged to switch to smart meters to help the country meet demand in the future he Government claims there are numerous benefits to having a smart meter installed in our homes, from improving energy efficiency and reducing costs to ending the scourge of estimated bills.

“Smart meters are ending families’ estimated bills, helping them to save energy and money, and are forecast to take £300m off consumer bills in 2020 alone,” says Claire Perry MP, Minister for Energy and Clean Growth.

But some people have been left uneasy with the initiative, which aims to have smart meters installed in every home in Great Britain by the year 2020. The drive has led to claims that smart meters are unnecessary, with a small number of people concerned that they will be forced to upgrade to a smart meter, even if they don’t want to.

Previously, the Daily Express’ Great Smart Meter Debate has explained the benefits of smart meter technology to customers.

Because a smart meter tells users how much energy they are using in near-real time, it means consumers are able to make changes to reduce their energy usage – and therefore, their bills.

What’s more, they put an end to the inconvenience and hassle of sending monthly meter readings to your energy supplier.

So far, millions of smart meters have been installed across Great Britain, with more and more being fitted every day.

But why is the Government so keen for energy companies to install smart meters by 2020? One less well known reason is that it will help every home in Great Britain cope with changing energy demands and build a sustainable future for generations to come.

When there is a gap between supply and demand, smart meters can help energy suppliers direct energy to where it is needed most, and help to keep the lights on. future, so our grid needs to be updated to help cope with demand. This is why the smart meter roll-out is so important.”

In the future, more sustainable energy like wind and solar power will come into the grid. But because it can only be stored for a short period of time, a smart system is needed in order to help direct it to the right places.

Smart meters could help to encourage people to use this green energy up by showing usage in real time, and even offering discounted rates to customers who use this energy at off-peak times.

“Because we don’t yet have storage, you have to use renewable energy quickly,” says Jane. “So if it’s windy in Scotland, a smart grid can send that energy to people who will use it within that time frame.”

Another way our energy use is predicted to change is the increasing popularity of electric cars.

The Government aims to stop the sale of all conventional petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040, which will help tackle air pollution and global warming.

But according to a report by Leeds University, this could put a huge strain on the energy grid,