Latest news with #SmartMeters
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Kahramaa installs over 988,000 smart electricity and water meters
Doha: As part of its continued commitment to advancing service efficiency and sustainability, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has made significant progress in its nationwide Smart Meters Project. By mid-2025, more than 528,000 smart electricity meters and 460,000 smart water meters have been installed across the country, according to the figures shared by Kahramaa on its social media sites. The Smart Meters Project is a strategic mega initiative that includes over 12 sub-projects aimed at replacing all conventional meters with advanced digital meters for every consumer in Qatar. The ambitious plan targets full deployment of smart electricity meters by the end of 2025 and smart water meters by the end of 2027. These state-of-the-art smart meters are equipped with a wide range of features that enhance both user experience and operational efficiency. They allow real-time tracking of consumption, prepaid payment options, early fault detection at no extra cost, and faster property transfer and billing procedures. A dedicated mobile application informs customers of their consumption patterns, promoting better energy and water use management. At the core of the initiative lies a robust smart platform that forms the digital backbone for managing electricity and water data. Smart meters are connected to this centralized system and transmit data wirelessly, enabling remote monitoring, accurate meter readings, and automated billing. This shift significantly reduces the need for manual operations and the carbon footprint associated with on-site meter reading. In addition to enhancing customer services, the smart meters support Kahramaa's financial and environmental sustainability goals. They improve the efficiency of consumption data analysis, helping Kahramaa identify usage patterns, forecast demand, and optimize energy production. This results in lower carbon emissions, integration of renewable energy sources, and more efficient utility planning. The advanced infrastructure supports a wide spectrum of functionalities—from rapid meter provisioning and real-time consumption alerts to integrated system diagnostics and seamless data flow between consumers and the operations center. These capabilities not only enhance user satisfaction but also elevate the resilience of Qatar's utility grid against future challenges. Moreover, the system enables swift identification and rectification of anomalies, helping reduce wastage and leakage. This contributes to conserving national resources and aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in the domains of environmental development and sustainable infrastructure. By automating consumption monitoring and billing, the project also frees up Kahramaa's workforce to focus on strategic and technical upgrades, while reducing human error and enhancing reliability. The long-term impact includes operational cost savings, improved network resilience, and more accurate demand planning, which is crucial in managing a growing population and expanding urban infrastructure. Kahramaa's Smart Meters Project stands as a landmark achievement in the region's digital transformation journey, reinforcing Qatar's leadership in adopting smart technologies for public services. It is a testament to the country's foresight in building a more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally conscious utility network. Kahramaa continues to encourage all residents and business owners to embrace this digital shift, emphasizing that active participation and awareness are key to maximizing the benefits of the smart meters. As the nation moves toward a smarter and greener future, the Smart Meters Project marks a significant step in achieving long-term national goals of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eversource plans heft monthly charge for customers who opt out of smart meter
After a long, cold winter that resulted in sky-high energy bills for many Massachusetts residents, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced it is filing a comprehensive energy bill that will save ratepayers $10 billion over 10 years. Governor Maura Healey announced The Energy Affordability, Independence & Innovation Act at a press conference held at Leominster's Veterans Services building. The Governor said key reforms include eliminating and reducing certain electrical bill charges, furthering accountability for utilities on billing and reducing barriers to 'cutting edge nuclear technologies.' What's that charge for? We're breaking down your utility bills At the same time, Eversource announced it will begin rolling out Smart Meters this summer. Those meters will replace induction devices, which measure electricity use by the speed of a metal wheel that responds to differences in amperage. Induction meters have been in use for more than 130 years and are still considered a cheap and effective way to monitor energy consumption. One drawback to the meters: they have to be physically read. The new Smart Meters will use Wi-Fi to remotely transmit energy usage information in real time. Other advantages include the automatic relay of outage information and more accurate billing. Massachusetts is late to the game with Smart Meters, with many states adopting their use in recent years. 'All across the country people have already rolled out these meters and people are really enjoying them and understanding they can help them save money on their electric bills,' said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. 'I think people will really be able to save money on their bills by being able to have better control over their electric use and when they use it.' But critics of Smart Meters warn that with their reliance on Wi-Fi, the devices are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats that could result in the stealing of an enormous amount of personal data. And the roll-out is costly. Eversource, which services nearly 1.5 million Massachusetts electric customers, plans to recoup cost of installing the SmartMeters over a period of about six years. Customers have already begun paying for the new technology, in fact, at a rate of about $1.75 a month. That amount could rise as the replacement program gets underway — but a source tells Boston 25 News the charges will remain below $5 a month. Customers who don't want the remote technology can opt out. But manual reading will cost $34 a month, Eversource said — and the utility will charge a one-time service fee of $42. 'All across the country we're using these devices without any problems,' said Tepper. 'And to the extent that there are any issues we're going to address them.' Dave Keating of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) said issues are inevitable because Eversource is not using licensed electricians to install the Smart Meters. 'A lot of these homes are old and the meter sockets worn,' Keating said. 'If you just pop them out, there's a very good chance of them breaking, sparking, arcing.' Keating said that could result in a fire. But Eversource tells Boston 25 News that because no wires are involved in the installation of the Smart Meters, licensed electricians are not needed. However, the company said it will employ licensed electricians in the event technicians run into situations in which wires are involved. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Arab Times
11-02-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Zain showcases latest solutions to support public sector's digital needs
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 11: Zain announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of the Innovation and Excellence Award, along with the accompanying Conference and Achievements Exhibition organized by the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy. As part of its continuous efforts to contribute to the country's digital transformation journey, the company showcased a range of its latest digital solutions tailored to serve the needs of the public sector. The event was held under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Abdulaziz Boushehri, Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, alongside the Ministry's Undersecretary Dr. Adel Al-Zamel, Al-Assimah Governor Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali, Zain Kuwait's Chief Enterprise Business Officer Hamad Al-Marzouq, and Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer Waleed Al-Khashti, in addition to ministry leaders, officials from both the public and private sectors, and participating entities. On the sidelines of the event, Zain showcased at its dedicated booth a selection of key solutions and services from its digital portfolio designed to support the digital transformation needs of government institutions. These included cloud computing solutions, 5G communication services, data center services, and more. The company also showcased its success story with the Ministry of Electricity and Water through the Smart Meters project, which stands as one of the first fruitful partnerships with the public sector to achieve digital transformation since 2017. The event served as a key platform to highlight the outstanding achievements of the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy employees while fostering a culture of innovation and competition. It provided an opportunity for employees to present applicable ideas, products, and services aimed at advancing the ministry's sectors across engineering, information systems, administration, and finance. The ceremony was also accompanied by a specialized conference and the Achievements Exhibition, where various local and international companies showcased their major projects and services related to electricity, water, and renewable energy. The conference aimed to enhance discussions on the latest developments in electrical energy and water management, with a focus on challenges and sustainable solutions to ensure resource efficiency and meet growing demand. Bringing together an elite group of experts, decision-makers, and specialists from both the public and private sectors, the conference facilitated knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and the development of innovative strategies to advance the electricity and water sectors in Kuwait. As a leading digital services provider, Zain believes in the importance of harnessing technology and artificial intelligence to drive digital transformation and enhance digital innovation in Kuwait. The company remains committed to advancing innovative services powered by these technologies.
