Japan will promote the use of a new generation of smart meters

Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd. plan to promote next-generation smart meters that can read user power information directly from the meter's “B channel” next year. Users can use the display screen of the HEMS (Home Energy Management System) to know how to use electricity in real time. This method not only makes it easier to save power on the user side, but also makes it easier for the user to set a detailed electricity tariff plan according to the load.

There are three channels A, B, and C for obtaining electricity information from the smart meter. The A-channel is obtained through the power company using the Internet, and the C-channel is obtained through a third party.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan will standardize the standards for smart meters and HEMS required interfaces this year to accelerate the unification of data formats provided by power companies. After the completion of these tasks and the development of the corresponding HEMS, the two power companies will begin installing smart meters with B-channel functionality.