With our exponential energy consumption in wake of resource scarcity marred by heightened political tensions, it is inevitable that we need to move towards smarter modes of energy usage, Of course service providers can do their best to regulate usage, but given the opportunity to engage final consumers to optimize the 3-M’s would be a leap forward allowing them to really reach crux of the problem. Understanding & re-defining their own usage will permitting consumers to opt for multitude of benefits ranging from, “tariff change”, “prepay conversion”, “switch providers” or merely “behavioral change in usage pattern”, and not just limited to some fancy dashboards. Benefits are varied for different market in view to their local governmental policies, But to reap most of its profit is to look from both developed & developing world.
Markets in this domain are not yet very well kicked, although key operators have already plans in this direction across many countries but just few would think of engaging their customers to customize & optimize. Infact with M2M it’s very simple to cut supply for anyone’s over usage, but educating a customer for their occasional intentional or un-intentional overuse is a key to success and which is not on the cards. A highly informative survey done in United Kingdom by ESMIG (European Smart Metering Industry Group), “……Mere provision of smart meters to consumers is not sufficient to drive behavioral change by itself…….”.
We need to overcome the perception that smart metering is too sophisticated technology with little or no benefits to end user, In-fact by allowing consumers to learn and understand the ways to optimize the consumption is the best approach, knowingly them being the final users of this resource. This can be further simplified by allowing consumer to receive the usage information via smart Apps or web interfaces with innovative UX platforms. In my view as a consumer, we have fairly realistic expectations from such as Automated Climate Control, Energy Wasting Appliances, Dead or Unfair devices.
Service operators can allow this leap to futuristic reality through their seamless data networks overlaid with Cellular, WiFi and Other Low Power technologies that are highly capable of delivering such secure data to cloud networks. The entire chain from requires good governance in various steps such as roll out, certification of meters and security of data being used by third parties.
Nevertheless, entire system of smart metering is invariably a complex yet innovative product with many dimensions, where the success of innovation will be defined by end users for its ease and usability. An effective product which is easier to use increases its scalability & reliability turning loyalty & longevity in return.
Empower your consumers…Connect with them, so they could play vital role in relaying their needs thereby allowing you to shape your strategy in return for brand loyalty.
