It is estimated that almost eight million natural gas meters are installed in Spain, of which around six must have been completely replaced by smart units before January 1, 2034. The change will mean an investment of 800 million euros for distributors.
It is estimated that this replacement of meters will provide benefits ranging from a reduction in consumption and greenhouse emissions, to an improvement in the service to reduce complaints, through the establishment of advanced pricing systems or greater detection and prevention of fraud, among others.
Additionally, the new smart meters will facilitate the penetration of renewable gases – initially they will support a 10% hydrogen mixture, which can be reinforced later – and will be compatible with biomethane and synthetic gases, so that they will allow progress along the path of decarbonization.
Smart gas meters, which will replace the current analog models, are the future for the gas sector, since they represent an important step in the modernization of the sector, by introducing the use of advanced technology to achieve improvements in energy efficiency, safety and quality of service, while allowing the use and integration of green gases.
The National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) estimates the benefit that the change to these new meters will bring to society due to greater energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact at 110 million euros. Other neighboring countries, such as Italy and France, have already undertaken their successful deployment and, in Europe, there are already more than 45 million digital meters installed.
Naturgy is one of the five companies that will undertake the change of accountants in the coming years. Through its gas distributor Nedgia, it will install more than 5.5 million of these smart gas appliances in the country. The energy company has already launched pilot projects that contemplate the installation of more than 30,000 digital devices in Communities such as Castila y León, Catalonia, Navarra, La Rioja, Valencian Community, Andalusia and Madrid, “with very satisfactory results”, since, as the company states, “it is allowing them to have 99% of the daily details of customer readings, compared to the current system that sets bimonthly readings and a minimum annual reading”.
4 advantages of the new smart gas meters
Consumption efficiency and bill savings: According to Naurgy, access to the real meter reading, remotely and digitally, allows consumption to be optimized. The deployment will mean a saving of more than 4% of national gas consumption, according to the “Plan + Security for your Energy” and RDL 18/2022, which approves measures to reduce energy consumption. These savings will be possible thanks to the user’s access to much more detailed information on consumption habits.
Improved customer service: The installation of these meters will eliminate the current reading estimates, which will mean an improvement in the service in those cases in which the meters are located inside homes or in areas that are difficult to access. In the same way, these counters will allow a streamlining of the procedures linked to the registration, cancellation or change of marketing companies by the client, which will be carried out with the actual reading, avoiding estimates. Digital meters will improve the safety of natural gas installations.
Improvement in the operation of the system, modernization and digitalization of the natural gas sector: Energy balances will be precise, reducing the uncertainties of marketers and their deviations in purchases, which will translate into lower costs for consumers. They will also contribute to the modernization and digitalization of gas infrastructure.
Promotion of the energy transition: The use of these meters is enabled and facilitates the use of green gas in homes, a trend aligned with the objectives of the energy transition and that will be essential to achieve the decarbonization of domestic consumption efficiently.