Global sustainability, innovation and governance dynamics of national smart electricity meter transitions

Global Environmental Change 68 (2021) 102272

25 Pages Posted: 5 May 2021

See all articles by Benjamin K. Sovacool

Benjamin K. Sovacool

Science Policy Research Unit; Boston University - Department of Earth and Environment; Department of Business Technology & Development

Frank Geels

The University of Manchester

Andrew Hook

University of Sussex - Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU)

Siddharth Sareen

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: May 4, 2021

Abstract

Smart electricity meters are a central feature of any future smart grid, and therefore represent a rapid and significant household energy transition, growing by our calculations from less than 23.5 million smart meters in 2010 to an estimated 729.1 million in 2019, a decadal growth rate of 3013%. What are the varying economic, governance, and energy and climate sustainability aspects associated with the diffusion of smart meters for electricity? What lessons can be learned from the ongoing rollouts of smart meters around the world? Based on an original dataset twice as comprehensive as the current state of the art, this study examines smart meter deployment across 41 national programs and 61 subnational programs that collectively target 1.49 billion installations
involving 47 countries. In addition to rates of adoption and the relative influence of factors such as
technology costs, we examine adoption requirements, modes of information provision, patterns of incumbency and management, behavioral changes and energy savings, emissions reductions, policies, and links to other low carbon transitions such as energy efficiency or renewable energy. We identify numerous weak spots in the literature, notably the lack of harmonized datasets as well as inconsistent scope and quality within national cost benefit analyses of smart meter programs. Most smart meters have a lifetime of only 20 years, leading to future challenges concerning repair, care, and waste. National-scale programs (notably China) account for a far larger number of installations than subnational ones, and national scale programs also install smart meters more
affordably, i.e. with lower general costs. Finally, the transformative effect of smart meters may be oversold, and we find that smart electricity meters are a technology that is complementary, rather than disruptive or transformative, one that largely does not challenge the dominant practices and roles of electricity suppliers, firms, or network operators.

Keywords: Smart meters, Energy transitions, Energy and innovation, Smart grids

Suggested Citation

Sovacool, Benjamin K. and Geels, Frank and Hook, Andrew and Sareen, Siddharth, Global sustainability, innovation and governance dynamics of national smart electricity meter transitions (May 4, 2021). Global Environmental Change 68 (2021) 102272, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3839552

Benjamin K. Sovacool (Contact Author)

Science Policy Research Unit ( email )

Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SL
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/373957

Boston University - Department of Earth and Environment ( email )

Boston, MA
United States

Department of Business Technology & Development ( email )

Nordre Ringgade 1
Aarhus C, DK-8000
Denmark

HOME PAGE: http://pure.au.dk/portal/en/persons/id(fca10105-c4eb-4f0f-99a7-a354a8a8a47a).html

Frank Geels

The University of Manchester ( email )

Oxford Road
Manchester, N/A M13 9PL
United Kingdom

Andrew Hook

University of Sussex - Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU)

Brighton, BN1 9SL
United Kingdom

Siddharth Sareen

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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