Analysis of regulatory process for the implementation of smart metering in Brazil

Abstract

The expansion of smart metering technology worldwide has represented a change in the energy sector, as it incorporates new technologies for energy consumption. In Brazil, this topic has been contributing to the formation of a regulatory framework regarding new technologies and to the technological training of the national industry. However, the country still needs to overcome some challenges in this sector regarding, for example, energy loss and the lack of interoperability among power metering systems and equipment. In Europe, some countries are in an advanced process of smart metering implementation since they have created all the regulatory and technological foundation needed to support this advancement. This article brings as novelty the analysis of different generations of smart meters in order to classify the existing technologies in Brazil. Given the advanced position of some countries in Europe in the deployment of smart meters, the study also aims to analyze the Brazilian regulatory process aimed at smart metering from the various European Commission measures and directives, as well as some initiatives practiced in specific countries, such as Italy and the United Kingdom. In addition, the study aims to compare the minimum functionalities of the European Union’s measurement system with the Distributed Measurement System (DMS) used in Brazil. These analyses aim to identify the level of smart metering in Brazil and present the best practices adopted in Europe to contribute to the formation of public policies aimed at the dissemination of smart metering in the country.