If you live in Alabama (or Georgia), you are about to get a SmartMeter power meter. Alabama Power and Georgia Power customers can read all the details here and here.
Current Smart Meter customer benefits include:
- Alabama Power will be able to read your meter and generate your bill without having a representative visit your property.
- Gives Alabama Power the ability to re-read meters in a timely manner should customers have questions.
- Enhances Alabama Power’s ability to respond promptly to meter service requests as the customer base continues to grow.
- Since in-person meter readings will not be required, Alabama Power will reduce the number of vehicles on the road, reducing pollution and traffic while saving fuel.
Future Smart Meter benefits include:
- As Smart Meters are installed and enabled, the time needed to handle service orders, such as starting or stopping power, will be reduced.
- Smart Meters have the capability of reporting when power is out at a location and notifying the company when power has been successfully restored. This is particularly helpful if the customer isn’t at home when the power goes off.
- Smart Meters can provide online access to energy usage information. In the future, you’ll be able to better understand and monitor your own energy use.
- Once the program is installed, Alabama Power will be able to offer innovative rate options that meet your lifestyle — You’ll be able to better manage your energy usage and control your energy bill.
- Additional features will come as technology advances.
They should be installed statewide by 2011 and in the Birmingham metro area by 2009.
SmartMeter, a.k.a. AMR, technology seems to be the most significant technological advancement in the power distribution industry in recent years – power companies all over the world have already installed the meters, are installing them now, or are planning to in the future. Here is a map showing installations and ongoing AMR projects worldwide.