Smart Meters Replacement Benchmark Study

This report is a benchmark study focused on the replacement of smart meters, commissioned by CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy. It aims to gather evidence from various smart meter owners and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to address three key questions regarding the ageing trends, replacement drivers, and justifications for smart meter replacements. The study highlights the ageing of smart meter fleets, noting that meters from the initial rollout between 2009 and 2014 will exceed their 15-year design life by the end of the 2026-2031 regulatory period. The report details the methodologies employed, including interviews with smart meter owners and a literature review of jurisdictions with similar rollout timelines. Key findings indicate that five out of eight interviewed smart meter owners have reported increased failure rates as their fleets age. The report also discusses the strategies for replacement and the justifications provided to regulators in other jurisdictions, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to the replacement program.