Opportunity Knocks Again as 150 Million Utility Meters in China to Get 2-way Communications Between 2013 and 2018

Since embarking on its national smart metering project at the turn of the decade, more than 200 million new electricity meters have been deployed across China. However, according to ABI Research’s latest research, only around 50 million have so far been connected with bi-directional capabilities that can support true smart meter capabilities such as demand response. In short, this key smart meter project has not been that ‘smart’. But it is set to get smarter, and that means another wave of opportunity for technology providers.

China’s smart meter rollout is a key deployment representing a significant share of smart meter shipments and investment worldwide. Technology firms from connectivity chip providers such as ST Microelectronics, Silicon Labs, and Atmel to smart meter vendors including Echelon, Siemens, and Landis+Gyr are set to benefit.

Now the program is reaching a key stage where connectivity will come to already deployed and new meters alike. Increasingly, that connectivity will be bi-directional as China’s utilities’ smart grid plans expand to manage smart meter use as well as collect usage data. Investment to deliver bi-directional communications will also bring a further wave of competition from Chinese and overseas technology providers.

“Existing meter specifications have ensured meters deployed over the past five years can be upgraded to support bi-directional connectivity. This combined with a recent commitment to consider wireless as well as PLC connectivity, means that there is a growing opportunity for existing and new connectivity hardware providers,” says Jonathan Collins, principal analyst at ABI Research and author of a new report “China’s Smart Grid Spending Blitz: An Overview and Its Global Impact”.

Meter deployments have so far been dominated by Chinese meter manufacturers but components often leverage technology and products from overseas suppliers. The shift to greater connectivity provides further potential for non-Chinese players to see their technology included and many suppliers are looking to partner with Chinese meter manufacturers to enable this. The next 12 months heralds a key period of technology assessment that will drive new industry partnerships as players bid to gain greater traction in the Chinese market.

So far, within the smart meter rollout by China’s State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and Southern Grid Utilities, new meters have ranged from unconnected to single direction communication only. One-way communication is only suitable for less complex applications such as remote meter readings.

These findings are part of ABI Research’s Smart Grids Research Service.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.