Smart Meter Glossary

27th June 2024

Demand response: Demand response refers to the capability of smart grid technologies to allow for reductions in electricity use, targeted at times when demand is highest. These peak reductions can reduce the strain placed on the electrical grid and decrease the need for high-cost generation resources. Consumers participating in demand response activities are compensated for the service.

Dynamic pricing: Dynamic pricing refers to the group of rates that offer customers time-varying electricity prices on a day ahead or real-time basis.

Estimated annual bills (EABs): This is a simple indicator that customers can use to compare tariffs from the same supplier or between different supplier tariffs. The CRU regularly publishes updates on the cheapest and most expensive EABs across electricity and gas suppliers. EABs are calculated based on an estimated average household consumption of 4,200 kWh of electricity and 11,000 kWh of gas. Find them here.

Flat rate tariff: A flat rate tariff is a 24-hour tariff, the unit rate is the same no matter what time of the day electricity is consumed. A customer who has moved to a time of use tariff can move back to a flat rate tariff at any time.

In-home display (IHD): An in-home display (IHD) is the portable device with a large screen which wirelessly connects to your smart meter to provide near real time information such as your usage in euros.

Kilowatt hour (kWH): A kilowatt hour is the amount of energy you get from one kilowatt for one hour. Electricity use over time is measured in kilowatt hours. Your electric company measures how much electricity you use in kilowatt hours, abbreviated "kWh". A kilowatt is a unit of power equal to 1000 watts.

Load: The amount of electric power delivered or required at any specific point or points on a system. The requirement originates at the energy-consuming equipment of the consumers.

Meter Configuration Code: This code is used to describe the type of meter (or its functionality) you have. For example, if you're on a Standard Smart Tariff, then your meter configuration is MCC16 and your consumption data is collected every two months and displayed in day, night and peak intervals. If you're on a half-hourly Time of Use Tariff, then your configuration is MCC12 and your consumption data is collected every half hour and displayed in day, night and peak intervals. A 24-hour meter has a code of MCC01 and a day or night meter has a code of MCC02.

Meter Data Management System: All smart meter data collected is encrypted and will be securely stored in a central Meter Data Management System operated by ESB Networks. Data can be accessed via the ESB Networks Online Account.

On-peak hours: These are the hours of the day when electricity demand is the highest.

Off-peak hours: Off-peak hours are quieter periods when people use less electricity and grid demand is lower - usually overnight and on weekends.

Peak load: The maximum load during a specified period.

Smart devices: This is usually an electronic device, generally connected to other devices or networks via different protocols such as Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi or 3G, that can operate to some extent interactively and autonomously.

Smart grid: The “grid” refers to Ireland’s electric power infrastructure. Smart grid is the application of information technology, tools and techniques like smart meters, sensors, real-time communications, software and remote-controlled equipment to improve grid reliability and efficiency.

Smart home: The integration of a smart meter along with Wi-Fi enabled appliances, lighting and other devices that conveniently changes the way people interact with their home and optimizes home energy consumption.

Smart meter: Smart meters are digital meters that replace the old analogue meters used to record electrical usage. Digital meters can transmit energy consumption information on a more frequent schedule than analogue meters, which require a meter reader to transmit information.

Smart meter data access code: The CRU is developing the Smart Meter Data Access Code, which will “define rules of access, and processing of, personal data from smart meters”. The code will ensure there is a clear set of criteria outlined for data access to ensure consumer protections are in place for data being accessed through smart meters.

Smart PAYG: You pay for your energy up front when your smart meter is working in PAYG mode This can give you more control of your energy spend. You choose how you top up, when you top up – and how much you spend each time.

Standard Smart Tariff: This is a price plan offered to customers who already have a Smart meter installed. Smart tariffs charge different rates during different times of the day, with a typical smart meter tariff having three rates: a day rate, a night rate and a peak rate. This time-of-use pricing, allows you to take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours, ultimately helping you save money on your energy bills.

Time of use tariff: A time of use tariff (TOU) is a time-based billing structure under which the rate charged for each unit of electricity consumed can vary depending on the time of the day. For example, you could have one rate for electricity consumed during the day, another rate for electricity consumed during the night.

Variable peak pricing: Variable peak pricing is a combination of time of use and real-time pricing, where the different periods for pricing are defined in advance (For example, on-peak=6 hours for summer weekday afternoon; off-peak= all other hours in the summer), but the price established for the on-peak period varies.