Enel has launched Open Meter, the electronic meter 2.0. At the presentation event attended by Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Francesco Starace stated that this operation placed Italy at the international forefront, adding that the meter replacement plan would contribute to providing “work and oxygen for the Italian economy.” Open Meter involves an overall Enel investment of 4.3 billion euros – which could reach around 6 billion with the support of municipally owned companies – and aims at installing around 41 million devices over the coming years. Francesco Starace has specified that 32 million of these will be installed in Italian homes and companies by 2021 to replace current first-generation meters, while there will be a further 9 million new installations. “250 companies – Starace continued – and more than 4 thousand people will work on this endeavour, which will be concentrated above all over the coming two years.”
The project will be carried out by e-distribuzione, the Enel Group company in charge of Italian electricity distribution and manager of one of the most advanced grids in the world. The smart Open Meter is the result of innovative solutions inspired by the market's evolution over the last number of years, in particular new technologies created for the electronic meter field. In addition to offering increasingly more detailed information regarding consumption monitoring, the meter will allow for accessing innovative domotics services for the smart home.
This is a true leap forward in terms of performance, and it places Italy at the forefront of this sector
Francesco Starace, Enel CEO
During the presentation Francesco Starace also considered the various advantages deriving from Open Meter installation, such as savings of 2-6% in electricity consumption and quicker fault repairs on the low voltage grid. “We now have a world of possibilities for factories, offices, shopping centres, workshops, and homes,” he concluded. “This is a true leap forward in terms of performance, and it places Italy at the forefront of this sector.”
Enel editorial staff