Analysis shows that consumption data creates value

A study conducted by Danish District Heating Association, DANVA, Danish Waterworks and Kamstrup show that the utilisation of current technology for remote reading of consumption meters can already help meet the supply strategy promise of cheaper water and heat to the Danish consumer. Actually, the investment in intelligent remote reading of consumption meters is 30 times less than the potential savings that were identified during the study.

The study has shown potential savings within investments in infrastructure, administration, customer service, operational efficiency and energy consumption. By continuously using automatic meter reading, the utilities

can optimise their operations and energy consumption, while at the same time limit the waste of water and heat. Simultaneously, the study shows a savings potential of up to €540 per household based on best practice examples within the categories of the study. The average saving for a household is €175 per household.

Political action can ensure Danish climate technology

In connection to the EU General Data Protection Regulation, which comes into force from May 2018, the requirements of collecting and handling meter data will be stricter. This generates ambiguity as to whether the utilities should collect and maintain approval from

Danish consumers for the continuous use of meter data for purposes other than settlement. Should the requirements of collecting and handling data become stricter, the utilities will not be able to utilise the technological potential that comes with remote reading of meter data. In addition, a “no” from one consumer will affect the data fundament of the utilities, thus preventing consumers in the entire supply area from saving costs.

However, minor political action would provide Danish water and heat utilities with better conditions, enabling them to meet the supply strategy in the effort to maintain cheap and safe supply to Danish consumers.