Government support for energy efficiency boosts AMI market, says GlobalData

Increasing smart meter deployment and pioneering new technologies will revolutionise the domestic power industry, according to a new report by GlobalData.

Increasing government interest in energy efficiency is boosting the global market for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), the report said. Smart meters and accessories such as in-home displays (IHDs) are encouraging consumer awareness and action on energy use.

Grants and funding for smart meter deployment, such as US government grants and South Korean KEPCO funding, are expected to drive the market in the future.

GlobalData said power line communication (PLC) and radio frequency (RF) are the most commonly used communication technologies for AMI networks in Europe and North America. Countries such as Italy and Sweden, which are pioneering AMI deployment, have found PLC communication technology to be the most economical solution in highly populated areas.

Currently, the US accounts for around 56% of the global AMI market, followed by China with a 23.9% share. GlobalData said China is expected to lead the market by 2014, when most of the US smart meter deployment is expected to be completed. The 2012 national growth rate of 30% in the smart meter market has been driven by grants from the State Grid Corporation of China, the large consumer base and policy initiatives promoting grid modernisation and smart metering, GlobalData said.

The report, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Market in Smart Grid for Electric Power, 2012 is available to purchase from the GlobalData website.