| NOTAS: | "This CERRE study offers fresh, challenging perspectives in a policy debate characterised by strong, often polarised views. It provides a sound and comprehensive framework for looking at the key issues at stake. In particular, it identifies and discusses the main options available to the European governments, regulators and businesses.
The study considers two groups of smart metering-related activities: meter availability and data management. It then develops alternative scenarios for the organisation of these activities and examines them through comprehensive economic and legal analyses. Finally, the report explores the main issues surrounding privacy and data protection law.
On the basis of its investigations, and in particular of the often contrasting results of the cost-benefit analyses completed in a number of Member States, the study shows that the arguments in favour of mandatory roll-out are not as clear-cut as one would expect in the case of such an important policy decision, which could involve material costs for consumers of up to €300 per smart meter. This challenges the commonly-held belief that the mandatory deployment of smart meters in Europe is a logical and unescapable development. “More can be done to enhance and better understand the positive role that standardisation and competitive innovation can play in lowering the cost of equipment and in delivering an attractive, functional and cost-effective technology to European consumers”, says Prof. Bruno Liebhaberg, Director General of CERRE." |
