Smart meters essential to the energy transition
As part of the 2050 energy strategy approved by the public in 2017, smart meters are essential to the energy transition.Â
The aim of the 2050 energy strategy is to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energies. However, electricity grids were not designed to handle decentralized photovoltaic production. So, to limit the need for network reinforcement and manage energy flows, it's vital that the grid becomes intelligent. Smart meters play an important role: they facilitate power grid management by offering greater flexibility. What's more, they enable customers to better understand their electricity consumption and make energy savings.
According to the Electricity Supply Ordinance (OApEl), as a distribution network operator, we must replace 80% of conventional electricity meters with remotely-read smart meters by the end of 2027.
Replacement provided by SEIC
You will be notified before any work is done to replace your traditional electric meter. And if you live in a house, our teams will contact you to schedule the work.
The costs associated with this transition will be borne by SEIC.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Customer benefits
- From the customer portal, you can view your energy consumption and even your solar power generation from the previous day, broken down by 15-minute intervals.
Log in to your customer account Your meter is read remotely. No need for a technician to come to your home or to send us the meter readings.
Your bill will no longerinclude instalments (based on estimates), but will be based solely on your actual consumption. So you only pay for what you actually use..
Health and privacy
Smart meters use low-frequency technology that emits very few waves. There is therefore no health risk.
Your data is processed anonymously and securely, in compliance with current legal requirements. In addition, it is hosted on servers located in Switzerland. Only SEIC is able to identify you, and only for billing purposes.
Benefits for distribution operators
This technology will give us a more detailed view of how the network works, enabling us to improve its flexibility and manage supply more easily.
In fact, the distribution network must be able to meet the growing demand for electricity generated by electric mobility and heat pump heating, for example, and integrate decentralized photovoltaic and wind power generation.
By making the network bidirectional and much more communicative, and by integrating producers and consumers, electricity consumption and production are continuously balanced, thus avoiding unnecessary and costly network reinforcements.
Find out more
Publication by suisse énergie: Smart electricity meters at a glance
Swiss Confederation - SFOE: Smart grids and smart metering
International smart grids: International Energy Agency - Smart grids
The electrification of society: Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES) Climate: electricity, the key to decarbonization
FAQ: Meter Replacement
If you live in an apartment building, you do not need to be present, as the meters are located in the building’s common areas. However, you will be notified of the meter replacement a few days in advance.
If you live in a single-family home, you’ll need to be present for access to your meter. We’ll contact you directly to schedule an appointment when the team of technicians visits your village or neighborhood.
There will be a brief power outage lasting 10–15 minutes while the old unit is removed from its housing and replaced with the new one.
Be sure to unplug sensitive electronic devices, keep your refrigerator and freezers closed, notify your security company, and use the stairs instead of the elevator to avoid getting stuck.
Under the Electricity Supply Ordinance (OApEl), SEIC is required to replace at least 80% of its meter fleet by the end of 2027. This measure is mandatory. However, customers have the right to refuse the installation of the new meter by notifying SEIC in writing. In the event of a refusal, SEIC will bill you for the resulting additional metering costs (physical meter reading and manual data processing, etc.).
Only usage data is automatically transmitted once a day. This data is anonymous, encrypted, and secured in accordance with the highest current standards.
Our services have access only to the information necessary for billing (amount of electricity consumed, or even generated if you have a solar power system). SEIC is committed to processing its customers’ data in compliance with legal requirements and data protection regulations.
You will continue to receive a bill every two months. However, you will only be billed for your actual usage (final bills). There will no longer be any estimated bills (advance payments).
Remote-reading meters are widely used in Switzerland and abroad and strictly comply with all applicable health standards. Using low-frequency technology that emitsvery few waves, they pose no health risks and operate in a manner similar to other everyday devices (such as Wi-Fi or cell phones).
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