Metering Services Review - Accelerating Smart Meter Deployment

Background

The Accelerating Smart Meter Deployment Draft Rule* seeks to implement the recommendations of the AEMC’s review of the metering framework in 2023.

To enable an acceleration for the deployment of smart meters, the draft rule outlines a regulatory change that requires Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) to create a Legacy Meter Replacement Plan (LMRP) to schedule the replacement of their type 5 and 6 (legacy) metering installations. DNSPs must prepare a schedule for each 12-month period, commencing July 2025 to June 2030. FRMPs will be responsible for engaging Metering Coordinators (MCs) to replace legacy metering installations with smart metering installations according to the schedule.

To facilitate the accelerated deployment, the AEMC require new processes for the management of site defects and metering installations that have shared points of isolation. The draft rule requires a formal defect tracking process which will require MCs to record a defect and for FRMPs to record customer notifications.

In addition, there will be new obligations for industry coordination between DNSPs, FRMPs and MCs for sites with shared points of isolation. Retailers are required to provide notifications to customers regarding the installation of a smart metering installation. The current ability of customer to opt-out of a metering installation change are proposed to be removed.

A new requirement is proposed to be placed on MCs and Metering Data Providers (MDPs), for the provision of a basic power quality data (PQD) service to DNSPs. AEMO is tasked with determining the specifications, formats and delivery mechanism for the basic PQD service.
Finally, the draft rule requires AEMO to develop a guideline to assist MCs in their development of asset management strategies for testing and inspecting metering installations and makes changes to the arrangements for the testing and inspection of legacy metering installations and the management of metering installation malfunctions.

High Level Implementation Assessment (HLIA)

AEMO publishes a metering services review, draft high level implementation assessment (HLIA) to provide a preliminary view to participants and the AEMC on how the Accelerated smart meter deployment may be implemented by AEMO.

Industry engagement

This initiative forms part of NEM Reform Program and market participants can get involved by visiting:

Further information

For more information, please contact NEMReform@aemo.com.au