Smart energy meter

The energy market is changing. As households increasingly generate their own power, keeping the power grid in balance has become more difficult for grid managers. The way in which the use of the power grid is settled is also changing. A smart meter helps in this respect.

A smart meter can also help you save energy. The meter gives you insight in your energy consumption. The measurement data can be accessed by your grid manager and supplier. However, there are rules that apply here.  

The smart meter and your privacy

An energy meter measures how much power you consume. And how much you feed back, for example because you have solar panels. An individual's energy consumption can say a lot about that individual. For example, that someone often goes on a holiday, probably goes to church or to the mosque at certain times, or what someone's daily life pattern is.

The more often measurement data are read out, the more detailed the picture of your personal life is. That is why it is important that you know how this works. And which rules apply.

Privacy rules

For the protection of your privacy, the law stipulates who is permitted to access measurement data, for which purposes and on which conditions. This prevents access by unauthorised persons. Which meter readings the grid manager and the supplier are allowed to use for which purpose has been laid down in the Dutch Electricity Act 1998:

• The grid managers are allowed to use the meter readings for tasks such as the maintenance and management of the network.
• The grid manager registers the meter readings, collects them and provides them to the supplier. The supplier can use these data for drawing up the annual settlement.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to the personal data processed by the grid manager and supplier.

Measuring your consumption

Your grid manager is charged with the care for the network and the distribution of the costs of use. For this purpose, your grid manager registers the meter reading every day. Based on these readings, you receive a monthly consumption statement from your energy supplier.
If you have a smart meter, it registers the meter reading every 15 minutes. The grid manager is permitted to read out your smart meter once every day. Every day, the grid manager passes on the meter reading of that day to your energy supplier.

Besides, the grid manager reads out your meter at the following additional times:

• when drawing up your annual settlement;
• when you switch energy suppliers;
• when you move house;
• if it is necessary for the management of the power grid.

The data about your daily, weekly, monthly and annual consumption remain available at your energy supplier for 24 months. This period may be shorter if you have been a customer of the supplier for less than 24 months.

More frequent meter readings

Your energy supplier may read out your smart energy meter more often if you give permission to do this. In that case, your supplier will receive more meter readings. And, as a result, will have insight in your consumption per 15 minutes, for example.

Sometimes, people want more insight in their consumption themselves. This is possible if they have an energy consumption manager or a smart thermostat. These can even provide insight in the consumption at a specific time. For example, through a display in the living room or through an app.

Do you want use such services that make use of your measurement data? Then you have to give permission to use your data for this purpose. In that case, you will have to weigh up the benefits of the service against the possible consequences for your privacy.

Smart meter is not mandatory

You are not obliged to use or purchase a smart meter. If you have a smart meter, you are allowed to have it turned off to ensure that it is not read out. You can also opt for a digital meter that cannot be read out remotely.

In the end, Ferraris meter and old digital meters will disappear. The use of a digital meter will become mandatory as soon as you generate power yourself and feed it back to the grid. As is the case with solar panels. This may be a digital meter that cannot be read out remotely.

Do you not want a smart meter, and does your meter break down or is it no longer permitted? Then you will be offered a digital meter automatically.

Turning off a smart meter

Do you have a smart meter and do you want to have it turned off? You can arrange this through your grid manager. If the smart meter has been turned off, your grid manager will not be able to read the meter remotely. In that case, you will have to submit the meter readings yourself. The meter still exchanges technical information with the grid manager about, for example, the functioning of the meter.

Supervision of the use of smart meters

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Dutch DPA) and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) monitor the use of smart meters. The Dutch DPA monitors the processing of personal data. The ACM monitors the functioning of the energy market and consumer protection.

The ACM and the Dutch DPA have made collaboration agreements in a protocol. Both parties inform each other about current matters and exchange information. The ACM and the Dutch DPA can act together if something goes wrong. They can also support each other by, for example, forwarding complaints.

Questions or complaints about your smart meter

If you have any questions or complaints about your smart meter, always contact your energy supplier or grid manager first. You can turn to the general complaints desk or the Data Protection Officer (DPO).

Does you energy supplier or grid manager not respond (in time) to your request or complaint? Or are you not satisfied with the response? Then you can contact the ACM ConsuWijzer. You can contact the Dutch DPA if you have a complaint about how your personal data are handled.