Interfaces of consumption metering infrastructures with the energy consumers: Review of standards

Standards for the data communication interfaces related to smart metering are reviewed in this report. The main focus is on the interfaces with the energy consumer's systems and appliances, but also the other interfaces are briefly discussed. Typically and increasingly these systems, meters and loads, such as appliances, are connected together via home automation or building automation networks. This interface is becoming increasingly important, because energy saving and demand response are needed more and more, and are enabled by the increase of intelligence in the electricity grids, houses and appliances. There are many protocols and standards, but the lack of a common open standard has delayed the development of the appliances and services that depend on these interfaces. This may also have delayed the development of functional and interface requirements for the meters. The problem has been widely detected and there are ongoing initiatives to solve it. Also these initiatives are briefly discussed. An observation was that many protocols have significant shortcomings regarding data security. This problem is outstanding especially with the home and building automation protocols.