Intelligent technologies and services
Viessmann’s intelligent technologies enhance user convenience for users and partners and support energy management and maintenance.
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Topics at a glance
Smart metering describes the measurement, storage, and transmission of data on the consumption of water, electricity, gas, and other goods. It helps manage material and energy flows according to demand and is intended, among other things, to facilitate the energy transition in the electricity sector. Smart meters enable consumers to better identify and utilize savings potential. We provide information about smart meters and their planned mandatory use in Germany.
What is smart metering and how does it work?
For a long time, electricity consumption could only be measured using standard Ferraris meters. These meters count every kilowatt-hour used and display the total consumption since installation in an analog digital display. Households read the meters once a year to determine their annual consumption and then send this data to the supplier. However, these meters do not allow one to determine when electricity consumption was highest or why.
Smart meters are a different matter. Modern meters record consumption in small increments. Smart meter gateways, which transform modern meters into smart meters, transmit the collected data to the supplier, who then makes it available on an online portal. Furthermore, with the customer’s permission, they can evaluate consumption data to optimize electricity production and distribution.
The biggest advantage of smart meters in the electricity sector
Smart meters are suitable for measuring goods and materials other than electricity, such as water or gas from a piped supply. However, in the electricity sector, they are particularly useful, enabling advanced energy management. This involves distributing energy according to demand and controlling consumer devices accordingly. For example, if the grid is heavily loaded and renewable energy sources are scarce, suppliers can use the technology to temporarily shut down devices such as heat pumps . This reduces demand for traditional electricity and improves supply reliability.
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What do smart meters offer?
Smart meters enable the creation of intelligent grids, which offer numerous benefits. These include increased grid stability and the ability to use renewable energy more efficiently. Smart meters also benefit consumers, as they gain transparency over their consumption. They can identify potential savings and reduce their electricity bills by metering their consumption. Viessmann Energy Management simplifies this process. It integrates internet-connected devices such as Vitocal heat pumps, Vitovolt photovoltaic modules, Vitocharge VX3 energy storage units, and household appliances into a comprehensive thermoelectric system and displays all energy flows in the home in real time. These can be monitored using the Viessmann ViCare app, which also serves as the system’s control center.
Data protection must be guaranteed
Smart meters collect large amounts of data, allowing conclusions to be drawn about user behavior. Consumer advocates see this as one of the biggest potential attack surfaces. This is because transparency comes at the expense of information and personal autonomy. The possibility that hackers can read or manipulate data has been noted and criticized. They can gather information about individual households or threaten the stability of entire energy systems. To prevent potential risks and ensure a high level of data security, Viessmann creates optimal conditions. All Viessmann servers are located within the European Union. Data transmission systems are constantly audited and certified by the VDE. Data handling in accordance with the GDPR is a matter of course.
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