Abstract
Introduction
Along with credit metering, prepayment metering is moving into a new phase and
is widely seen as a metering technology of the future. Prepayment metering is
a small segment of the electricity, gas and water metering market, with 20
million end points installed worldwide. Prepayment metering has been in
existence for about a century and is now moving into new realms of technology.
The technology offers considerable benefits to both utilities and consumers
and its growth is consistent with the advent of AMI technology. ' Split'
meters, with a keypad in the user' s home and a control unit in a remote secure
location provides the means for fraud prevention and two-way communication
between the meter and the energy supplier, as well as AMI functionality.
Despite initial opposition to the concept in some quarters, whenever it has
been introduced it has been well accepted by consumers who react positively to
its benefits. The criticism has been from politicised areas, where it has been
a convenient target for activists against utilities. Their argument and
criticisms do not correspond with the experiences of the actual users of
prepayment meters. Prepayment metering was first established in the UK about
100 years ago. It was launched in the early 1990s in South Africa with a
national roll-out when the decision was taken to expand the level of
electrification, and where it has been an outstanding success. More recently
it has been launched in China, which is now the largest prepayment metering
market. Many other countries, especially in the developing world are looking
at the South African experience and regard it as a model of success.
Report Scope
- The report analyses the major prepayment metering markets; UK and South
Africa, and in less detail, China and Turkey
- 38 other markets with experience of prepayment metering are identified
- Benefits and problems are outlined
- Market drivers are identified
- The report analyses the development and current status of the different
prepayment technologies, together with commentary on future likely developments
- Prepayment meter manufacturers are identified, with major products and
technologies
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