Mexico is preparing to introduce a new generation of Bluetooth-enabled household electricity meters. The new devices, which state-owned electricity supplier CFE will begin installing, are digital meters with integrated wireless connectivity capable of transmitting real-time consumption data and interacting with home devices.
Technically, this means that the meter is no longer just a box on the wall. Meters with a Bluetooth module act as communication nodes within a radius of up to several hundred meters. They have the right to interact with each other, which allows you to quickly scale the electricity metering system and provide wider coverage.
The consumer will be able to report electricity consumption data in real time through a mobile application or voice assistants such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Instead of "estimated" calculations, which are still used if the meter is unavailable, the user receives actual data in real time. This reduces the risk of unexpected charges and provides the option to control consumption, especially if the electricity tariff depends on the volume of use.
For CFE itself, the main effect — This is remote control of the network. Today, a significant portion of settlements still depends on physical readings. If meters are located inside private homes or closed areas, CFE employees must first obtain access to read, disconnect and connect them.
The Bluetooth module will change the access and reading system. It makes it possible to read readings remotely, as well as control connection and disconnection without crews visiting. One pass of a CFE car will be enough to take readings from all meters on the street.
Another expected result — control speed. Currently, reconnecting after a disconnection takes time, depending on the workload of workers. With digital control, reconnection will be much faster, since it is reduced to a remote command. But the remote shutdown option also means tighter control over the timeliness of payments. In addition, remote metering and control will help combat unauthorized consumption.
According to various estimates, there are more than 40 million meters installed in Mexico, serving about 46-48 million electricity consumers, virtually every household and business. The installation of new electricity meters will begin in the near future in the Valley of Mexico and will gradually spread throughout the country.