“Smart Meter” is a term widely used in marketing and by the media. Similar to the term “Smart Phone”, it can be used to describe a variety of different technology and functionality, but it doesn’t accurately reflect what product is being used or the functions that are available on that device. For example, a “Smart Phone” could be referring to a Blackberry, iPhone or Android, and the services or “apps” available on each phone are unique to each user. In that same light, not all “Smart Meters” are the same.
Golden Valley is installing Aclara (formerly GE) 2-way meters and Silver Spring Networks technology that will allow for on demand consumption information, outage detection and remote connect/disconnect capability. Meters cannot track and record individual appliance usage; instead the meter records whole-house usage, just like your existing meter.