Code
DSO have been installing electricity smart meters in the mainland and in Madeira region. Decree-Law no. 15/2022, of 14 January, orders the integration in a smart grid of every BTN customer in the mainland Portugal, by 2024. Their integration in a smart grid allows customers to access a set of new advanced services.
Smart grid infrastructure includes not only the smart meters but also ICT and data management systems. Only with all these elements, it is possible to offer smart grid services to the end-user.
ERSE approved the Smart Grid Services Code (RSRI) for electricity distribution, which designed the services to be offered by network operators and suppliers to users integrated in a smart grid. The new smart grid services include, for instance:
- Daily remote meter reading and availability, in an electronic platform, of the detailed 15 minute demand and generation data
- Bills based on actual consumption, without estimates
- Possibility to access the meter locally, with close to real time data available
- Possibility to remotely change the contracted power and access other services, without having to be present at your facilities and with shorter scheduling times
- Alerts for consumption level and usage of contracted power
DSO who offer smart grid services to users are awarded with an incentive. The incentive ensures the sharing of costs and benefits with consumers, based on the actual availability of the services.
RSRI was approved by Regulation no. 817/2023, of 27 July, following Public Consultation no 113. The previous versions can be consulted at ERSE's Normative Acts.
Smart Grid Services Code – only available in Portuguese
Smart Grids Implementation
Smart grid status in 2021
In the end of 2021, 64% of low voltage installations had a smart meter (4 million). Of these, about 1,7 million was integrated in a smart grid, accessing the services described in the Code.
Most DSO in Portugal are implementing a plan for smart grid development, foreseeing that, in 2024, all their users have access to a smart meter.
To know more about it, please read the Balanço das Redes Inteligentes de energia elétrica em 2021.
The report Balanço das Redes Inteligentes de energia elétrica em 2020 is also available here.
Timetable for the installation of smart meters
As established in Decree-Law no. 15/2022, ERSE presented to the Government a timetable proposal for the installation of smart meters in mainland Portugal.
The proposal elaboration process involved the participation of all low voltage distribution system operators.
Decree-Law no. 15/2022 provides that, by the end of 2024, all customers in mainland Portugal will have smart meters in their facilities.
Government approved the timetable for the installation of smart meters and their integration in the smart grid infrastructure, by Despacho n.º 14064/2022, of 6 December, for distribution network operators in mainland Portugal.
Pilot-projects
Pilot-projects
The Smart Grid Services' Code for electricity distribution includes a pilot-project framework. Pilot-projects have to meet the following:
- They can be submitted by low voltage DSO to ERSE.
- They are approved by ERSE and the decision shall be published.
- They are monitored by ERSE and public disclosure of the results is mandatory.
ERSE approved the pilot-project for technical quality of service data usage in smart meters, whose promotor is E-REDES – Energia, S.A.
