Saturday, May 31, 2025

Signalgate: A Call to Reassess Security Onboarding and Training

Mobile Device Trade-In Values Surge 40% in the US

DSIT urges Ofcom to get ready for broader regulatory responsibilities covering datacentres.

AI and Private Cloud: Key Takeaways from Dell Tech World 2025

Four Effective Strategies for Recruiting Technology Talent in the Public Sector

US Unveils New Indictments Targeting DanaBot and Qakbot Malware Cases

Imec ITF World 2025: Pioneering the Future of AI Hardware

AI Solutions for Network Administrators | Computer Weekly

What is a Passkey? | TechTarget Definition

Smart Meters Now Installed in 20 Million Locations Throughout Britain

EDF’s recent installation in Ayr, Scotland, marks a significant achievement in the UK’s energy landscape: the 20 millionth connection to the national smart metering network, which is managed by the Data Communications Company (DCC).

DCC operates what it calls a “unique national asset,” ensuring energy data flows securely and efficiently from homes and businesses to energy suppliers. They built and maintain the infrastructure that supports smart meters across England, Scotland, and Wales, paving the way for a digitised power grid and aiding Britain’s goal of reaching net zero emissions.

To date, DCC estimates that its network has prevented over 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Government research projects that the smart meter rollout will save a total of 45 million tonnes of carbon from 2013 to 2034. Currently, with more than half of British homes connected, smart meters are helping eliminate over a million tonnes of carbon emissions each year—comparable to removing a million cars from the roads.

Smart meter users also benefit from the Demand Flexibility Service, which encourages them to shift their energy use away from peak times, balancing out demand and reducing reliance on fossil fuel generation.

In celebrating this milestone, DCC pointed out a remarkable trend: a monthly installation rate surge of 300% in 2019 and a doubling of connections in both 2019 and 2020. The biggest leap occurred in 2021, where the rollout increased by eight million meters, while 2022 recorded the peak data traffic, marking a 70% growth year-over-year. Over 99.3% of premises in Great Britain now connect via the DCC’s smart meter network.

Penny Brown, DCC’s chief operating officer, expressed pride in the collaboration that led to this achievement. She emphasized the shared mission to help Britain decarbonise and make energy usage smarter and more cost-effective.

EDF’s director of retail, Rich Hughes, echoed the excitement, highlighting the customer benefits of smart meters, such as saving on bills and helping the environment. He pointed out their initiative to offer customers free electricity when they reduce energy use during peak times, which will play a vital role in creating a more flexible and greener energy grid in the future.