The meter reader never rings the doorbell anymore. The Smart Meter sends the consumption data to the office by e–mail in real time. This intelligent meter is the starting point for the interactive network. The new standardised devices can do far more than calculate consumption totals. They act as control and information nodes. They allow the latest consumption data to be used to control machinery and electricity generation systems according to the supply of electricity and the grid load. They are essential if variable tariffs are to be used.

The mechanical meters with rotary wheel are now a thing of the past. Running them is labour and cost-intensive. Currently, the consumption even of major customers is still recorded by load profile meters; they only generate a load profile which is used for calculating the electricity price.

However, more powerful meters are required for the Smart Grid, the interactive energy network of the future. They are designed for bi-directional communication and to support modern load management and optimised consumption behaviour. These meters can deal with the fluctuating electricity generation from renewable sources and coordinate generation, consumption and storage of energy. They permit flexible, load- and supply-dependent tariffs, which have been supported by the German Energy Industry Act since 2010.