Record 34.8 Million Utility Smart Meter Shipments for 2021 Despite Skyrocketing Bills, Fires, Explosions, etc.

By B.N. Frank

Utility “Smart” Meters are awful and you probably have them whether you know it or not. Ten of millions of them – electric, gas, and water – have been installed on homes and throughout communities in the U.S. and worldwide.

They are so unpopular (see 1, 2) and problematic and EXPENSIVE (see 1, 2) that many utility companies refer to them by other names to confuse customers. Most (if not all) of the cost for their installation AND replacement have been and continue to be passed onto customers. Proponents – including environmental groups (see 1, 2) – promised they would help customers significantly reduce their energy use and lower their bills. NOPE!!! Because they are 2-way transmitting they actually USE MORE ENERGY to operate than original analog meters which are 1-way transmitting. That additional use is at least sometimes being passed on to customers (see 1, 2). Ridiculously high measurement errors have also been scientifically documented and reported.

From the jump, so many problems and complaints were reported – including fires and explosions (see 1, 2. 3. 4) -that a documentary was produced about these meters in 2013 and then updated in 2017 to include MORE problems and complaints. Nevertheless, an estimated 34.8 million are being shipped out for installation next year. Argh.

From IoT Business News:

Post COVID-19 smart meter shipments to hit 34.8 million units in 2021

According to a new report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, annual shipments of smart energy meters in Europe will reach a record level of 34.8 million units in 2021.

Temporarily postponed meter installations due to COVID-19 are expected to have a slightly negative impact on shipment levels in 2020 and the total number of smart meters installed during the year is anticipated to be 10 percent lower compared to the previous year. Annual smart electricity meter shipments amounted to 20.9 million units in 2019 and the corresponding figure for smart gas meters was 8.5 million units.

Major first-wave rollouts in countries such as France and the Netherlands are expected to be completed according to timelines in the next couple of years while the largely delayed UK rollout is forecasted to ramp up during the same time period. Meanwhile, Italy is now in the late stages of its deployment of smart gas meters as well as in the in the midst of its second-wave rollout of smart electricity meters, contributing with significant volumes in the next few years. With large-scale second-wave rollouts also beginning in Sweden and Finland during 2020–2021, upgrades of first-generation smart electricity metering systems are forecasted to account for 30–35 percent of annual European smart electricity meter shipments during 2020–2024.

https://iotbusinessnews.com/2020/06/10/19042-post-covid-19-smart-meter-shipments-to-hit-34-8-million-units-in-2021/

“Smart” Meters emit Electromagnetic Radiation (aka “Electrosmog”) which can also make people, plants and animals sick (see 1, 2). People have taken action against utility companies because of this too (see 1, 2. 3). Utility companies keep installing them anyway because “Smart” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7, whereas original analog meters DO NOT. Utilities collect and analyze usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell it to 3^rd parties a la “Surveillance Capitalism.” Double Argh.

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