Larry Lackey: The Meter as Interface

As a consumer, I can now walk outside and read my meter. In a future world, I would want a “smart” equivalent – a digital interface for real-time usage information without any third part involvement. Fortunately, this demands little of a meter.

For other interactions a meter may or may not be the best interface, and the idea of a broader Energy Services Interface, which could, but need not, be the meter seems appropriate.

Regardless, all interactions should build on well established layered approaches:

• Standardized message-passing payloads
• Multiple transport protocols
• Multiple physical media