Zurich utilities expand smart meter network
The electricity utility of the city of Zurich (ewz), Energie 360° and the Zurich water utility (WWZ) are increasingly relying on smart meters. This makes consumption more transparent and troubleshooting easier.
According to a press release, the electricity utility of the city of Zurich(ewz), Energie 360° and the Zurich water utility (WWZ) are expanding the use of smart meters. They are replacing analog meters that are still read by hand. This allows consumption data to be recorded and transmitted more quickly. By reading electricity, water and gas digitally, customers would have more transparency about their consumption. For the water supply, there are additional advantages in terms of troubleshooting. Any leaks and pipe damage can be detected more quickly using digital water meters.
Ewz has been working on the supply of digital meters since August 2024. Gas supplier Energie 360° has been involved in the expansion of smart metering systems since April. Ewz plans to replace as many conventional meters as possible with digital meters by 2029. Around 300,000 smart meters are to be available in the city of Zurich and a further 4,000 in the ewz supply area in Graubünden. WVZ has announced the installation of 33,000 smart water meters by 2036.
“With the installation of smart meters, we are taking an important next step towards the digitalization of the supply networks,” said City Councillor Michael Baumer, Head of the Department of Industrial Operations.
Like their predecessors, the smart meters will continue to be installed primarily in basements.