Challenges in the Proper Metrological Verification of Smart Energy Meters

TL;DR

This paper discusses the challenges and limitations in the current methods of verifying smart energy meters, highlighting the gap between ideal testing conditions and real-world grid states.

Contribution

It analyzes existing legal standards and scientific research, revealing imperfections in measurement chains and proposing future research directions.

Findings

Meters comply with legal requirements but show signal chain imperfections

Current verification methods do not replicate real grid conditions

Identifies need for improved testing protocols

Abstract

The most common instruments currently used to measure active/reactive energy and power quality indicators are smart energy meters (EM). Unfortunately, the verification of such meters is currently performed under ideal conditions or with simple signal models, which do not recreate actual states occurring in the power grid and do not ensure the verification of the properties of their signal chains. This paper presents challenges in proper metrological verification of smart EM. It presents existing legal and normative requirements and scientific research directions regarding these meters. Although the meters tested comply with the normative and legal requirements, the results reveal numerous imperfections in the signal and measurement chains for the selected test signal. Based on the results of the research results, further directions have been determined in the field of smart EM.