More PG&E SmartMeters coming

SmartMeters moving forward.

On Thursday, California's Public Utilities Commission approved a $467 million expansion of Pacific Gas & Electric's SmartMeter program. As a result, analog electric meters that have been used since the days of Edison will be replaced over the next few years by digital units with wireless communication technology that will allow PG&E to read meters remotely.

The utility said the upgrade will improve power system efficiency and let it know when power demands increase and outages occur. Eventually, it said, consumers will be able to use the SmartMeter device with a thermostat or a computer monitor in their homes to track and adjust consumption of power by their appliances and lights.

Currently, a meter reader physically visits each home and apartment building to record energy use over previous weeks. The system provides no way to monitor the energy performance of individual appliances.

Mine were installed about 6 weeks ago. More on the SmartMeters here.