OREANDA-NEWS. November 23, 2012. CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) announced that it will launch a pilot scheme in the first half of 2013 for a system designed to provide customers with timely energy consumption information using smart meters and related technology – a key initiative that could help more people make better informed decisions on their electricity consumption and achieve a greener lifestyle, reported the press-centre of CLP Power. 

The pilot scheme features an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system that enables customers to proactively control their own electricity consumption by providing them with timely, detailed information on their energy usage and tips to optimise consumption. Alert signals will be sent to customers if their energy usage approaches selected consumption levels. Detailed consumption data will be made available to customers via various channels such as a dedicated web portal and mobile app for smartphones.

CLP Power has been carefully watching the overseas development of AMI and understands this is part of an emerging global trend of power grid modernisation. As a leading power company looking ahead to explore these new technologies, CLP Power plans to launch this pilot scheme to test out the potential benefits for our customers in Hong Kong conditions.

The pilot scheme will be launched in CLP Power’s supply area, covering a sample of around 3,000 residential customers living in both private and public housing and around 1,400 small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers across 15 trade types. Customers will be selected to ensure a representative cross-section of varying consumption characteristics. The pilot scheme will measure the system’s operational efficiency, gauge customer receptiveness, assess customer benefits as well as test-run this new technology in Hong Kong in a range of environments with different customer groups.

Mr Wayne Pales, Head of Smart Grid Programme of CLP Power, said, “CLP has been promoting energy efficiency and conservation. In addition to the recent promotion of “Eco Optimizer” online energy assessment tool and the “GREENPLUS Energy Billboard” for commercial customers, the AMI project is another key initiative in energy efficiency and conservation. With an aim to drive smart energy use by empowering customers with timely and useful energy consumption data to manage their usage and eventually achieve a greener lifestyle, the pilot scheme also complements the call from the government in promoting energy efficiency.”

The trial run period will start in the first half of 2013 and run for 18 months, including two summer seasons, the traditional high demand period in Hong Kong.

“We are now in the preparation stage to discuss the programme with selected customers, and will
soon start to install smart meters and associated communication equipment,” said Mr Pales. Before developing the pilot scheme, CLP Power has conducted extensive research on overseas experience and consulted with various local stakeholders such as customer groups, academics and green groups, to seek their feedback in designing the scheme.

Other countries, such as the United States, members of the European Union and cities in the Mainland have also been evaluating AMI to help their customers better manage energy consumption and promote energy efficiency by providing timely energy usage information. CLP Power will bring some of the latest technologies in this area and test how they will work in Hong
Kong.

About CLP Power Hong Kong Limited
CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (“CLP Power”) is the Hong Kong utility subsidiary wholly owned by CLP Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and one of the largest investor-owned power businesses in Asia. CLP Power operates a vertically integrated electricity supply business in Hong Kong, and provides a highly reliable supply of electricity and excellent customer services to 5.7 million people in its supply area.