Smart Meter Installations to Reach 250 Million Worldwide by 2015, Says Pike Research

BOULDER, Colo.--(Business Wire)--
Electricity metering is undergoing its greatest transformation since the first
meter was installed more than 120 year ago.Advanced metering infrastructure
(AMI), integrating two-way communications with energy measurement, is on the
front lines of utility Smart Grid deployments, promising major energy savings by
changing how and when customers use electricity.According to a new report from
Pike Research, more than 250 million smart meters will be installed worldwide by
2015, representing a penetration rate of 18% of all electrical meters by that
time, up from 46 million in 2008.

"Smart meters are the vanguard of Smart Grid deployments," says managing
director Clint Wheelock."Current AMI rollouts are breaking the traditional 15-20
year meter replacement cycle, and represent an unprecedented effort to add
intelligence and communications to electrical metering."Wheelock adds that,
while Europe is currently the top region for smart meter adoption, North America
will become the leading market in 2010, reaching 55% penetration of all electric
meters by 2015.

Pike Research segments the smart meter market into two primary categories:Basic
meters, which transmit energy usage data over two-way communications networks,
and Advanced meters, which include basic functionality in addition to remote
disconnect and home area networking (HAN) capabilities.The cleantech market
intelligence firm forecasts that total smart meter shipments will reach 39.5
million units by 2015, representing a $3.9 billion global market.

Pike Research`s report, "Smart Meters", examines global and regional Smart Meter
trends, explores neighborhood-area and home-area communications technologies and
standards, defines "Basic" versus "Advanced" meter capabilities, and provides
detailed market forecasts by technology and world region.Key vendors, standards,
and deployments are profiled, offering a comprehensive window into the dynamic
market for smart metering.An Executive Summary of the report is available for
free download on the firm`s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth
analysis of global clean technology markets.The company`s research methodology
combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand
assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive
view of the Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean Industry, Green
Consumers, and Environmental Management sectors.For more information, visit
www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.

Pike Research
Clint Wheelock, +1-303-997-7609
press@pikeresearch.com

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