Next-generation meter
A technology to meet customer
needs, now and in the future.
Videos on next-generation meters
˲All About Radiofrequencies-
˲Measuring Radiofrequency Energy -
˲The Selected Technology -
˲Data Confidentiality - ˲ Other videos
An Evolvable System at Your Service
The next-generation meters will enable a shift to an automated network offering greater flexibility, reliability and data security.
Many benefits
- +Your bill
Your bill will be based on your actual consumption, rather than an estimate, as was the case when the meter reader was unable to read your meter. - +Remote meter reading
Thanks to remote meter reading, you’ll no longer have to be home to let the meter reader in if your meter is indoors or hard to get to. - +Moving?
You won’t need to fill in a meter-reading card when you move. The new meter forwards your electricity-use data automatically. - +Remote outage detection
You no longer have to report outages. Thanks to next-generation meters, Hydro-Québec will automatically be informed and take steps to restore service more quickly. - +Environmentally friendly technology
Your electricity-use data will be automatically forwarded to Hydro-Québec, with the result that the utility will be able to retire a large number of cars currently being used by meter readers. That will mean hundreds of tons less of CO2 emissions every year.
Privacy guaranteed
- +No personal information transmitted
Only electricity-use data is carried over the network.
Perfectly safe
- +Exposure levels well within guidelines
RF emission levels measured 1 m away from a next-generation meter 120,000 times lower than Health Canada’s limits.
More than 120 million next-generation meters already installed around the world
Over 100 power utilities in Europe and North America have already adopted next-generation meters to collect electricity-use data from their customers.
Next-generation meters around the world
1.8 million smart meters installed in British Columbia1
44 million smart meters installed in Europe3
4.5 million smart meters installed in Ontario2
38.8 million smart meters installed in North America2
40 million smart meters installed in Asia-Pacific1
- British Columbia and Asia-Pacific: Data obtained in January 2013.
- Ontario and North America: Accenture and Chartwell, The Chartwell Advanced Metering Infrastructure/Smart Meters Database (2011).
- Europe: Accenture and GTM Research, European Smart Metering Hotspots: Meters Installed, Confirmed Plans and 2020 Forecast, Business Wire.
Radiofrequency energy and next-generation meters
Every day, you use devices that operate with radiofrequencies.
Comparison of radiofrequency emissions 1 m away
in microwatts per square metre (µW/m2)Tests by CRIQ4
RF emission levels measured 1 m away from a next-generation meter are 120,000 times lower than Health Canada’s limits.
No matter how close you are to the meter, it’s safe.
- For details on the measurement protocol used to obtain these values, see Rapport d'essais de compatibilité électromagnétique: Mesures comparatives des compteurs avancés (compteurs de nouvelle génération), CRIQ file 670-43736-5.
- Health Canada recommended limit: 6,000,000 μW/m2.