Importance of Smart Metering in Diverse Fields of Smart Cities

The system infrastructure of modern electric power distribution is integrated with information and communication technologies (ICTs) in smart cities. By employing wireless sensor networks, both utilities and consumers are capable to convey, observe, forecast, and manage energy usage effectively and efficiently. In this paper, smart meters (SMs) deployment in diverse applications (such as water system, transport system, intelligent home/ building's demand response system, zero energy buildings, industry automation, renewable energy system, street lighting system, smart HVAC systems, carbon management system, utilization of SMs in production of gas) have been conferred to measure precise energy usage and collect data to improve the overall system, while maintaining green environment as per the emergent need of the day. However, with deployment of SMs by employing wireless sensor networks have been acquainted with new security challenges, mainly related to confidentiality, connectivity, and protection management. These may cause unexpected expenditure and adversity to both utilities and consumers. The various deployment issues faced by utilities and consumers are identified for prosperous solutions. Emerging smart metering solutions are conversed to facilitate number of utilities and consumers for tracking of their energy usage, which will help better energy conservation in future.