Accenture, E.ON & Vodafone: Smart Meters of the Future

December 05, 2024

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In Britain, smart meter users and the DCC network save over 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year

4G hubs advance the UK's smart meter network, enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability while supporting the country’s net-zero goals

4G Communications Hubs are upgrading smart metering in the UK, ensuring British households and businesses can use resources efficiently.

This upgrade supports the UK’s energy goals as it transitions away from 2G and 3G technologies.

The Data Communications Company (DCC), in collaboration with Toshiba, Vodafone, Accenture, CGI and Deloitte, is leading the rollout of these hubs.

Designed to improve energy efficiency and sustainability, the hubs are a step towards helping consumers and businesses manage energy use effectively.

Sustainability through smart metering

Smart meters are electronic devices that measure energy consumption, such as electricity and gas, providing real-time data to consumers and energy suppliers, enabling better energy management and accurate billing.

The UK’s smart meter network, designed and managed by DCC, is one of Europe’s largest with more than 100 million devices connected across 33 million premises.

Smart meters play a significant role in reducing energy waste, optimising supply and demand and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON, comments: “Smart meters are a crucial component in the work to deliver Net Zero targets in Great Britain. They allow households to take control of their own energy usage and carbon footprint and help suppliers to balance demand across our national energy infrastructure.

Phil is not only the Net Zero Delivery Director at E.ON but also the Non Executive Director at the NHS

"As a responsible energy supplier, we continually work to maintain our smart meter fleet and ensure they operate as expected. Therefore, we are delighted to be one of the first suppliers to be piloting the installation of these new 4G Communications Hubs.”

To keep pace with technological advancements and ensure continued connectivity, the network requires ongoing upgrades.

The 4G Communications Hubs represent the latest effort to future-proof this infrastructure, supporting energy management tools and sustainable practices for years to come.

From December 2024 to February 2025 the first hubs will be installed, with mass rollout planned for summer 2025.

E.ON, one of the UK’s leading energy suppliers, conducted initial installations in Staffordshire.

Collaboration driving sustainable innovation

The new hubs, manufactured by Toshiba, enhance connectivity and support sustainable energy practices.

Thomas Cunliffe, COO M2M Solutions Division at Toshiba, says: “It has been a privilege for Toshiba to design and build the 4G Dual Band Communications Hub for the DCC.

In 17 years, Thomas has risen from Commercial Director to COO & CFO

“We are immensely proud of not only the 4G end-product but also the way the team at Toshiba has collaborated with all the partners within the Programme. Our global supply chain is ready, and we look forward to ramping up production volumes for the mass roll-out next year.”

Deloitte, CGI, Vodafone and Accenture each play a vital role in this sustainability-focused initiative:

Deloitte provides consulting on energy efficiency and sustainable business practices, aiding in the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions
Vodafone and CGI work together to optimise smart meter connectivity, enabling better data transmission. CGI also develops software to support Vodafone's IoT platform, which powers the smart meter network
Accenture contributes through operational improvements and customer service enhancements. The company aims for net-zero emissions by 2040 and helps clients align with similar sustainability goals.

These collaborations exemplify the commitment of technology and energy leaders to improving sustainability in Britain’s energy sector.

Transforming energy usage for a greener future

The introduction of 4G Communications Hubs is part of DCC’s broader mission to advance sustainable energy solutions in the UK.

By enabling real-time energy monitoring, these hubs empower consumers to reduce waste, switch to eco-friendly tariffs and optimise their energy use.

Gav Parrott, Director of Products and Networks at DCC, explains: “At DCC we are continuously looking to ensure our technology is fit for the future, and it’s fantastic that DCC's customers, energy suppliers, have started to successfully install the new 4G Communications Hub in consumers’ homes.

Gav (left) is excited for the role-out of the new 4G Communication Hubs

“This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of DCC colleagues, our partners and customers, and marks a major moment in the history of the smart metering roll-out.”

The hubs also streamline the installation process, using Dual Band Communications technology to extend coverage and simplify deployment for energy suppliers.

This ensures households and businesses benefit from reliable and future-proofed smart metering services.

As the UK moves closer to its net-zero goals, innovations like these 4G hubs demonstrate the importance of collaboration and technology in building a sustainable energy system for the future.

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