Data privacy and residential smart meters: Comparative analysis and harmonization potential. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Dasom; Hess, David J.
• Is Part Of: Utilities policy. Volume 70(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Privacy -- Policy -- Smart meters -- Advanced metering infrastructure -- Europe -- U.S. -- Canada; Public utilities -- United States -- Periodicals; Public utilities -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; 363.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2021.101188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-1787

Abstract

Abstract: Building on privacy principles of the Fair Information Practice Principles and the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, the study compares national policies and programs in Europe and North America and identifies prevailing practices for implementing privacy goals for residential energy customers: customer opt-out policies, sampling and sharing guidelines, independent data storage, and governmental enforcement authority. The analysis provides the basis for privacy standards that could apply to advanced-metering customer data across countries, even with rapidly evolving technology. Highlights: The Fairness in Information Principles and General Data Protection Regulation provide basic principles for privacy. Four strategies for implementing broad privacy principles are examined for selected European and North American countries. Programs that require a high level of granular consumer data are often offered on an opt-in basis. Most countries have now established an independent government unit to monitor and enforce privacy goals.