Homepage About the pilot project

About the pilot project

The smart metering pilot project for electricity is being implemented between 2023 and 2027, in partnership with distribution and supply operators, involving a series of actions. In addition to installing smart meters in households and public buildings, the project also includes the development of a complex infrastructure that will enable the efficient collection, processing, and management of consumption data by system operators.

Pilot project implementation stages:

Creation and testing of advanced smart metering infrastructure in the pilot area

Preliminary assessment (technologies, technical requirements, security, interoperability) and identification of relevant consumption sites for the pilot.

Installation and configuration of smart meters, including the necessary equipment for the smart metering infrastructure:

  • Stage 1: 3,000 smart meters - 2024
  • Stage 2: 32,000 smart meters - 2025
  • Stage 3: 25,000 meters - 2026

Implementation of digital solutions (HES and MDM) that allow operators to automatically and securely measure energy consumption in real time, remotely read data, and bill based on actual consumption

HES (Head-End System) is the centralized system responsible for collecting, managing, and processing data from smart meters and data concentrators. The software schedules consumption interval readings for the meters, ensuring data is collected at predetermined intervals.

MDM (Meter Data Management) processes the read data, checks for accuracy, and stores it appropriately for later billing and detailed consumption analysis.

Institutional capacity development for smart metering

Improving and adjusting the regulatory framework for smart metering and the digitalization of the energy sector.

Organizing training sessions to develop the institutional, technical, and operational competencies of system operators for the management and sustainable expansion of advanced metering infrastructure.

Differentiated tariffs and solutions for efficient consumption

 Updating billing platforms for supply operators to enable the application of differentiated tariffs and implement the TOU tariff for consumers who choose to apply differentiated prices based on consumption hours.

Communication and awareness

 Informing and educating consumers about the pilot project, smart meters, and differentiated tariffs

Monitoring and impact analysis

Publishing data from the pilot project, which will reflect the progress of smart meter installations and anonymized electricity consumption data for different consumer groups.

Analyzing consumption data by time intervals and encouraging consumers to adopt the differentiated tariff.

Analyzing data collected throughout the pilot project and performing cost-benefit analysis to inform the national scale-up of the smart metering infrastructure.

 

The selection of households and public buildings for smart meter installation within the pilot project was conducted in a transparent manner, ensuring national representativeness.

What criteria were considered?

Geographical location

Both urban and rural areas were included. The smart devices will be installed in several pilot areas (districts/cities/villages) of the Republic of Moldova.

Population density

Localities with a dense population (over 40,000 households) as well as less populated areas (fewer than 500 households) were selected.

Electricity consumption

Households with a diverse range of consumption were selected, from less than 10 KWh per month to more than 180 KWh per month.

Available electrical infrastructure

The diversity of electrical installations was taken into account, from modern networks to older electrical grids, in order to test the compatibility of technologies.

Energy vulnerability

To analyze the impact of smart meters on vulnerable consumers.

Sampling method used

A combination of sampling methods was applied:

  • Stratified sampling – The population was divided into distinct groups based on the criteria mentioned (e.g., urban/rural areas, consumption levels, infrastructure type).
  • Random sampling – The actual selection of consumption sites was done randomly through multiple iterations within each group (stratum), respecting the established criteria.

After establishing the sample, the Chi-square test (Chi2) was applied, a statistical tool used to verify if the sample distribution accurately reflects the characteristics of the general population. This step was essential to ensure that the obtained results are relevant and can be extended to a national scale.

Why is the correct development of a selection methodology important?

  • It ensures a fair and transparent process, free from subjective interventions.
  • It ensures a balanced representation of consumers, allowing the efficiency of smart meters to be tested under real operating conditions of the electricity system.
  • It provides a solid foundation for the further expansion of the project, guaranteeing that the collected and analyzed data is relevant.