Linky Smart Meter Communication System.

Since the early 2000s, the transformation of the energy sector in France has been accelerated by two factors. The first is the opening up of energy markets to competition, under the impetus of European law, which was completed in 2007 with the opening up of residential markets. In the electricity sector, customers with a subscription of less than 36 kVA have been able to subscribe to a market offer since that date. The second transformation factor is the energy transition, which should lead to the decarbonization of our economy, notably through the development of renewable energies and electric mobility. The modernization of electricity metering – through the deployment of "communicating" meters – is the result of this dual context, and forms part of the general framework for the emergence of "smart grids".

Already mentioned in Directive 2006/32/EC on energy efficiency, the deployment of "new generation" meters in Europe is specified by Directive 2009/72/EC of July 13, 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity: "Member States shall ensure that intelligent metering systems are put in place to promote the active participation of consumers in the electricity supply market".

At national level, the beginnings of electricity metering modernization can be traced back to the 2000 law on the modernization and development of the public electricity service, which aimed in particular to "offer (customers) different prices for different periods of the year or day, and encourage network users to limit their consumption during periods when consumption by all consumers is highest". The "Grenelle de l'environnement" law of 2009 also stipulates that "the objectives of energy efficiency and sobriety require (...) the widespread use of smart meters to enable home occupants to better understand their energy consumption in real time and thus control it". The expectations for smart metering to serve customers were finally clarified by the French Energy Transition Law for Green Growth in 2015 (article L341-4 of the Energy Code):

"The operators of public electricity distribution networks provide consumers with metering data, warning systems linked to their consumption levels, and comparative information derived from statistical averages based on local and national consumption data.

In its deliberation of June 7, 2011, the Commission de régulation de l'énergie (CRE) recalls the objectives assigned to the modernization of the electricity meter fleet: improving consumer information; improving market operating conditions; controlling operators' costs; controlling energy and CO ₂ emissions.

In addition to metering electricity, a "smart" meter can...