Major advances have occurred in recent years in the capabilities of electricty (and gas and water) customer metering. A number of Governments and utilities, particularly in North America and Europe, have satisfied themselves that the deployment of advanced metering provides for a range of benefits. Whilst the benefits are mainly said to relate to better demand management, they also relate to improved customer service and to more efficient investment and operation of key community infrastructure.

In 2005, an expert study was commissioned by the Victorian Government, in collaboration with Distributors and Retailers, to investigate the use of enhanced communication technology in electricity metering. The study demonstrated a positive societal case and, in 2006, the Victorian Government determined that Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) would be deployed to all Victorian consumers by 2012. Since then, all other Australian jurisdictions have committed to a process to examine the case for AMI.

The momentum for AMI is clearly building. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries, is pleased to endorse the Conference as it will be a timely forum to discuss the opportunities and the issues associated with the further evolution of AMI.