ANEEL consultation on smart meters continues.

A ANEEL The Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica) has opened the second phase of Public Consultation No. 1/2026, a stage that should consolidate the minimum requirements for smart metering systems intended for low-voltage consumers.

Contributions can be submitted until August 14th and will serve as the basis for the development of future regulations governing the installation of this equipment in residences, small businesses, and other Group B units.

Unlike the first stage, which focused on defining the general premises of the project, the new consultation puts up for discussion a proposed regulatory resolution that amends provisions of the PRODIST (Procedures for the Distribution of Electrical Energy in the National Electrical System) and Regulatory Resolution No. 1.000/2021.

The text establishes that the smart metering system should consist of four integrated elements: meter, consumer communication interface, data communication system, and information management system.

Equipment functionalities

In this current phase, the regulatory agency intends to receive suggestions on operational and technological aspects that should be integrated into future smart meters.

Among the topics submitted for consultation are the minimum equipment requirements, the deadlines and formats for making information available to consumers, the functionalities necessary to enable modalities such as prepaid energy, and possible improvements related to cybersecurity, interoperability between systems, and the quality of the information provided.

The proposal also stipulates that the new meters will have features such as remote updating, remote disconnection and reconnection, automatic interruption detection, and time synchronization.

Distributors will be required to offer consumers digital access to data on consumption, generation, and supply quality, with an initial proposed timeframe of up to 24 hours after data collection.

The text also incorporates requirements related to the protection of personal data, anti-fraud mechanisms, and interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers.

At the same time, the board of directors of ANEEL It consolidated the definitions resulting from the first phase of the public consultation, which included contributions from 53 participants.

These include the mandatory registration of consumption and energy injection data — including consumers with micro and mini-distributed generation — as well as information on power, voltage, interruptions, and supply quality indicators.

Modernization prepares for new demands.

According to ANEELDefining the requirements represents an important step in the modernization of distribution networks.

The expectation is that the regulation will contribute to expanding the digitalization of the electricity system, increasing the transparency of information for consumers, improving the monitoring of supply quality, and preparing the infrastructure for new tariff models and the gradual opening of the energy market to low-voltage consumers.

The topic has been under discussion by the agency since 2024 and is part of the 2026-2027 Regulatory Agenda, with a decision expected in the second half of this year.

Intelligent networks

As regulations for smart meters advance, distributors are increasing investments in the digitalization of their networks to keep pace with the growth of distributed energy resources.

In Copel's concession area, for example, the number of consumers using energy compensation systems has increased from approximately 50 in 2020 to approximately 700 currently, reflecting the rapid expansion of distributed generation. This growth has demanded greater capacity for monitoring, automation, and management of the electrical grid.

To respond to this new scenario, the company is developing projects involving microgrids, battery storage systems, remote equipment control, and solutions focused on demand management.

Among the initiatives are microgrids capable of operating in isolation in certain situations, using local generation associated with storage systems, as well as projects aimed at evaluating the role of batteries in the stability of electrical operation.

Another area of ​​focus is related to the growth of electric mobility. The distributor is also conducting tests with load management mechanisms and tariff signaling to reduce the impact of simultaneous charging of electric vehicles during peak demand hours.

Furthermore, the company maintains projects for energy generation and storage in isolated communities and rural properties, aimed at improving the quality of supply and reducing voltage fluctuations.

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