Meter pooling is a concept in the energy market that aims to record the energy consumption of several meter points in a common meter. This is mainly used in multi-party houses or building complexes, such as residential complexes or companies, which have several independent meters. The main advantage of combining meters is the cost savings and simplification of consumption billing.

In practice, this means that instead of many individual meters that are billed separately, only one common meter measures the total consumption. This is particularly useful if there are several users in a building with similar energy requirements, such as commercial premises or operating facilities. This can reduce administrative costs and make the billing process more efficient.

In the Austrian energy market, meter pooling has recently gained in importance. This model plays a role particularly in the use of renewable energies or the integration of photovoltaic systems in multi-party buildings. For example, if several residential parties use a jointly operated solar system, it is easier to record the electricity generated and consumed via a central meter than to measure each party individually. In this way, the electricity produced is shared efficiently and self-consumption is better utilized.

Combining meters can also be advantageous in the context of energy-saving measures or when optimizing peak loads. If several parties are managed under a common meter, consumption patterns can be better analyzed and appropriate load management measures can be introduced. This leads to better grid stability and can also reduce costs as unnecessary power peaks are avoided.

Another advantage of meter consolidation is the transparency for users. While individual meter readings are often only taken once a year, a shared meter in conjunction with modern smart metering technologies enables continuous monitoring of energy consumption. This allows users to better understand their energy consumption and make targeted savings. This not only promotes a more conscious use of energy, but can also help to reduce overall consumption and thus protect the environment.

In Austria, there are clear legal regulations on meter aggregation, which ensure that the interests of energy consumers are protected. Grid operators and energy suppliers must ensure that no party is disadvantaged by the consolidation and that billing remains transparent. This often involves the use of sub-meters, which record the consumption of individual parties within the overall system, while the main meter measures the total consumption. In this way, individual consumption data can continue to be recorded and billed separately, while the benefits of consolidation are utilized.

For companies that operate several business premises or large commercial areas, meter pooling can also be useful. It allows total energy consumption to be recorded more efficiently and peak loads to be better managed. In addition, reducing the number of meters can cut administrative costs and allow energy consumption to be monitored centrally. This helps companies to increase their energy efficiency and operate sustainably.

However, meter consolidation is not always the best solution. In particular, if the individual consumption of the individual parties varies greatly, joint metering can lead to unequal cost distributions. It is therefore important to carry out a thorough analysis of the consumption data before combining meters and to ensure that all parties involved benefit from the measure.

In summary, meter pooling in the energy market is a sensible measure to increase efficiency and reduce costs, especially in buildings with several parties or large operating units. In Austria, this model is increasingly being promoted in order to make energy consumption more transparent and facilitate the switch to renewable energies. Thanks to modern metering technologies and clear legal requirements, both consumers and grid operators benefit from this measure.