Ranking Electric Utility Companies for Smart Meter Adoption

The reliability of a power distribution system reflects its ability to supply uninterrupted electricity. The installation of smart meters improves reliability by minimizing outages and expediting restoration. Smart meters enhance efficient energy use, balance supply and demand, and strengthen system reliability. This study applies a simultaneous equations model and a modified Hyperlink Induced Topic Search algorithm to analyze the relationship between federal funding, smart meter adoption by electric utilities, and reliability, aiming to rank electric utility companies in the United States. Results show positive associations between federal funding and smart meter adoption rates, as well as between smart meter adoption rates and system reliability. The proposed network-based methodology ranks electric utility companies by ownership type. The research findings underscore the significance of smart meter adoption and provide valuable insights for policymakers and electric utility companies seeking to enhance power system reliability.