Bi-directional smart meters are critical infrastructure for Australian homes and businesses integrating rooftop solar and participating in the broader renewable energy ecosystem. These devices record electricity consumed from the grid and surplus solar exported back to the network, enabling accurate billing (including feed-in) and providing interval data that supports grid planning and demand management.
For trade (billing) purposes, meters must meet Australia’s legal metrology requirements, including National Measurement Institute (NMI) M6-1 pattern approval and verification for accuracy under local conditions.
Understanding Bi-Directional Smart Meter Technology
Modern bi-directional smart meters measure both imported and exported energy at the connection point and provided they support interval data logging capabilities for load profiling.
Bi-directional meters are also referred to as four quadrant meters, import/exports meters or net metering. Four quadrant meters have advanced measuring capabilities in comparison to two quadrant meters.
By capturing real-time flows in both directions, advanced bi-directional meters enable accurate billing for consumption and generation, support integration of renewables (e.g., rooftop solar) and improve grid efficiency by giving operators better visibility and control.
Consumers can be credited for excess energy exported to the grid, while retailers and network providers can manage demand and system performance more effectively.
For users and consumers:
- Accurate billing: Precise recording of energy imported from—and exported back to—the grid ensures bills reflect actual (often net) usage rather than estimates.
- Renewable support: Essential for systems like rooftop solar, as exported energy is measured for feed-in tariffs and credits.
- Cost savings: Real-time insights help users shift or reduce consumption and optimise self-generation to lower bills.
- Remote monitoring: Many smart meters offer digital interfaces and connectivity so usage and generation can be viewed via apps or web portals.
Technical Standards for Australian Solar Integration
Revenue metering (billing):
NMI M 6-1 sets mandatory pattern approval and verification requirements for active-energy meters, covering accuracy classes across import and export, temperature, EMC and other technical parameters.
Demand response:
AS 4777.2 defines inverter performance and grid-support behaviour at low voltage, essential for safe operation alongside bi-directional metering and high DER penetration.
Device communications:
Smart energy meters provide various communications such as RS485, Ethernet and Modem. The more advanced smart energy meters can provide dual communications options.
Installation Requirements and Grid Connection
Bi-directional meter upgrades typically involve replacing accumulation meters with Type 4 (remotely read) devices. Works must follow electrical safety rules.
Metering solutions for solar systems need to ensure the metering system captures import/export (four quadrant) accurately for billing in Australia’s renewable energy market.
Data Management and Billing Integration
Interval data from advanced bi-directional meters supports time-of-use tariffs, demand charges and feed-in calculations. Validation, substitution and auditing of metering data ensures integrity and transparency.
For legal trade, meters must hold current NMI pattern approval and be verified in service.
Optimising Solar Projects in the Renewable Energy Era
By pairing compliant bi-directional metering with inverters configured to AS/NZS 4777.2, owners maximise value from rooftop solar within Australia’s renewable energy transition, capturing export revenue accurately, enabling demand programs and supporting grid stability.
Selecting equipment tested to AS 62052 and AS 62053 (and NMI M 6-1 for billing) underpins long-term accuracy and market compliance.
SATEC Solutions for Renewable Energy Metering
SATEC provides advanced bi-directional metering solutions that meet NMI M 6-1 (pattern approval/verification) and the adopted AS 62052 / AS 62053 performance and safety requirements used in Australia.
Selected models offer Class 0.5S accuracy suitable for residential and commercial revenue metering, with communications options to support reliable data transfer.
Our engineering support assists with specification, commissioning and metering system solutions for diverse applications in Australia.
