Lifecycle Carbon Emission Characteristics and Carbon Reduction Measures of Smart Energy Meters: A Review
Abstract
Smart energy meters are widely deployed electronic terminals. Under large-scale deployment and long-term operation, their life cycle carbon emissions can become significant. Based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework, this review critically examines the life cycle carbon-emission characteristics and mitigation pathways of smart energy meters. Particular attention is given to system boundaries, data requirements, stage-specific hotspots, and cross-stage trade-offs. Representative studies indicate that use-stage electricity can account for approximately 70.1–88.5% oflife cyclee GWP. However, the dominant stage varies with electricity mix, service life, product configuration, and assessment boundary. Accordingly, mitigation priorities should include reducing operating power and communication demand, lowering the embodied carbon of printed circuit boards (PCBs), printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), and key electronic components, extending reliable service life, and improving end-of-life recovery. This review also distinguishes direct meter-level emissions from indirect system-level benefits. Key future needs include standardized accounting rules, component-level carbon data, anlife cyclele-based mitigation assessment.