Tackling ‘Hard-to-Connect’ Sites to Meet Net Zero Goals
The UK’s smart meter rollout is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to achieve its ambitious net zero targets. Smart meters empower consumers to monitor and manage their energy usage, adopt efficiency measures, and support a more flexible, responsive energy grid—reducing the need for large-scale generation infrastructure.
However, installing communicating smart meters in challenging environments is essential to realizing this vision. That’s where the Alt HAN programme comes in—designed specifically to address ‘hard-to-reach’ sites, such as high-rise buildings with congested meter rooms and significant distances between meters and residents’ In-Home Displays.
IMServ is one of only two metering specialists in the UK selected to deliver solutions for the Alt HAN programme, bringing tailored expertise to overcome these complex installation challenges.
The Gateway Project: Unlocking Smart Metering for a Leeds Development
In late 2024, the Gateway development in Leeds was proactively identified as a site that was struggling to successfully install smart meters. Large numbers of aborted metering visits meant that there were clearly issues with accessibility or connectivity of the meters. Alt HAN, the body responsible for unlocking hard to reach smart meter sites, asked IMServ to survey, design and deliver a bespoke metering solution for the development.
IMServ deployed its specialist team to conduct a full site survey, engineering a plan to ensure reliable smart meter communication and seamless access to In-Home Display data for all residents. The team produced detailed schematics and submitted the proposal to Alt HAN for approval.
Once approved, IMServ mobilized its engineers to implement the solution on-site. The team restructured the metering infrastructure across the three buildings—relocating 77 meters and enabling 163 residents to benefit from fully functional smart metering for the first time.
Adrian, Gateway General Manager – The Gateway, Leeds, said:
“The location of The Gateway electrical riser cupboards within sheer concrete cores has proved problematical for residents wanting trouble free communication from their meters to their display units within their apartments, therefore, infrastructure improvements were desperately needed.
From a building management aspect, the IMServ project planning, implementation and crucially for me, communication with site staff at The Gateway, was second to none.”
IMServ’s Alt Han team are made up of specialist metering experts who take a proactive approach to resolving issues in the installation of smart meters. Using industry data around connectivity challenges and meter install aborts the team can identify areas where a customised installation is needed and can proactively work with the wider Alt Han programme to survey, design and install a fully functioning smart meter install.
If you need help overcoming smart meter install challenges – talk to our experts today.