Toshiba Communications Hub Enabling Smarter, Greener Living
Empowering Smart Meter Networks Toshiba’s Contribution to Net Zero
At Toshiba, we are committed to achieving Net Zero. As countries work toward the 2030 Paris Agreement goals, reducing CO2 emissions is a global priority. While renewable energy sources are expanding, they face challenges such as fluctuating output, storage limitations, and infrastructure needs. Toshiba is actively developing solutions for carbon reduction and renewable energy, including support for the UK Net Zero strategy.
Toshiba is driving progress towards the UK Net Zero targets and is a key supplier to the UK smart metering solution, managed by the Smart Data Communications Company ‘Smart DCC’, acting as their primary device supply and management partner. Toshiba provides an end to end ‘one stop shop’ service including design, build, test, manufacturing, logistics and operational management to Smart DCC for the supply of Smart Communications Hubs. Toshiba has supplied in excess of 6 Million Communications Hubs to date and continues to support the UK smart metering rollout, crucial to achieving Net Zero targets.
What is a Communications Hub and how does it work?
A smart meter Communications Hub is a device installed in a home to connect smart gas and electricity meters with an in-home display to the national Data Communications Company (DCC) Network. It creates a secure “Home Area Network” (HAN) for in-home devices and transmits data via a wide area network to the DCC, allowing automatic energy readings to be sent to the energy supplier and near real-time energy use monitoring by the home owner using the in home display.
- Connects devices: The hub acts as a secure bridge between the wide area network and the home area network and creates a secure network within your home, connecting your smart meters and your in-home display so they can communicate with each other and the Smart DCC secure network
- Transmits data: It sends your meter readings from your home to the DCC’s secure network via a wide area network.
- Enables in-home display: By connecting to the smart meters, it allows the in-home display to show your gas and electricity usage in near real-time, which can help you monitor and manage your energy consumption.
- Sits with the meter: The communications hub is a small device that typically sits next to or on top of your electricity smart meter.
Why is a Communications Hub important in achieving Net Zero?
Automatic readings
It eliminates the need for you to manually read your meters and send readings to your energy supplier. Reducing the need for meter reading visits and ensuring billing accuracy.
Energy efficiency
The data from the hub and in-home display provides insights into your energy use, helping you identify high-usage periods and potentially change behaviours.
Supports innovative next generation solutions
The Communications Hub is a key component enabling Smart DCC to support Demand Side Response.
Supports the national network
It is a key component of the national smart meter network, which is essential for a more modern and efficient energy system and to achieve NetZero targets.
An Industry Pioneer: How Toshiba is Shaping the Future of Sustainable Energy
Award-winning Excellence!
Toshiba has been awarded Smart DCC’s responsible business award two years running. This award recognizes Toshiba commitment to delivering environmentally conscious and sustainable services and supply chains.
Contact Us
Toshiba will continue our contributions to resolve social issues by the creation and offering of energy and resource conservation targeted products and is able to provide high quality environmentally conscious products and services from initial concept to operational service.
Please contact [email protected] to discuss how we can help your company develop environmentally sustainable Net Zero supporting solutions and services.
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