This is a topic that often rouses my interest, hope, frustration and despair. I have often been close to the GB smart metering programme at some capacity or another over the last 7 years. I find the subject captivating mostly because it is intricately related to one of the most important issues of our time which is Energy. Energy supply plays a crucial role in everyone's life as it provides the underlay which drives our societies, industries, livelihoods, economic progress and productivity as well as national security and international politics.