Customer value of smart metering : Explorative evidence from a choice-based conjoint study in Switzerland

Implementing smart metering is an important field for energy policy to successfully meet energy efficiency targets. From an integrated social acceptance and customerperceived value theory perspective we model the importance of customer value of smart metering in this regard. We further shape the model on a choice-based conjoint experiment with Swiss private electricity customers. The study finds that overall customers perceive a positive value from smart metering and are willing to pay for it. Further, based on a cluster analysis of customers' value perceptions, we identify four customer segments, each with a distinct value perception profile for smart metering. We find that energy policy and management should integrate a solid understanding of customer value for smart metering in their initiatives and consider different smart metering market segments within their measures.