The New Generation of Submetering: Smarter, Faster, and More Resilient

Submetering has grown into a powerful tool for managing energy use, spotting equipment issues early, and meeting strict sustainability targets. But the old way—slow, occasional meter reads and isolated data—no longer fits today’s needs. 

To keep up, submetering systems must become faster, smarter, and more connected. That means real-time data, smart analytics at the edge, secure cloud integration, and reliable data transfer that works across sites and countries—with costs you can predict. 

This guide breaks down what’s changing: how high-resolution data brings new insights, where industries are putting it to use, and what technologies—like NB-IoT, LTE-M, and edge computing—make efficient and scalable data transmission possible. 

From Interval Reads to Real-Time Telemetry with Submetering 

So, what is submetering? Traditional submetering systems collect data in batches—often hourly or less. This limited view makes it hard to detect issues early or understand equipment behavior in detail. New IoT-based approaches stream data with much finer resolution, sometimes down to sub-second intervals. 

This helps to detect anomalies at the earliest stages. For example, subtle changes in power usage—such as a small increase in current draw—can point to early-stage wear in motors or pumps. Instead of reacting to failures, operators can plan maintenance in advance, reducing unplanned downtime and potentially cutting maintenance costs by up to 50%. 

Smarter Load Analysis for Energy Systems 

Real-time telemetry helps characterize energy loads more precisely. Instead of relying on static assumptions, operators can understand how buildings and equipment behave under changing conditions. This is important for distributed energy systems and microgrids, where load balancing needs to be dynamic. 

Submetering  that report voltage, current, power factor, and harmonic distortion make it possible to adjust usage patterns, participate in demand response programs, and better integrate on-site renewables. 

Efficiency Insights and New Business Models 

When submeters are installed across similar assets—like HVAC units or production lines—they provide the data needed for direct performance comparison. This helps identify which machines are over-consuming energy and where improvements would yield the best returns. It also enables more precise allocation of energy costs, such as per shift or per unit produced, supporting both operational efficiency and financial planning. 

Moreover, detailed submetering service data enables new business models. For example, facility managers can offer performance-based energy contracts or identify opportunities for load-based insurance pricing. It supports real-time optimization services—like adjusting HVAC settings based on occupancy and weather data—without installing entirely new infrastructure. 

Data You Can Prove: ESG and Compliance Reporting 

Many sustainability frameworks—such as the EU Taxonomy or U.S. SEC climate disclosure rules—require granular, verifiable energy data. Aggregated or estimated usage is often no longer sufficient. 

High-frequency submeter data supports more accurate reporting of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. With tamper-resistant data flows and device-level readings, organizations can build auditable, standards-compliant sustainability reports. 

EU Taxonomy Regulation: European Commission 

SEC Climate Disclosure Proposal: SEC.gov 

How Smart Submetering Is Being Used in Practice 

Smart submetering systems are already improving operations in several areas: 

Manufacturing: By measuring energy use at the level of individual machines or motors, manufacturers can track how equipment is running without needing extra sensors. Unusual patterns—like longer idle times or sudden spikes in power use—can reveal problems early.  

Data Centers: In data centers, electricity use can vary widely between server racks. Submetering at the rack or power unit level makes it easier to see where too much power is being used—or where cooling is working harder than it needs to.  

Retail and Franchise Locations: When the same kind of shop or building exists in many places, submetering each one allows for easy comparison. Stores using more energy than average can be flagged for a closer look.  

Older Buildings and Water Systems: In older buildings, water leaks can go unnoticed for a long time. Smart submetering tracks flow in real time and spots patterns that don’t look normal—like constant slow drips.  

The Technical Backbone: Designing Systems That Scale 

Cellular LPWAN for Connectivity: Technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M are suited to long-life, low-data, deep-indoor devices—perfect for utility closets or basements. Compared to unlicensed options like LoRaWAN (which require managing gateways), LPWAN cellular standards offer managed, carrier-grade networks with better global reach. 

Designers must account for constraints—such as limited bandwidth and power—by optimizing how often and how much data is sent. Using compact data formats like CBOR or Protocol Buffers helps conserve resources. 

LPWAN Overview by 3GPP: 3GPP NB-IoT Guide 

Local Processing and Edge Intelligence: Modern submeters or gateways often include basic computing power. These edge devices can compress time-series data, detect anomalies, or pre-process sensor inputs before sending them to the cloud. This saves bandwidth and enables faster local responses.  

Because submetering devices are typically low-power and cost-sensitive, messaging is often handled via lightweight protocols like UDP or CoAP. These protocols are better suited for constrained networks and devices, allowing efficient data transmission to cloud platforms or centralized systems. 

Secure, Modular Edge Architectures: Gateways may run containerized apps using tools like K3s (lightweight Kubernetes) or AWS Greengrass. These allow developers to update or add logic remotely—useful when deployments involve multiple sensor types or changing site needs. 

Digital Twins for Visualization and Simulation: Digital twins are virtual models of real systems that update in real time. Submeter data feeds into these models to simulate energy behavior, test optimizations, or visualize trends. 

Digital Twins: AWS 

Cybersecurity from Device to Cloud: Utility data is sensitive. Encryption protocols like DTLS (the UDP equivalent of TLS) must be applied from the device through the network to the cloud. Hardware-based security features — such as secure boot and TPM chips — help prevent tampering. Cellular networks also offer private APNs and built-in authentication, providing a secure channel for transmitting consumption data. 

Cost Control: A key challenge in deploying large submetering networks is cost control over 10 years. Using a model that includes both connectivity and software—from anywhere, for the full device lifetime—can support long-term planning. 1NCE’s global software and connectivity platform covers over 170 countries and is optimized for NB-IoT and LTE-M. It also includes secure APIs for device data management and cloud integration, so developers don’t need to build full communication stacks from scratch. 

Final Thought: Build for the Long Term 

Submetering is evolving from simple measurement to high-resolution insight and automation. Systems need to be secure, scalable, and cost-efficient—ready to support analytics, ESG reporting, and smart control over decades of operation. 

Choosing the right technology stack—from connectivity to edge compute—can reduce complexity and cost while unlocking new value from everyday meter data.