Ethical considerations in advanced metering infrastructure integration: A systematic review

Abstract

The integration of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) within energy utility systems promises significant improvements in efficiency, service delivery, and sustainability. However, this integration introduces complex ethical and privacy challenges that necessitate thorough examination. This review systematically explores these challenges, employing a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, including Web of Science and Scopus. Key inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select relevant studies. This review provides a detailed overview of privacy concerns, data security issues, social acceptance, equity considerations, and regulatory frameworks. This review highlights the need for advanced privacy-preserving techniques, robust Privacy by Design (PbD) strategies, and adaptive regulatory frameworks to address these challenges. Additionally, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the impact on vulnerable populations are emphasized. Our findings aim to guide future research, policy development, and stakeholder decision-making, ensuring the responsible and equitable deployment of AMI technologies.