Smart Single-Phase Energy Metering With Multi-User Unit-Sharing: A Systematic Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1016-5843Keywords:
Smart Metering, Multi-User Allocation, Prepaid Electricity Meter, Electricity Equity, Systematic ReviewvAbstract
Key issue with multi-tenant residential systems is the inability to fairly and accurately measure electricity use with a prepaid meter in developing economies. Prepaid meters measure electricity consumption at the individual household unit level, but cannot divide up the electricity consumed by multiple independent household units fairly and accurately. Recent advances are coupled with new smart and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and smart metering applications. Consequently, there is a need to discuss the applicability of the new solutions to address problems of multi-user allocation, cost, connectivity and electricity equity. Many studies were searched based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines using IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. A full-text screening was completed for 1003 records and a narrative synthesis of 31 peer-reviewed studies. Quality appraisal was done using a modified MMAT 2018, and the scores were then summarised in five thematic clusters: metering evolution, smart and IoT metering, prepaid/GSM systems, multi-user metering and Blockchain (peer-to-peer energy trading). The review found that though smart and prepaid meters can provide good improvements, there is no low-cost single-phase meter with the ability to provide an independent user disconnection. Furthermore, realtime individual feedback and an equitable per-user unit allocation, which satisfies the accuracy requirements of IEC 62053-21:2020 were explored. The outcome was a huge techno-social issue that need the development of a Smart Single-Phase Energy Meter with Multi-Unit-Sharing Capability for shared residential environment in developing economies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 James Ambafi, Umar Dauda, Dorcas Gwamna, Harrison Idakwo, Simeone Yohanna, Omokhafe Tola, Lanre Olatomiwa
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