Ponder over Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Future Power Grid

The smart grid is the future direction of modern power grid. As an important component of smart grid, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will trigger deep changes in future power system. In the paper, the definition, function and some closely related to AMI, such as electricity pricing mechanism, renewable sources of energy generation, consumer's energy storage devices, users' data acquisition system are introduced, and the influences of AMI on future power system are discussed, too. Finally, suggestions are provided for the research and construction of AMI in China.