The UK’s national smart meter project has suffered yet another setback, with the UK government announcing that the critical communications infrastructure that supports the roll out will miss tomorrow’s deadline – and won’t be ready for at least another couple of months. It adds to the recent spate of government projects under-performing – which include the social welfare revamp that is Universal Credit (already well over budget, and unpopular politically), and the latest attempt to bring the NHS fully into the digital age. When properly implemented, a national smart metering system opens the door to all manner of efficiency-boosting technologies, like demand-response and increased renewable penetration and storage, as well as allowing utilities to lower their purchasing costs from wholesalers.…