ZigBee looks like it will be the European industrial standard for in-the-home wireless links to smart meters.
The European Smart Metering Industry Group (ESMIG) is working with the ZigBee Alliance to define interoperable communications standards for smart metering technology across the European Union (EU).
Europe is committed to the adoption of open system 
architectures for utility meters involving standard communication protocols.
The adoption of wireless interface standards will be important in the commercial rollout of smart metering projects such as is being proposed in the UK.
See: Smart meter 
plan is potential boost to industry
The adoption of a standard based on an established technology such as ZigBee could potentially reduce the cost and time taken to develop the next generation of smart meters which will be used by an estimated 2,000 electric, water and gas utility service providers in the EU.
This is a significant step because the ESMIG is an influential body as it advises EU Member State governments, industry regulators, electric, gas and water utility providers on all aspects related to Smart Metering.
"ESMIG believes that a handful of proven and open standards, like ZigBee Smart Energy, will play a key role in EU smart metering projects," said Dr. Howard Porter, managing director at ESMIG.
The ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile is the first open standard to be endorsed by ESMIG.
According to the ESMIG, it chose ZigBee Smart Energy as it is a "solid, open standard".
"ESMIG is working to speed the adoption of smart metering in Europe and ZigBee Smart Energy can play a strong role in helping Europe achieve its smart metering goals today," said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance.
ZigBee Smart Energy will be used to provide the communications links between utility meters and household devices such as smart thermostats and appliances.