Advanced Metering Systems (AMS), or Smart Meters as they are commonly called, are able to capture your electrical usage in 15-minute intervals and communicate that usage to our NOW Power team. Unlike old-fashioned electric meters that only measure total consumption, todayâ€s Smart Meters show when the energy was actually consumed. This new technology can help Texas residents without a good credit score obtain energy quickly and affordably through our pay-as-you-go electric plan.