Smart Meters - is it true?

SYNERGY

spiro wrote: »

The reason that they are measuring in half hours is how the wholesale market settles. Currently only very large sites have half hourly meters, all others have there useage converted to half hourly by applying a 'profile' to your consumption. Eventually and given enough bandwidth it may be possible to settle every meter in the UK half hourly. But you need to consider that means 32m meter readings to be processed every 30min 365 days per year. If that ever happens tariffs would need to reflect this which may mean much more complex tariffs in terms of the number of rates per day otherwise there is no benefit to the industry of doing it.

In this scenario, underlined above, I could imagine the fun if any of the other companies computer systems did an EDF :eek: :rotfl:

lemontart

knowing what tv show you are watching and when kettle turned on - the electricity folk already know that and plan accordingly for spikes in use, it is called tv schedules they know when the ads on lots of folk put kettle on and in winter kitchen light goes on so they ensure enough juice in the grid to meet this.

grahamc2003

lemontart wrote: »

knowing what tv show you are watching and when kettle turned on - the electricity folk already know that and plan accordingly for spikes in use, it is called tv schedules they know when the ads on lots of folk put kettle on and in winter kitchen light goes on so they ensure enough juice in the grid to meet this.

they can usually quite accurately estimate the demand pick up during popular TV show intervals - but that doesn't mean 'they know what TV show you are watching'!

Sheesh - just what data do some people think are (or will ever be) sent up and down the smart meter comms link?

A question to those working on half hourly and non half hourly mretering - The reason for this 30 minute granularity is due to compatibility with the settlement system, and I'm not sure it is refined enough for tariff variation during critical periods. Are there any plans in the long term to move to 15 minute tariff varaition as opposed to the planned 30 minute resolution?

giraffe69

Some may not be comfortable with the electricity company knowing what time you get up, when you put on the washing machine, how many cups of tea you drink a day, how hot you like your shower, what you're watching on TV.

The good news is that the asylum is not due to be fitted with smart meters in the near future so you should be safe there until you are better.

lemontart

grahamc I do realise it is unlikely they know what an individual is watching but with a meter change resistance is futile as it will be done as others have already stated the supplier can and will apply for a warrant if necessary.

Gas distribution and electricity transmission have a lot of data to help ensure a safe continuous supply from historical usage at time of year in the country and regions to weather reports to tv schedules long in advance of joe couch potato getting them and more, for the most they get it right though the weather does throw a spanner in the works occasionally and they have plans it place for such events, all of which is a requirement of their license to operate.

I am sure suppliers have something similar to ensure they buy enough to meet demand too.

spiro

grahamc2003 wrote: »

Are there any plans in the long term to move to 15 minute tariff varaition as opposed to the planned 30 minute resolution?

There has been no mention of this whatsoever. 46/48/50 readings per day is enough without the need to go to 92/96/100 readings per day. No only would this require a change to settlements it would also require the wholesale market systems to be changed as well.

jackshelac

The enery companies are spending 9 BILLION pounds on these new smart meters. One of the advantages is they can control them. Very useful if your on E7 or E10 as they can alter the timings so that the your appliances are still on during peak rates. This means you pay the peak rate plus a premium on top. Apparently it would be quite time consuming to hack into them, but if they were hacked into it would be very difficult to query the readings. Also a hacker could determine if you were on holiday by sudden decrease in usage and maybe looking to ransack the property. Be afraid BE VERY AFRAID.

p.s. I posted a similar comment a few weeks ago and it was removed. Which begs the question....... who's running this site?

pimento

If my smart meter has to go in the garage where my current meters are, it won't help me because I have to go into the garage through my up and over door (no internal door) and the only place in the house my energy smart monitor will pick up a signal is right out in the lobby where I can only see it if I'm coming in or going out. Almost useless.

blizeH

I wish I was in your position, just changed from British Gas to First:Utility purposefully because I want a smart meter, and my experience with the latter so far has been absolutely shocking to say the least.

I have no clue what you're talking about with 'privacy concerns'. Always amuses me how older people are so reluctant to change and technology, even if it's something which offers no negatives over the previous solution, and many positives.

rogerblack

pimento wrote: »

If my smart meter has to go in the garage where my current meters are, it won't help me because I have to go into the garage through my up and over door (no internal door) and the only place in the house my energy smart monitor will pick up a signal is right out in the lobby where I can only see it if I'm coming in or going out.

Different devices signal strength will vary.
With these things being rolled out by the millions, I would also expect 'repeaters' to be available for those in difficult signal conditions.
Though these may not be free.