OVO Smart Gateway

Sterlingtimes

I have Googled and can't find anything apart from very limited information on OVO's own site.

I understand that the Smart Gateway is used in conjunction with the OVO Smart Meters. The Smart Gateway hub plugs into one's router, and the results can be viewed via My Ovo (MyOvo).

Has anyone got one?

Does the hub connect to the Smart Meters using wi-fi radio or powerline?

Does anyone know where I can see screenshots of how information is displayed on My Ovo?

Sterlingtimes

The good news

[1] Siemens on behalf of Ovo installed my gas and electric Smart Meters today.

[2] The electric meter is a Secure Liberty 100.

[3] The meter appears to read solar export kWh. I will check figures against Wattson over the next few days. If this works, it's a real plus to have export metered accurately.

The not so good news

[1] "Engineer" did not provide an info pack as promised. Ovo say they will email.

[2] Smart Meter does not connect to the Canadian server (not a 3G signal strength problem). Another visit will be required in about 6 weeks. Smart Meter is not smart as yet! Possibly another day off work. They may add an aerial.

[3] Smart Gateway to plug into my router and display information on My Ovo will not be sent for 4 to 6 weeks.

[4] Graphical information in My Ovo no longer available. Cannot view until I receive Smart Gateway in 4 to 6 weeks.


There's still some way to go. But I will be pleased if solar export records accurately.

maxthepolarbear

Thanks for the info - I'm also due to have smart gateway installed in a couple of weeks time and I also have no clue what that is!

Sterlingtimes

maxthepolarbear wrote: »

Thanks for the info - I'm also due to have smart gateway installed in a couple of weeks time and I also have no clue what that is!

I posted this here because there is virtually no information about this on the Internet. I think that is probably quite a new product for Ovo (and possibly in the UK generally). Ovo has been very helpful (great people supporting all of this), but seems to have no Smart Gateways to supply at the moment. As a raw product the meters without the hub do not provide information in a friendly manner.

System

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

I posted this here because there is virtually no information about this on the Internet. I think that is probably quite a new product for Ovo (and possibly in the UK generally). Ovo has been very helpful (great people supporting all of this), but seems to have no Smart Gateways to supply at the moment. As a raw product the meters without the hub do not provide information in a friendly manner.

The organization leading the Govt's Smart Meter roll-out programme has made it clear that suppliers do not have to support IHDs outside of initial guarantee period. If it fails outside of 12 months, consumers will probably have to pay for a replacement IHD.

From Consumer Focus:

My display is faulty, what should I do?

Contact your energy supplier. If you have had the in-home display for less than 12 months, and the display has broken or is no longer working as it should, your supplier will replace it free of charge. After that time you may be required to pay for a replacement. Alternatively you may get one free if you switch energy supplier and sign up to a deal with a display included.

If you have switched energy supplier in the last 12 months, your new energy supplier, not the one that provided or installed the display is responsible for it if it goes wrong.

Sterlingtimes

Hengus wrote: »

The organization leading the Govt's Smart Meter roll-out programme has made it clear that suppliers do not have to support IHDs outside of initial guarantee period. If it fails outside of 12 months, consumers will probably have to pay for a replacement IHD.

Thank you, Hengus.

The presentation from the Smart Meter itself does not appear to be in the form that a consumer could easily interpret. For instance export and export energy appears in the form of kVAR hours (reactive) and kW hours resistive.

Ovo was kind enough to email me the 160 page Liberty 100 Manual which I will read with great interest. Ovo goes through hoop to help customers.

For OVO's part, they are encouraging the Smart Gateway in preference to the IHD. The data can be better viewed on a computer or mobile 'phone.

The Smart Gateway, of course, leaves the customer bound to OVO if the service is to continue. But this sounds good to me if the electricity and gas seller can retain custom through the provision of value-added services.

I would love to have my Smart Gateway today.

Sterlingtimes

So far it's not a pretty story.

The technician from Siemens installed my Smart Meters. But they failed commissioning tests. He told me that the signal (level 10) was perfectly adequate for communication but that the meters would not talk to the server based in Canada. He told me that a return visit would be booked in six weeks.

Today I received the Smart Gateway but that will not link to MyOvo so that is another failure. I have tried all sort of experiments to get it going.

I have requested Ovo to return and reinstall my old meters.

Presuming that we can agree that I will ask that my export metering for solar is reverted to the 50% deemed export model.

I had high hopes of Ovo given their superb customer service but I feel that their product is probably not ready for mass rollout.

Sterlingtimes

The Smart Gateway which is totally non-functional along with my Smart Meter which is also categorised by Ovo as a "Dumb Meter" appears to be produced by a company called Telegesis and the generic name is Consumer Access Device (CAD). I found it here:

http://www.telegesis.com/news/smart-energy-is-a-piece-of-cake-for-ovo-energy/

Ovo thinks it is quite satisfactory that I have a Dumb Meter because I am no worst off than before.

I am still waiting for answers to my emails to Ovo.

Sterlingtimes

Delete the picture no longer relevant.

Sterlingtimes

At last it's all working. Here is the set-up.

kgw1009

I had my meters fitted July 15th, Gateway delivered on 18th, plugged it in, all working and linked within 40 mins.

Well done OVO.