Smart Meters and solar (Ovo) >>> policy clarification

Sterlingtimes

I asked whether I could elect to remain on 50% deemed export. The answer is from Ovo is provided below:

... yes, you will now receive metered payments as opposed to deemed. The purpose of the smart meter is to gain accurate readings so that you are billed accordingly, and furthermore in the case of your Feed-in Tariff that you receive a payment that is representative of your actual generation.

It is an Ofgem requirement that we take an export reading if there is an export meter. I think if you take a generation reading from today and compare it to you export reading at the same time you may find the export is higher than the 50% estimate. If that is the case then certainly you would be better off as metered export. Nonetheless we are required to take an export read ...

I respect Ovo's response. However, I would have refused the smart meter if I had known this policy would have been applied from the outset. Please take great care if you agree to take a smart meter.

I would say that I do understand the need for managing energy demand and supply and I am a great supporter of process automation. Smart metering will help our national energy management. The price impact upon me is relatively small: perhaps £40 per year so it is not the end of the world.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not criticising Ovo for this.

zeupater

.... perhaps someone should ask for clarification of what happens if an export enabled smart-meter is fitted in a property with multiple TGMs, possibly for different generating technologies, on different export tariffs ?? ... ... are their systems 'smart' enough to cope, dumb enough to require manual apportionment (based on TIC), or would they just revert to deemed export in order to avoid the additional administration ....

Z
(Tongue-in-cheek)

tunnel

zeupater wrote: »

.... perhaps someone should ask for clarification of what happens if an export enabled smart-meter is fitted in a property with multiple TGMs
Z

That's certainly a question I'll be asking if/when I'm asked about smart meters as I have 2 different export tariffs, although for me personally I believe with no diverter in situ I can only gain.

kevin6666

zeupater wrote: »

.... perhaps someone should ask for clarification of what happens if an export enabled smart-meter is fitted in a property with multiple TGMs, possibly for different generating technologies, on different export tariffs ?? ... ... are their systems 'smart' enough to cope, dumb enough to require manual apportionment (based on TIC), or would they just revert to deemed export in order to avoid the additional administration ....

Z
(Tongue-in-cheek)

The Metered Export will be/is split based on TIC. For the majority this isn't an issue as they tend to both have the same export rate anyway. However it is possible to have two different Export rates (forgetting very large systems) but they're only a penny or so apart so the financial impact good or bad would be very small for Domestic systems.


Surprised OVO is enforcing this so early. The majority of Licensees will turn a blind eye to this as long as possible I suspect.

thenudeone

It's possible that moving to a different electricity supplier may make your "smart" meter dumb once again (and therefore you revert back to deemed export), since the current generation of smart meters are not (AFAIK) inter-usable between suppliers.

theboylard

thenudeone wrote: »

It's possible that moving to a different electricity supplier may make your "smart" meter dumb once again (and therefore you revert back to deemed export), since the current generation of smart meters are not (AFAIK) inter-usable between suppliers.

That's what I originally thought.
However, Ovo are asking Sterling to provide export readings, they are not taken automagically - which I thought was the purpose of smart meters?!

So there is nothing to stop a.n.other utility, upon discovering there is a "proper" export meter at the property, from doing the same.

Slippery slope this - based on the fact that smart meters have been in the offing for quite some time, would you have a claim against an installer who sold a diverter, knowing that they will potentially lower your income once you go smart, escpecially if the savings are included in your quote?

As smart meters are not compulsory, are those who refuse them likely to be put on higher/uncompetitive tariffs, a bit like the prepay market currently?

What about those with RaR installs? If you go smart and have a diverter, would the company have any grounds as you are depriving them of income?
Do their contracts comtain anything about metering?

Just random thoughts on Monday job hunt....

Sterlingtimes

theboylard wrote: »

That's what I originally thought.
However, Ovo are asking Sterling to provide export readings, they are not taken automatically - which I thought was the purpose of smart meters?!

The FIT Team at Ovo doesn't know whether the export readings are or can be collected automatically.

For my part, I have been left with a "dumb" meter since the "Smart Meter" doesn't work. I have asked Ovo to resolve.

theboylard wrote: »

So there is nothing to stop a.n.other utility, upon discovering there is a "proper" export meter at the property, from doing the same.

I am not sure because the ordinary fuel supply and the FIT are dealt with under separate contracts.

theboylard wrote: »

Slippery slope this - based on the fact that smart meters have been in the offing for quite some time, would you have a claim against an installer who sold a diverter, knowing that they will potentially lower your income once you go smart, especially if the savings are included in your quote?

I think that there is nothing to prevent electricity however it is sourced being use to heat an element.

theboylard wrote: »

As smart meters are not compulsory, are those who refuse them likely to be put on higher/uncompetitive tariffs, a bit like the prepay market currently?

I would not have accepted the Smart Meter had I know that I would be moved to export metering.

theboylard wrote: »

What about those with RaR installs? If you go smart and have a diverter, would the company have any grounds as you are depriving them of income?
Do their contracts contain anything about metering?

I think the answer is no

theboylard wrote: »

Just random thoughts on Monday job hunt....

Are you thinking about a job linked to Smart Metering?

theboylard

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

Are you thinking about a job linked to Smart Metering?

Good lots no!
Just random thoughts that pop up whilst editing/amending cover letters/cv's for applications!

Not so much lateral thinking as lateral procrastination!!

theboylard

To be honest Sterling, I'd invoice Ovo for the work you are doing for them?!

Guinea pig, copy editor and meter reader!!

Sterlingtimes

theboylard wrote: »

To be honest Sterling, I'd invoice Ovo for the work you are doing for them?!

Guinea pig, copy editor and meter reader!!

Two observations:

[1] I am very much a proponent of smart metering and process technology. I can see how improved management of supply and demand can go a little way toward resolving the energy crisis that is facing us. I care about this.

[2] Ovo has a remarkably good front office. It is far ahead of its competitors, however, it appears to be let down by inadequate back office processes.

I feel let down in that they sent Siemens to my house to install and commission my smart meters. Siemens under time pressure would (could) not finish the installation process. They should have arranged a prompt follow-up visit.

They subsequently sent me the smart gateway that will not work (possibly because the smart meter doesn't communicate with Ovo).

They deleted all of my historical information on My Ovo on the basis that the smart meter had been successfully installed.

They then told me that I should not be disconcerted because my smart meter is actually a dumb meter, and I am no worse off than I was before.

Then (my own fault perhaps) I lose my deemed export status having gained no benefit.

Ovo could learn a little if they would engage with me.

Andy_WSM

I personally think companies should stop messing around with smart meters. The way they are carrying on there is little, if anything, to be gained.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/29/costs_of_smart_meters_rise_to_19bn/

Smart meters will cost as much as the Trident nuclear deterrent to implement, with the full cost of the scheme rising to £19bn, according to a government report.

Or, the optimist could say "About a third of the price of the HS2 project".