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

Sterlingtimes

Andy_WSM wrote: »

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.

I think that responsibility should have rested with the electricity distribution companies (like Western Power and Electricity North West) rather than the electricity retailers.

The real gain from smart metering is in the management of electricity supply and demand. I am a firm supporter of process automation, but I think that the roll-out is confused.

I remain less than impressed with Ovo's implementation (or non-implementation in my case).

Andy_WSM

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

The real gain from smart metering is in the management of electricity supply and demand. I am a firm supporter of process automation, but I think that the roll-out is confused.

I agree. The current smart meters being fitted will never be used for supply & demand management - and like you say, this is down to the distributors not the retailers anyway. We are years off smart meters being able to control appliances or water heaters to reduce demand at peak times. Decades even.

zeupater

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

... The real gain from smart metering is in the management of electricity supply and demand. I am a firm supporter of process automation, but I think that the roll-out is confused ...

Hi

If only that was the case .....

Effectively smart-meters will hand opaque pricing back to the industry which will almost kill-off the customer's mobility regarding supplier and tariff selection.

Think about it ... the industry will, for the first time, be able to utilise HHM (half-hourly-metering) to introduce HHB (billing) as a stick to reduce demand in peak demand or supply shortfall conditions, thus introducing a set of unknown (without a crystal ball) variables which the consumer cannot possibly use within a price comparison site. The result ? ... well we all go back to the period before price (current & future) transparency resulting in reduced change momentum and inevitable gradual price hikes.

Even with the HHM figures and applicable HH tariff periods/times for yesterday it would be pretty awkward to calculate yesterday's bill on a spread-sheet, so how could you possibly predict the future and select the cheapest potential supplier ?? .... of course, they always have the option of using the carrot approach, but what's the relative effect of the two approaches on industry margins ??

HTH
Z

System

A quick question. A customer switches to Ovo. Ovo persuades the customer to have a Smart Meter installed. The customer has a PV Solar Array but the the FIT contract is not with Ovo. Deemed or export? My guess is that deemed export payments will still apply.

What then would stop an Ovo customer (who has both a supply and FIT contract with Ovo) agreeing to a Smart Meter install and then switching the FIT contract to ANOther FIT payer to retain deemed payments?

Sterlingtimes

Hengus wrote: »

What then would stop an Ovo customer (who has both a supply and FIT contract with Ovo) agreeing to a Smart Meter install and then switching the FIT contract to ANOther FIT payer to retain deemed payments?

It depends whether you have to make a declaration on your FIT application with the new FIT contract. On my first search I found this:

http://www.sse.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CoreMarketingSites/Assets/Documents/FeedInTariffApplicationForm.pdf

Do you have an export meter that has been installed by an electricity supplier? (Please tick)
*Yes No

*If yes, please provide your 13 digit export MPAN:
S
If you do not know your export MPAN, please contact the utility supplier who installed the export
meter.

Export Meter Reading
Date reading taken
If your system has a TIC of 30kW or below and you do not have an export meter that was installed by
an electricity supplier, we will estimate that 50% (75% hydro systems) of the electricity you generate
will be exported.

Sterlingtimes

Hengus wrote: »

A quick question. A customer switches to Ovo. Ovo persuades the customer to have a Smart Meter installed. The customer has a PV Solar Array but the the FIT contract is not with Ovo. Deemed or export? My guess is that deemed export payments will still apply.

I think that the correct answer is that you would need to make a declaration of fact to your FIT contract provider.

You could ignore this and be in breach of contract.

But the FIT contract provider would probably have no way of finding out.

The OFGEM rule does appear to be applied consistently across suppliers.

Anyone who takes a smart meter like me is screwed. Be warned.

System

I am with Ovo and my FIT-payer is EDF. I really cannot see Ovo wanting to give EDF export readings from their smart meter. I shall avoid testing the theory by declining the offer of a smart meter ( if one is ever offered).

Sterlingtimes

Hengus wrote: »

I am with Ovo and my FIT-payer is EDF. I really cannot see Ovo wanting to give EDF export readings from their smart meter. I shall avoid testing the theory by declining the offer of a smart meter ( if one is ever offered).

Even the Ovo FIT Team cannot say whether their system can remotely collect the export reading and convey it to them. They have told me to read myself.

But since my smart meter currently remains dumb the theory cannot be put to the test.

I have been checking out the Ovo team on LinkedIn in preparation to send a letter if nothing can be resolved.

System

i do wonder why energy companies have pushed ahead with this roll-out when there is no agreed standard (particularly, with respect to comms) for smart meters, and Govt is pushing consumers to keep switching suppliers.

zeupater

Hengus wrote: »

i do wonder why energy companies have pushed ahead with this roll-out when there is no agreed standard (particularly, with respect to comms) for smart meters, and Govt is pushing consumers to keep switching suppliers.

Hi

Looking for a reason ? .... See post #14 ...

HTH
Z