Gas meter proxy query

MikeE67

I have recently had a new meter exchange by my current supplier as the old meter was faulty.
Before it was exchanged my gas meter was unable to send my meter readings automatically as the gas icon went missing from the IHD screen and all I got was a "waiting for current data" message !

It is different this time as I don't get the "waiting for current data" message and also my IHD updates with the gas meter readings so, as I understand it, the gas proxy in the comms hub is receiving the readings from my gas meter aprox every 30 minutes so I don’t understand why my supplier can't retrieve them ?

There is no WAN connectivity problem as my electricity meter readings do get sent at half hourly intervals as I am on a ToU tariff, namely, Octopus Go.

I don't understand smart meters lol

MWT

Sounds like you are nearly there, on a small point, your meter doesn't actively send anything, it listens and waits for requests for data and that will be where the problem is.

Octopus use a 3rd party to provide the Adaptor services for the DCC and it would seem that they are not currently asking for the gas data or if they are asking it is not being delivered to your account.

If you have not already done so, email smart@octopus.energy and let them know that you can see your gas data locally but it is not currently being collected or if it is  then it isn't being delivered to your account.

If you want further validation, got to https://data.n3rgy.com/consumer/home and sign up as a consumer, that will give you direct access to the same information that is available to Octopus. It may take up to 24 hours to populate the first time though.

[Deleted User]

A supplier can only access smart meter data if it is the designated supplier and it has applied the appropriate supplier specific security certificates to the ESME (electricity meter) and to the GSME (gas meter). To prevent third-party access, SMETS2 metering is subject to layered GCHQ - level security. An ESME/ GSME will not respond to any messages from the supplier that are not fully authenticated. It follows that if someone hacked into your actual meter, the DCC, or the supplier, the potential to widespread harm to the Grid is minimised. It follows that when things gone wrong, it may not be an easy fix for the supplier.

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/the-smart-security-behind-the-gb-smart-metering-system

MikeE67

@MWT

Thsnks for replying.
I have already contacted smart@octopus.energy and they said that I need to give monthly gas meter readings as the HAN connectivity is no longer working as the signal is too weak and that I need to wait a few months for dual band hubs to become available (after the delay due to Covid19) as this will improve my signal.

I don't think that is the problem otherwise both of my CAD's wouldn't update !

I use the Chameleon IHD6 and the Hildebrand CAD.

Regarding the n3rgy website, I get electricity data but no gas !

My meter was exchanged on 18th February and was working okay until 3rd March then for apparently no reason, the gas meter readings just stopped !

This is what my Octopus dashboard shows:  

MikeE67

[Deleted User] 

That was the problem last time in that my meters weren't properly commissioned as they never worked properly from day one but on this installation a company called Energise carried out the installation and I assume that the installation was carried out properly as they are in partnership with Octopus Energy ?

It's just disappointing that my entire SMETS2 system has been replaced only last month and already there are problems !

It's not as much hassle as before as at least I can give my monthly meter readings by checking out the Chameleon IHD6 rather than press buttons on the gas meter to access the meter readings but that is not the point in having a smart meter !

MWT

MikeE67 said:

Regarding the n3rgy website, I get electricity data but no gas !

If you were using the n3rgy site before your meter replacement you may need to repeat the consent process and then give it 24 hours and the gas data will probably start flowing...

MikeE67

MWT said:

MikeE67 said:

Regarding the n3rgy website, I get electricity data but no gas !

If you were using the n3rgy site before your meter replacement you may need to repeat the consent process and then give it 24 hours and the gas data will probably start flowing...

I didn't know that, thanks !

MikeE67

@MWT
Your advice worked. I am now able to retrieve my gas data after repeating the consent process.

This doesn't explain why Octopus can't retrieve the data though 🤔 

MWT

MikeE67 said:

This doesn't explain why Octopus can't retrieve the data though 🤔 

Odds are they still need to apply their certificate to the new gas meter to give them the permission they need to retrieve the data.

Just keep reminding them that the data is available to properly certified 3rd parties so the data path via the DCC is proven to be working...

MikeE67

MWT said:

MikeE67 said:

This doesn't explain why Octopus can't retrieve the data though 🤔 

Odds are they still need to apply their certificate to the new gas meter to give them the permission they need to retrieve the data.

Just keep reminding them that the data is available to properly certified 3rd parties so the data path via the DCC is proven to be working...

Will do, thanks👍 

MikeE67

MWT said:

MikeE67 said:

This doesn't explain why Octopus can't retrieve the data though 🤔 

Odds are they still need to apply their certificate to the new gas meter to give them the permission they need to retrieve the data.

Just keep reminding them that the data is available to properly certified 3rd parties so the data path via the DCC is proven to be working...

Thinking about it, it does seem strange that my gas meter readings were being sent to Octopus for around 2 weeks after the meter exchange then they suddenly stopped for no reason.

Surely if the certificates weren't applied then how come I had WAN connectivity on the gas for around 2 weeks ?

Perhaps the systems in place needed this amount of time to realise something was wrong ?