I have just heard that K. Rudd has just stopped the roll out of "smart meters".
Don't know if this is actually policy yet, but I would not be surprised. When the Jemena linesmen changed my meter for my solar system they said that the "smart" meters didn't work and would not be put into use, so why are we still having charges for them on our accounts?
Another insulation/hot water system/MYKI stuff up wasting taxpayers money.
"Smart Meters" not smart enough for Rudd?
(33 posts) (16 voices)-
Michael L.
MemberPosted Tuesday 23 Mar 2010 @ 11:23:03 pm from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberSome clarification. The announcement yesterday was about the Victorian Advanced Metering Initiative, and at least one newspaper articles was misleading, saying that the meter roll-out was being stopped.
From the government media release, they will not introduce Time of Use tariffs at this stage [i.e. before the election] to give time for community groups to lobby on behalf of low income households who will be disadvantaged by a TOU tariff. Expect some form of concession on this.
My reading is that the smart meter roll-out will not stop, but the introduction of TOU tariffs will be delayed.
I was wondering about how much we were being charged for smart meters. It turns out that using Origin Energy as a retailer, the overall increase in quarterly access charges was $6 to $7 for all distributors in Victoria. The metering charge was previously included within the quarterly supply charge, but is now listed separately. So at first sight it might look like you are being charged an extra $20-$30 per quarter for a smart meter, but in reality it is something less than $7 per quarter in this year.
Expect another $7 per quarter increase next year.
Have a read of the current ReNew article on smart meters.
Smart meters are being justified on a number of grounds, with no single reason being sufficient to justify the cost.
1. Reduced meter reading costs
2. Ability to introduce TOU tariffs
3. Ability to connect Solar PV system without a truck roll for meter replacement
4. Ability to connect or disconnect power when residence is vacated or re-occupied, without a truck roll.
5. Ability to inform customers about their power usage, to encourage reduction of peak power use and hence less expensive power stations need to be built, which in turn reduces power costs.It's not taxpayers money being spent, it is electricity customer money being spent.
Posted Wednesday 24 Mar 2010 @ 12:03:45 am from IP # -
KarenS
MemberMichael L.
Please sort out your governments!! Myki and the suspension of the smart meter roll-out are VICTORIAN state government stuff-ups, and have nothing to do with Mr Rudd! And as ghostgum said immediately above, it is Victorian electricity consumers who are paying for this one, not taxpayers in general!
Re the smart meter situation - here is a news article from the Energy Matters website:
and one from the Sydney Morning Herald:
http://blogs.smh.com.au/digital-life/gadgetsonthego/2010/03/24/victoriapulls.html
and one from The Age:
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/plug-pulled-on-smart-meter-plan-20100322-qrdc.html
Posted Wednesday 24 Mar 2010 @ 3:26:35 pm from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberThe Victorian government press release is
http://premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/9853.htmlQuoting "The Brumby Labor Government will ensure Victorians are fully aware of new electricity network time-of-use pricing structures associated with smart meters after announcing a moratorium on the scheme.
...
Electricity distribution businesses have agreed to delay the introduction of time-of-use pricing until more work is done to protect vulnerable Victorians.
"Posted Wednesday 24 Mar 2010 @ 10:21:59 pm from IP # -
IAEA
MemberNot so much as clarification, but adding to the grist:
I have been following this as in the case of Origin Energy (SA) they have offered a trial. The trial is limited to a number of households in the City of Salisbury, and the councils of Tea Tree Gully, Playford and Adelaide City.
The below shows that electricity will be charged at the lower rate, except during 2pm-8pm on 10 critical peak days per year where a fig. of AUD$2.035/kW(h) WILL be charged for importing electricity between those hrs.
This has nothing to do with a HMS (Heavy Maintenance Schedule) as what someone had written to me, but everything to do with imposing a 1,363.941% more than the "All year round" rate during peak daytime use between 2PM - 8PM.
This has everything to do with controlling those few days during the yr. where day temps. go off the scale and reach 40 deg. C and all that "mums and dads" want to do when they get home is to put the a/c on and cool down. Note the time of day - 2PM to 8PM.
These 10 critical days (SA) are between 1 December and 31 March.
Here in Vic. Brumby has stated that for 4 days during summer the demand for electricity spikes to such an extent that we fall into deficit to the tune of 3,000MW. This puts a huge strain on the Nat. grid and causes the production costs to soar to AUD$10,000/MW - who pays for this I wonder? Does anyone here know what the total gen. cap. here in Vic., - I do. Does anyone know what the gen. cap. of NSW, - I do.
"The Victorian Government remains committed to rolling out the 2.5 million smart meters over the next four years in all Victorian homes and small businesses," ..... from one of the links provided above.
These 2.5 million SM's WILL not be under a "trial" period but will become fully active when installed - (probably after the Vic. election have been conducted).
http://www.aer.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/731476 ..... to answer a question from one of the posters above.
Cheaper All Year Round 14.92 (c/kWh)
Critical Peak Day* $2.035 (/kWh)
Supply Charge 37.04 (c/day) ....... Option 1.Cheaper All Year Round 17.08 (c/kWh)
Critical Peak Day* $0.93 (/kWh)
Supply Charge 37.04 (c/day) ....... Option 2Welcome to the new world plebeians. BTW, I'm one myself, but choose to call myself - "A child of the universe".
IAEA
Posted Wednesday 24 Mar 2010 @ 11:59:08 pm from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberI've also looked at those "critical day" tariffs (called Dynamic Saver in the Adelaide Solar Cities project), and wondered whether it would cheaper to be on one.
The critical days will be those on which we run evaporative cooling, and our PV solar will be generating enough power to run our evaporative cooling and the rest of the house until 6pm. So at worst we would be paying for 2 hours at the punitive rate. It all depends on how much cheaper the normal tariff will be.
The alternate Adelaide Solar Cities tariffs are
Smart Time of Use - all year
Peak Energy (Mon-Fri, 7am-9pm) 28.05 (c/kWh)
Off Peak Energy (all other times) 8.800 (c/kWh)
Supply Charge 37.04 (c/day)OR
Smart Time of Use - seasonal
Usage Summer (1 Jan to 31 Mar) Non Summer (1 Apr to 31 Dec)
Peak Energy (Mon-Fri, 7am-9pm) 32.04 (c/kWh) 25.63 (c/kWh)
Off Peak Energy (all other times) 8.800 (c/kWh) 8.800 (c/kWh)
Supply Charge 37.04 (c/day) 37.04 (c/day)If you assume my usage is 11kWh per day uniform over 24 hours (not correct, but biased slightly towards flat tariff), and that on 10 critical days we use 1kW for cooling covered by PV solar except for 2 hours per day, then the costs are:
Dynamic saver option 1:
$0.1492 * 11 * 365 + $2.035 * 10days * 2 hours = 599.04 + 40.70 = $639.74paDynamic save option 2:
$0.1708 * 11 * 365 + $0.93 * 10days * 2 hours = 1496.21 + 18.60 = $704.36paSmart time of use - all year
(0.2805 * 14 + 0.088 * 10)*11/24 * 260 days + 0.088 * 11 * 105 days = $674.47paSmart time of use - seasonal
((0.3204 * 90/365 + 0.2563 * 275/365) * 14 + 0.088 * 10))*11/24 * 260 days + 0.088 * 11 * 105 days = $660.47paI didn't take into account the PV feed-in, except to reduce the effect of the critical days charges.
Without solar at all, Dynamic saver option 1 would be $721.14pa, so more expensive unless the number of critical days is less than 10.I can't compare with my current tariff because I'm not in Adelaide.
In summary, it's confusing.
If your PV solar generation exceeds your house load (including air-conditioner) on hot afternoons, then you might be better off paying that $2 per kWh on a small number of days/hours per year.Posted Thursday 25 Mar 2010 @ 1:09:24 am from IP # -
Michael L.
MemberThanks for those putting me straight, I only got the message 2nd hand, from an obviously unreliable source. I should have twigged with the reference to Rudd instead of Brumby. The charge from Origin on my latest a/c was $5.50, so I don't know what is going on with different people getting different charges.
I still stand by my comment that the Jemena linesmen, who will actually be installing these meters, claim that they do not and will not work, and that is why I compared them to MYKI.Posted Thursday 25 Mar 2010 @ 2:49:57 am from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberThe smart meter charge applies from 1 January, so quarterly bills to date will be pro-rata.
These are the Origin Energy standing rates for different distributors, for the smart meter
Citipower: $0.33462 per day
Jemena: $0.41558 per day
Powercor: $0.30602 per day
SP Ausnet: $0.29414 per day
United Energy: $0.21318 per daySo the smart meter fees range from $79 to $152 per year. However the supply charge for each distributor also varies just as wildly. Jemena has a very cheap supply charge and and expensive smart meter charge, while United Energy has cheap smart meter charge and a supply charge similar to most distributors.
First stage is installing the smart meters while still manually reading them. Next step is to read them remotely. We also need the distributor to able to transfer the TOU meter data to the retailer correctly. Only then can TOU tariffs be used properly. We were never going to see widespread TOU tariffs on smart meters before the election anyway.
Posted Thursday 25 Mar 2010 @ 3:16:37 am from IP # -
IAEA
Memberghostgum writes...
"These are the Origin Energy standing rates for different distributors, for the smart meter"
Are these figs. for Victoria, or Australia wide? Where have they obtained those figs. from and why do they not correspond with the figs. provided from the AER?
"The AER's determination approves $1.08 billion in expenditure budgets for 2009 to 2011, compared to the $1.2 billion proposed by the businesses, and also sets metering charges for 2010 and 2011. The determination results in the following charge for customers with a single phase single element meter in 2010:
* CitiPower – $104.79
* Jemena – $134.63
* Powercor – $96.67
* SP AusNet – $86.10
* United Energy Distribution – $69.21"Cheers,
IAEAPosted Thursday 25 Mar 2010 @ 4:52:34 am from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberThese are for Victoria only and from the Origin Energy page
http://www.originenergy.com.au/963/Origin-standard-published-ratesIt looks like your figures are what the distributor charges the retailer, and I gave the figures for what one retailer charges the customer.
Posted Thursday 25 Mar 2010 @ 5:24:36 am from IP # -
IAEA
Memberghostgum writes...
"It looks like your figures are what the distributor charges the retailer, and I gave the figures for what one retailer charges the customer."
The AER have just rung me and the figs. I posted are correct. They are the charges to the customer - "The determination results in the following charge for customers with a single phase single element meter in 2010". They are to respond re: the difference between Origin and their figs. on their website where I obtained those that I posted.
Cheers,
IAEAPosted Thursday 25 Mar 2010 @ 6:15:31 am from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberYou have the joys of a fully deregulated system now so AER and ESCVIC have limited jurisdiction for what they (Utilities) can put in their retail plans and charges.
Residential and commercial consumers need to shop around to get the best deal, and certainly never take what's said publicly, or even through call centres for that matter, at face value.Posted Monday 29 Mar 2010 @ 7:11:15 am from IP # -
dabbles
MemberG'day.
I can't help wondering why people either don't give a stuff or, alternatively, aren't out in the streets rioting and lynching a few politicians.What's the value in haggling over a few numbers when the very concept is wrong in principle and ought to be resisted strenuously. It's an imposition which is of ABSOLUTELY NO BENEFIT to consumers/payers, and which will grow exponentially. The Americans fought a bloody war over the imposition of taxes, and all the Australians do is haggle over the details. It's shameful! Haven't any of you heard the term 'civil disobedience'??
I lived with stand-alone energy for over 25 years until I moved into town recently, for health purposes, and know that I can provide for myself. Although my usage is only about 4.5 kwh a day (and will cut that by 30%), I've recently stuck 3kw worth of solar panels on the roof (at a total cost of only $2 per watt ~ you MUST shop around) and hope I'll be able to stay on the grid until that has paid for itself via FIT/savings; estimated to be betwen 2 and 3 years.
Theoretically, that will pay all my 'power bills' including the 'service charge' and GST, and return in the order of $1600 a year in cash. As soon as the the prices climb to where they start sending me bills again ( and they will, prices being what they are!), I'll disconnect from the grid with a pair of boltcutters.
Already have 2000 ah of storage batteries wired up, and will use them to boost proceeds from the FIT.
I WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PAY A SINGLE CENT TOWARD THOSE INIQUITOUS 'SMART METERS'......and nor would any Australian worthy of the badge.
Don't haggle with the bastards. FIGHT!!
Posted Tuesday 13 Apr 2010 @ 9:10:27 am from IP # -
Tacker
MemberExcuse my ignorance, I am considering a PV system in Victoria and want to make the most of the FIT. Thinking of 2kw which will absolutely cover my usage. My usage is pretty much all at night, so will be exporting to the grid during the day
I currently have your standard meter, which obviously will not provide information to the retailer on the exported power vs usage. What meter do I need to have? (a smart meter?), I understand that you need one that measures gross usage every 1/2 hour. Can anyone provide a link or more information on the required meters suitable for PV in Victoria.
Thanks
Posted Monday 31 May 2010 @ 11:46:04 pm from IP # -
gully
MemberOnce you get your paperwork from the PV install you can request a smart meter install from your retailer, which your energy distributor will install for you. Your retailer will charge you $??? for this. Different distributors, different smart meters. Best bet is to speak to the solar department of your retailer about this, and about their solar plans.
Posted Tuesday 1 Jun 2010 @ 12:08:00 am from IP # -
AnaylzeThis
MemberHi Tacker,
Gully is right, essentially, the Electricity Distribution Networks (5 operating in victoria) determine the type of metering to be installed.
Essentially, a Solar PV compliant Meter must allow for IMPORT and EXPORT functions.
Some Network's are installing Smart Meter's with a view of switching on their functionality later in the year when the AMI(Advanced Metering Infrastructure)Project ramps up it's roll out.Other Network's are installing the standard Interval metering which does not have the additional functionality the smart meters proposed to be installed do, only the IMPORT/EXPORT functions.
Might i add, from my experience in the retail industry, the installer's paperwork (EWR & CES) is often invalid. With unprecedented numbers of requests flooding retailers, they are either forced to submit the paperwork as it is, or attempt to validate it through the installer.
How quickly your Solar Meter get's installed is dependent on how valid the paperwork is firstly, secondly how quickly the retailer is able to process your request and thirdly, whether the distributor has any Solar metering stock left to action your request soon enough.
There's word that SP Ausnet have a 50 day delay on their solar installation requests due to a shortage of stock.
In terms of cost, a 'Truck Visit' is usually the charge a retailer will pass on to a consumer. It averages from $120 - $220. However, some retailers are known to increase their profit margins on this.
Powercor/Citipower have a Project management fee of $299 also.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
Posted Wednesday 2 Jun 2010 @ 3:57:06 am from IP # -
olfella
MemberThis smart meters business start some years ago when the Productivity Commission came in with another of their ways to may life harder, while generating high revenue so Governments could get maximum dollars for selling off all public assets to the likes of Macquarie Bank. The very big problem I have with ToU is it is a direct attack on the hip pocket of the elderly, infirmed & families with a stay at home mother looking after young children. MEANWHILE, large businesses continue to be offered huge electicity discounts.
Here in NSW with Energy Australia, the rate is simply higher during the hours of most activity, unless you are an owl or a bat.
I'm fed up with this diatribe from politicians, academics & bureaucrats which presumes everyone is wilfully wasteful of energy & can do all these things to change their 'extravagant' lifestyles. It has cost me a fortune to put in my Evac Tube SHWS, 2.4kW Solar power system, rainwater tanks, water limiting devices, blindness inducing 'efficient' lightglobes & replaced old appliances with efficient, high star rated power & water efficient ones.
The problem is, my bills keep going up.
Our Governments aren't really about efficiency, but maintaining its revenue grab & growth, without investing in maintenance or network upgrade.
In NSW our infrastructure is a disgrace & it has become that way over the last 2 decades because our politicians stripped all the cashflow, maintenance & capital expenditure funds out of all infrastructure, utilities & essential services, so the then premier could ponce about getting a trinket hung around his neck by the Lord of The Rings. I reckon the same has been true in Victoria with all the dough it commits to games and sporting event for the sake of image & prestige. That's our problem in Australia, political prima donnas are too damned good at wasting our money so they can strut like peacocks on some podium.
When it comes right down to it, it costs a fortune to be environmentally efficient as they can afford. After that, one has to cut back unsustainably to survive. After all, the governments don't want you to reduce usage, if it means they get less revenue; hence 'innovations' like ToU tariffs.
Let me turn to these phantom peak usage days. What the hell do we have a national grid for, if we don't use it to efficiently load share generation? Can anyone explain to me why we needed an artificial national energy market, specifically designed to negate that efficient use of infrastructure, for the specific purpose of exploiting the differing weather conditions in different parts of the grid? Why should a mWhr of power in Melbourne or Sydney be $11k in one & only $200 in the other. That in a nutshell proves this has everything to do with money, nothing to do with efficieny.
We're all being conned.
Posted Saturday 5 Jun 2010 @ 9:42:18 am from IP # -
Real smart metering and energy management technology exists in Australia already.
La Trobe University’s Centre for Technology Infusion and Melbourne-based semiconductor developer Semitech Innovations Pty Ltd today joined forces to deliver a cost-effective solution to soaring energy demands.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2009/article/la-trobe-launches-smart-energy-company
Posted Monday 7 Jun 2010 @ 2:27:34 am from IP # -
Original story was August 2009. I'd say the demo project is still going. R&D park at Bundoora would be worth following up.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2009/2652517.htm
Posted Monday 7 Jun 2010 @ 8:26:15 am from IP # -
smilty
MemberSMART METER FRAUD!
Its time people start to realise that the Smart Meter Rollout is nothing but fraud with absolutely NO benefit to the consumer and provides NO climate change benefits. This is all about Taxpayer footing the BILL for Big Private Business infrastucture and asset improvements. The sole purpose of these smart meters are:
1. Asset and Infrastructure improvements for energy suppliers and distributors so that they can increase their profits and reduce their costs on the "pretext of climate change"
2. Smart Meters reduce costs of energy supplier/distributer - for one thing they will not have to send someone to read the meter, they can monitor and log your energy consumption details/profiles and may use this information for "other purposes" against your privacy. They are NOT oblidged to provide you access to this information for FREE and most likely SELL access to 3rd parties so that they can "Charge YOU" for the service?
3. Smart meters have an internal relay where the supplier/distributor can instantly cut-off your supply - they will use this if you dont't pay your bill withing a certain time and then you will have to pay a re-connection fee - this facility costs them nothing but give them more authority
4. Smart meters Do NOT reduce energy consumption and hence have ABSOLUTELY NO BENERFIT to the consumer who is FORCED to pay for it by LAW ?
5. They "SAY" that in the "FUTURE" (5-10 years down the track) consumers can read their energy consumption over the "internet" which will allow consumers to reduce their energy consumption? -- What a lot of BullShit this is because firstly it is highly likely that consumers will have to pay to access this or will be charged for it in their bill and secondly the energy dats will be "far to old" (6 weeks behind) to be of any use and Thirdly it is a FACT that recent studies have shouwn that less than 1% of consumers will actually bother to take the time to log onto the internet to read their Old consumption history. This kind of crude data is already available on current billing statements anyway
6. The introduction of Smart Meters will INCREASE CONSUMER COSTS -- as has already is the case, the system now puts into to place "time of Use" chargers TOU that will give the suppliers the ability to increase CONSUMER COSTS EVEN MORE and certainly it allows them to INCREASE PRIVATE PROFITS if you are forced to reduce YOUR consumption because of these TOU chargers -- Simply because they WILL CHARGE YOU MORE WHILE PROVIDING YOU LESS ENERGY -- its nothing but FRAUD
I challenge ANYONE to GIVE ME ONE situation WHERE the introduction of these SMART METERS - iS of ANY BENEFIT TO THE CONSUMER AND CAN JUSTIFY TO ME WHY THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO PAY FOR these PRIVATE BUSINESS infrastucture Asset Improvements
Posted Tuesday 31 Aug 2010 @ 6:08:51 am from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberSmilty, I share some of your angst against misleading representations of the benefits of smart metering. However, you'd have to agree that 100 year old infrastructure and technology is no longer adequate for the 21st century.
1. Yes. It will reduce some costs associated with meter reading and fault correction, but No, it wont actually flow through to huge increased bottom line profit - that is regulated. Whatever miniscule new profit is created (through efficiency and accuracy improvement) is hardly worth complaining about. You get ripped off more buying petrol and groceries. Smart metering will assist energy retailers reconcile there clearance accounts with distributors and generators an order of magnitude better than they can now and will give retailers more accurate near real time data that will help them better manage their business and give customers competitive offers.
2. You're a bit off the mark. Consumers have free access to their data guaranteed. They may not get analytics but they will get access to the 'vanilla' data free within 24 hours of the daily reading. Third parties are prohibited from accessing your data without your express approval and that comes with a sunset clause. Yes, new Energy Services Company's will offer 'value added services' for a fee.
3. Darn right. If you dont pay your bills why shouldnt you be considered for disconnection if you dont participate in hardship reconciliation processes? Utilities are essential services but the companies are not charities. Government has to take an active role in supporting 'poor' households.
4. Agree
5. Sort of agree. Data needs to be fresh and real, contextualised, and include more than just the granular energy readings. The funny thing is that all this information winds up becoming redundant when you learn new efficient behaviors. For example, I used to manufacture the PowerMate and used a dozen in my home to extensively catalog every appliance use cost and individual use among the 4 of us. That was 2 years ago and as you say - adding a smart meter in my home wont give me anything new. As for the Internet thing, perhaps like you I'm a bit old school and dont want to rely on PC's, networks and mobile devices for in-home data. Get used to it.
6. Yes, costs are climbing as a result of many factors, not just smart meters. Frankly it's the structure of the TOU tariffs that needs a lot more work, than the meters themselves.Posted Friday 3 Sep 2010 @ 1:30:21 am from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberAnother comment on item 3. There are processes for disconnecting your power, and if they disconnect your power without following them (e.g. without notice to you), they are subject to daily penalties until they fix it.
The advantage of the load switch is that they can turn on the power without sending a person out. But it does increase the risks of accidental disconnections.
Posted Friday 3 Sep 2010 @ 3:54:13 am from IP # -
smilty
MemberHi alfresco24/ghostum
Thanks for comments -- My main argumenet here is that the Taxpayer is forced to pay for the infrastucture and assets of PRIVATE ENTERPRISERS with absoluetly NOTHING GUARANTEED that there WILL BE LOWER COSTS AND ANY BENEFITS to consumers!
I am sure replaceing the 100 year old infrastucture has its benefits to these PRIVATE ENTERPRISERS and will lower their cost base - and I would have NO OBJECTION if they were publically owned enterprises - But the bottom line is they are in private business to MAKE PROFITS and NO amount of government regulation will or can put a LIMIT on how much profit they can make.1. As you have said Smart Metering Assists the retailors and producers ONLY - there is absolutely no requirement for them to reduce consumer costs - sure they will initally "appear to do so" - but its all about making money for them - its how the real world works mate - smart meters GIVES THEM (for FREE) the infra-structure for HUGE CONSUMER cost increases in the near future - MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT!
2. I don't think I am off the mark that Consumers do not have "free access" as such - accept to physically go outside and read the dam meter, the meter cannot be directly accessed by a home computer or a inhome display device, nor does it allow a wred or wifi or Wireless zigbee link. You can "maybe" only access data after the reseller has prepared your bill - even then you will not have access after 24hours - more likely months. I have contacted united energy and they have said there is NO system in place nor no is there a system planned to allow customer access as "yet" and they don't really care - they wash their hands on this matter - its all "talk".
3. Give them the ability to shut off the power and they will certainly abuse it - as you say THEY ARE PRIVATE ENTERPRISES - so why should Taxpayer's pay for their ASSETS?
4. You seem content with using the power mate devices, and obviously see that "smart meters" are of no benefit to you - then are you happy to "pay for all this un-necessary and needless" infra-structure ?
5. You are right - Cost will rise no-matter if we have smart meters so why do we need to pay for them -- $2billion bucks could pay for two new hospitals and be far more useful to taxpayers ?
Posted Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 @ 3:47:11 am from IP # -
Michael L.
MemberJust been to a forum conducted by minister Peter Batchelor, (Vic) and naturally he was "glowing" in his claims fo these meters. He did say that anyone connecting to Solar can demand that a smart meter is installed, (not just the FIT reading meter most of us have been stuck with), whether or not the area is scheduled for change
Apparently these meters have been available for quite a few years, there was one person at the forum who had one in the late 1990s. He was able to programme it so that ALL his Saturday and Sunday power usage was off peak, so that's when he did all the washing and all the other power hungry jobs around the house. Batchelor said that is acceptable, if thats so, maybe we can make all day time usage off peak, and night time peak? Seems to good to be true, and probably is.
To quote the flyer distributed:-
"Over time you'll be able to choose a retail plan, like you can with your phone, which suits the times you use electricity. If you don't like your plan, or it doesn't meet your needs, it'll be even faster to switch to another plan or retail supplier"So, maybe I'll have all daylight hours, say 8am to 5pm when my solar panels are working, as peak, and all night power, 5pm to 8am as off peak! Yeah, right!
In answer to another question, he replied that houses without an earth leakage detector, and circuit breakers, will BE REQUIRED to pay for a new switchboard before the smart meter is installed, no exceptions. From a mates experience, about $900.Posted Thursday 9 Sep 2010 @ 7:29:39 am from IP # -
ghostgum
MemberMichaelL, I question whether upgrading of the switchboard will always be required. As an example, some houses have a meter box with nothing but the meter in it, and then a separate switchboard in the house. For these, the distributor can swap the meter without ever going inside the house and inspecting the switchboard.
Posted Thursday 9 Sep 2010 @ 11:40:11 pm from IP # -
Sojin_Muneshi
Member"In answer to another question, he replied that houses without an earth leakage detector, and circuit breakers, will BE REQUIRED to pay for a new switchboard before the smart meter is installed, no exceptions. From a mates experience, about $900."
This is crap! absolutely false!
Regardless of what the Minister was heard to say! nearly 200,000 smartmeters have already been deployed to customers installations in Victoria, without any such requirement - so much for "NO" exceptions! they are virtually "ALL" exceptions!
There is no such requirement! read the DPI's own Smart Meter website, read the Distributors own Smart Meter webpages, read the papers that are NOT full of people complaining about suffering $900 costs to replace their switchboard!
It doesnt exist! Its not happening!
"IF" a customer's installation is found or tested unsafe/defective during installation of the Smart Meter they will be required to repair it and bring it up to current standard. (The tests are done at the meter and do not neccessarily require access to the customers main switchboard other than to turn off the main switch)
That is an existing testing/safety/defect policy arising from any utility work undertaken on the site and identifying a defect.
BUT that does NOT extend to all other "safe" but "old" installations built to the old standards, and simply requiring them to have to install safety switches or replace fuses with circuit breakers etc just because the Smart meter is being installed!
Those customers will not be required to upgrade their switchboard to add safety switches and CBs in place of fuses! simply because the Smart Meter is being installed - the Smart Meter program is already underway and not doing so!
regards
Sojin Muneshi
Posted Saturday 11 Sep 2010 @ 1:07:51 pm from IP # -
Sojin_Muneshi
Member"He did say that anyone connecting to Solar can demand that a smart meter is installed, (not just the FIT reading meter most of us have been stuck with), whether or not the area is scheduled for change
Apparently these meters have been available for quite a few years, there was one person at the forum who had one in the late 1990s. He was able to programme it so that ALL his Saturday and Sunday power usage was off peak, so that's when he did all the washing and all the other power hungry jobs around the house. "5 Day Time of Use tariffs have been in place in Victoria for over 20 years (the SEC's Winner Tariff, tens of thousands of customers have been happily using them will all weekend off-peak! its not Smart Metering being available for years, just electronic ToU metering.
Not all Distributors are currently able to provide their Smart Meters for Solar use, but that is only a temporary situation, and at least 2 are already providing them as standard for all PFIT installations. Some are also already progressing use of Smart Meters for all New Connections.
regards
Sojin Muneshi
Posted Saturday 11 Sep 2010 @ 1:22:58 pm from IP # -
smilty
MemberPeter Batchelor said:
"Over time you'll be able to choose a retail plan, like you can with your phone, which suits the times you use electricity. If you don't like your plan, or it doesn't meet your needs, it'll be even faster to switch to another plan or retail supplier"What a load of Rubbish - Just look at what's happened over the years when our governmnents have sold-off important public enterprises to PRIVATE BUSINESS. They promised that competition will drive lower prices and provide better services? Well that simply hasn't happened, Energy cost shave risen enormously. Yeh you can switch carriers whenever you want for the same stuff that comes out of the same wires from the same pool of generators for baisically the SAME PRICE. Do your sums properley and you will see that prices amongst these so-called "competitive private enterprises" is basically the same, they are ALL EXPENSIVE, PRICES HAVE RISEN, AND THEY MAKE HUGE PROFITS - Colusion is part of the greed. Its all hidden IT accounting gibberish not worth the paper its printed on - but increasing profits are generated for these private enterprises.
The same will happen with this foolish good for nothing Smart Meter roll-out - its purely for private enterprise "profit generating schemes" - and the public taxpayer is footing the bill for this private infra-structure.
Peter Batchelor is a typical slime politician - LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES!
Posted Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 @ 1:20:27 pm from IP #
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