Smart Meters (Again)

[bhg481]

There is an advertisement in this week's Radio Times claiming that by having a smart meter fitted "You'll be helping Britain's energy system use more renewable resources". How can they justify that claim?

[bednobs]

why don't you ask them? Or the ASA?
off the top of my head I cant think of a reason (just like I can't really see how they save you electricity)
If you put the kettle on and the needle jumps up, you're hardly going to turn it off are you?

[bednobs]

perhaps if they know more about the demand at certain days/times it could help the energy acquisition be smoothed?

[Mamyalynne]

The advertisement should either quote their sources or they should be available on their website.

[Cloverjo]

The idea is that you can see how much electricity you’re using in real time and switch unnecessary things off, and look for other forms of energy. I think!

Mine doesn’t work, though.

[bhg481]

The advert is anonymous ie, no particular energy company or the government sponsoring it, so no-one to ask (or blame).

[Mamyalynne]

Which page is it on?

[bhg481]

Page 32.

[Mamyalynne]

Ta

[bhg481]

It's RT for next week, 24-30 Oct, page 32.

[bhg481]

I can understand them claiming it helps people reduce their energy consumption, although I disagree with that, but I can't see how it changes the source to renewables.

[barry1010]

Smart Energy GB placed the ad. https://www.smartenergygb.org/en/smart-meter-benefits/smart-meters-the-quiet-revolution#:~:text=THE%20QUIET%20REVOLUTION.-,Smart%20meters%20are%20helping%20to%20upgrade%20our%20outdated%20energy%20system,Join%20the%20quiet%20revolution.

[ABerrant]

Smart meters are only one part of the equation, another being smart grids.

The argument goes that the near real time data smart meters provide will tell the smart energy system how much energy is being used, when and where across Great Britain. This will help the energy system better manage the supply and demand of energy to reduce waste, and also shift energy usage away from traditional peak times – which are currently reliant on fossil fuel energy – and make better use of the more inconsistent renewables.

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/blog/balancing-grid-smart-meters

[Mamyalynne]

Thank you Barry, certainly not very clear on the page.

Always best if you can find a source.

[bhg481]

The generating companies know exactly how much energy is being consumed at any given time, they don't need to know which households it comes from.

[barry1010]

"The organisation was set up by the Government to advocate the take-up of smart gas and electricity meters. It includes consumer representatives, and is funded by energy suppliers but is not involved itself in the installation of smart meters."

https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/smart-energy-gb-hits-back-smart-meter-research-2017-09/#:~:text=The%20organisation%20was%20set%20up,the%20installation%20of%20smart%20meters.

[youngmafbog]

They want you on it so they can eventually charge more for certain times. The grid is not up to the demand if there are massive increases, they used to suffer during World cup finals for instance - everyone put the kettle on and it brings it almost to its knees. With electric cars being pushed the problem will only be exasperated since we are shutting stations and not rebuilding (Wind is no good).

A meter that tells you what you are using is useful though. I have an Owl I bought years ago - you would be surprised at how much your background usage can be!

[New Judge]

Smart meters don't help reduce consumption. But they will. First of all, when the rollout is sufficiently widespread, there will differential tariffs: you will be charged more to switch a light on when it's dark and more to heat your home when it's cold. Then will come "selective disconnection" when the National Grid is under stress. Plans are afoot to implement this:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/12707500/energy-firms-power-switch-off-household-heating-smart-meters/

You heard it here first.

[youngmafbog]

Except I wrote similar just above :-)