Not a question - merely an observation on this thread re smart meters which rather exemplifies the folly of this £11 billion exercise at present.
Perceived advantages:
- No more estimates - you pay for what you use
- Real time information allows you to more effectively monitor usage (and perhaps use it better). There will be savings in costs.
- Allows for market segmentation, with potential for offering better deals to consumers who are prepared to use energy more flexibly
- Incentives for consumers may even out some of the peaks and troughs in demand which may provide savings for generators
- No more meter readers employed therefore savings to providers from which consumers might ultimately benefit
Perceived disadvanatges
- Estimates need not be the default - self readings possible for virtually all consumers, thus paying for what you use has always existed.
- Self readings (monitoring) give clear information on real time usage. Official estimates of savings have been regularly downgraded, now I think less than £15 p.a.
- Market segmentation currently possible e.g economy 7. Do we really want endless choice (like broadband packages/mobile phone tariffs) which in reality make it harder to effect proper comparisons.
- As perceived savings figures are now marginal the benefits of evening out peaks and troughs for generators appears illusory.
- No guarantee that labour savings costs will be passed on, or would be particularly significant for consumers.
- Until recently all smart meters were SMETs 1 which frequently go dumb when consumers switch providers. New Smets 2 meters do not do this (but clearly from the thread are not free of problems). All Installed Smets 1s will need replacing…
- Total cost per household of fitting a new smart meter is around £270 per fitting, paid for by consumers on their bills. That is approx 3 months energy usage for savings of around £15 p.a. On this basis it will take around 18 years to pay for this (by which time the meters will need replacing anyway)
- This ignores issues involving possible technology problems and unavailability of wifi in some postcodes.
I remain to be convinced that currently this is a sensible exercise…