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jbamford92
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August 7, 2024
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Home Assistant Implementation

  • August 7, 2024
  • 20 replies
  • 1065 views

Hi folks,

 

I am with OVO Energy for both Electric & Gas, however I am looking at implementing, Power usage, Live updates, Balance into Home Assistant, I have tried using the API Method in Home Assistant but the problem is that I get an Authentication error.

 

Reason why I want to do this, the IHS is no use to me as I travel a lot and I have servers for my business which I need to keep online, the Live snapshot in the OVO app doesn’t always update, not only that I cannot see live statistics without the old IHS Display. 

 

Now I have looked the manual for the Electric Meter which a Secure Liberty 100 it supports ZigBee ZSEP1.1, it also has a Optical IEC1107 connection on front the Electric Meter which can be used for local readings i.e Power Consumption, Balance etc.

 

From reading in the Manual for this Meter it says that it can be enabled or disabled now could this Optical IEC1107 be enabled for local readings ?

 

Another possibility the Meter supports Zigbee I have other devices I manage through Home assistant which are also Zigbee could it be possible to use a Zigbee Hub with this Meter?

 

As this is meant to be Smart Meters I think this would be good to just have a all in one app i.e Home Assistant to look at Power Consumption, Balance, monthly usage etc.

 

Regards

 

Jack

Best answer by BPLightlog

Updated on 30/06/25 by Ben_OVO

Hi @jbamford92 , unfortunately the OVO API integration is via a third party and not fully functioning (as far as I’m aware).

I use Home Assistant and use a Hildebrand Glow IHD to gather data directly from the meter and feed into HA via an MQTT feed. 
 

I think any direct connection is problematic as there is quite a high level of security involved 

20 replies

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper UserSolved
Super User
August 7, 2024

Updated on 30/06/25 by Ben_OVO

Hi @jbamford92 , unfortunately the OVO API integration is via a third party and not fully functioning (as far as I’m aware).

I use Home Assistant and use a Hildebrand Glow IHD to gather data directly from the meter and feed into HA via an MQTT feed. 
 

I think any direct connection is problematic as there is quite a high level of security involved 

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    J
    Rank 2
    jbamford92Author
    Rank 2
    August 7, 2024

    Hi @jbamford92 , unfortunately the OVO API integration is via a third party and not fully functioning (as far as I’m aware).

    I use Home Assistant and use a Hildebrand Glow IHD to gather data directly from the meter and feed into HA via an MQTT feed. 
     

     

    Hi thanks for the reply,

     

    The IHD monitor you have is different to the one I have. Secure Model Pipit 500. How did you implement the MQTT feed into Home Assistant?

     

    Would it be possible to use the Optical IEC1107 and just do away with the IHD if I am just putting it through Home Assistant?

     

    Regards

     

    Jack

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    August 7, 2024

    Hi @jbamford92 , unfortunately the OVO API integration is via a third party and not fully functioning (as far as I’m aware).

    I use Home Assistant and use a Hildebrand Glow IHD to gather data directly from the meter and feed into HA via an MQTT feed. 
     

     

    Hi thanks for the reply,

     

    The IHD monitor you have is different to the one I have. Secure Model Pipit 500. How did you implement the MQTT feed into Home Assistant?

     

    Would it be possible to use the Optical IEC1107 and just do away with the IHD if I am just putting it through Home Assistant?

     

    Regards

     

    Jack

    Again, as far as I’m aware, the optical interface is only for engineering use - not customers.

    The Glow IHD is very useful and can be ready enabled with MQTT. You then just use a MQTT client within HA to gather readings and show on your dashboard.

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      J
      Rank 2
      jbamford92Author
      Rank 2
      August 7, 2024

      Hi @jbamford92 , unfortunately the OVO API integration is via a third party and not fully functioning (as far as I’m aware).

      I use Home Assistant and use a Hildebrand Glow IHD to gather data directly from the meter and feed into HA via an MQTT feed. 
       

       

      Hi thanks for the reply,

       

      The IHD monitor you have is different to the one I have. Secure Model Pipit 500. How did you implement the MQTT feed into Home Assistant?

       

      Would it be possible to use the Optical IEC1107 and just do away with the IHD if I am just putting it through Home Assistant?

       

      Regards

       

      Jack

      Again, as far as I’m aware, the optical interface is only for engineering use - not customers.

      The Glow IHD is very useful and can be ready enabled with MQTT. You then just use a MQTT client within HA to gather readings and show on your dashboard.

       

      Okay, with the Hildebrand Glow IHD do you have to contact OVO to get the monitor connected to both meters Electric & Gas ? or do you link them? The original IHS Monitor I mentioned above was configured there end I think back in 2016 or maybe 2015 I can’t remember now but I’ve had it for some while.

       

      Regards

       

      Jack

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      August 7, 2024

      Hildebrand are very good - they would check against your meter details and pre-pair the unit if compatible 

      https://shop.glowmarkt.com/

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      J
      Rank 2
      jbamford92Author
      Rank 2
      August 7, 2024

      Hildebrand are very good - they would check against your meter details and pre-pair the unit if compatible 

       

      The electric meter is SMETS1 anyway not sure about the Gas not checked yet but will have a look. Do i buy the Glow IHD myself or do i ask Ovo to send me the unit?

       

      Regards

       

      Jack

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      August 7, 2024

      Hildebrand are very good - they would check against your meter details and pre-pair the unit if compatible 

       

      The electric meter is SMETS1 anyway not sure about the Gas not checked yet but will have a look. Do i buy the Glow IHD myself or do i ask Ovo to send me the unit?

       

      Regards

       

      Jack

      It’s not a free issue item unfortunately so it would be your own purchase which is why checking compatibility is important.

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        J
        Rank 2
        jbamford92Author
        Rank 2
        August 7, 2024

        Hildebrand are very good - they would check against your meter details and pre-pair the unit if compatible 

         

        The electric meter is SMETS1 anyway not sure about the Gas not checked yet but will have a look. Do i buy the Glow IHD myself or do i ask Ovo to send me the unit?

         

        Regards

         

        Jack

        It’s not a free issue item unfortunately so it would be your own purchase which is why checking compatibility is important.

         

        Yeah, I get what you mean, I don’t mind buying something as long as OVO will approve or configuration something and getting into a spot of bother, but the old IHS doesn’t really give me much in the terms of usage. I can remember when I first signed up for OVO years ago it use to be in the OVO app then they changed me to Boost which is more than just a Top up App so those features went. If i can find a way and a legit way to implement it into HA app then that would be great.

         

        Thanks for replying

         

        Regards

         

        Jack

        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        August 7, 2024

        If you want a no cost option, there are various third party feeds which might work - there are data download options but I’m not sure how you would integrate these. 
        Hugo, Bright, Loop etc

        The Hildebrand Glow and other third party feeds are independent of the supplier so wouldn’t need any work or approval from OVO

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
          Blastoise186
          Super User
          Blastoise186Super User
          Super User
          August 7, 2024

          Just gonna swing by to also clear up one other thing.

          The Optical Port is indeed for Engineering Use only. To further enforce that, it’s completely disabled and blocked while the Meter is in the field and can’t be used at all. Please don’t try to do so as that may trigger Tamper Detected Alerts to be sent back to OVO - and these are always investigated.

          Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
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          OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

          OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

          OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd