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jbamford92
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August 7, 2024
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Home Assistant Implementation

  • August 7, 2024
  • 20 replies
  • 1067 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 

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J
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jbamford92Author
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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.


 

Thanks for the reply, yeah that is one of things I was worried about, not going to do anything unless I have permission as it’s property of the Company.

 

I will be purchasing the Hildebrand Glow IHD then use MQTT method with implementing into Home Assistant. Think that is the safest thing to go.

 

Regards

 

Jack

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    August 7, 2024


    …

    I will be purchasing the Hildebrand Glow IHD then use MQTT method with implementing into Home Assistant. Think that is the safest thing to go.

     

    As long as they match and are compatible with your meters, make sure to ask them to enable MQTT as well. 

    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


    …

    I will be purchasing the Hildebrand Glow IHD then use MQTT method with implementing into Home Assistant. Think that is the safest thing to go.

     

    As long as they match and are compatible with your meters, make sure to ask them to enable MQTT as well. 

     

    From what I have been reading on the Hiidebrand Glow IHD, you have a option on the monitor to configure MQTT, they have also released a version of the Firmware that doesn’t require there Cloud Solution but on Premise solution, or do you mean I have to ask OVO to enable MQTT ?

     

    Regards

     

    Jack

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      August 7, 2024

      Nope - simply ask Hildebrand to enable Local MQTT if you want it to work with Home Assistant. :)

      You can enable Cloud MQTT if you want, but for HA, Local is fine.

      IIRC as long as you’re not messing with OVO’s stuff or interfering with the WAN/HAN, OVO has no problem with you doing this. The only caveat is that OVO can’t help you if it breaks, but I think you probably already knew that.

      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!
      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      August 7, 2024


      …

      I will be purchasing the Hildebrand Glow IHD then use MQTT method with implementing into Home Assistant. Think that is the safest thing to go.

       

      As long as they match and are compatible with your meters, make sure to ask them to enable MQTT as well. 

       

      From what I have been reading on the Hiidebrand Glow IHD, you have a option on the monitor to configure MQTT, they have also released a version of the Firmware that doesn’t require there Cloud Solution but on Premise solution, or do you mean I have to ask OVO to enable MQTT ?

       

      Regards

       

      Jack

      They may have updated the firmware but when I got mine, I had to ask for it to be implemented 

      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

      Nope - simply ask Hildebrand to enable Local MQTT if you want it to work with Home Assistant. :)

      You can enable Cloud MQTT if you want, but for HA, Local is fine.

       

      Where on the website do you request this ? It doesn’t give me any options.

       

      Regards

       

      Jack

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      August 7, 2024

      Try support@glowmarkt.com as per https://shop.glowmarkt.com/pages/customer-service

      They’re REALLY good at responding!

      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!
        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        August 7, 2024

        Nope - simply ask Hildebrand to enable Local MQTT if you want it to work with Home Assistant. :)

        You can enable Cloud MQTT if you want, but for HA, Local is fine.

         

        Where on the website do you request this ? It doesn’t give me any options.

         

        Regards

         

        Jack

        It looks like it’s a general option now. 

         

        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

          Nope - simply ask Hildebrand to enable Local MQTT if you want it to work with Home Assistant. :)

          You can enable Cloud MQTT if you want, but for HA, Local is fine.

           

          Where on the website do you request this ? It doesn’t give me any options.

           

          Regards

           

          Jack

          It looks like it’s a general option now. 

           

           

          I have contacted them, I will report back when I get a reply from them.

           

          Regards

           

          Jack.

           

          J
          Rank 2
          jbamford92Author
          Rank 2
          August 8, 2024

          Good evening,

           

          I’ve had a reply from Hildebrand and I thought I’d post this as maybe other people are interested in implementing OVO Smart Meters into Home assistant. I will be purchasing but Im thinking of going with the non display and just connect it via Ethernet then have Home assistant handle it all. 
           

          Here is the reply I’ve had,

           

          Hello Jack,

          Thank you for your mail and for your interest in our products and services. You will need our CAD for MQTT as it is meant to be used. If you sign up for Bright, we can determine your meters' compatibility with that device. Here are the links to download:

          Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.hildebrand.brightionic

          iOs: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bright/id1369989022?ls=1&mt=8

          If you don't want to use an app, you can also register your meters using our Glowmarkt site: https://glowmarkt.com/register

          We are currently running a waiting list for our CAD Without Display, however the list is quite long and our Display / CAD will certainly be a quicker option. Both support MQTT, and the only difference is the lack of a screen and ability to connect via Ethernet on the CAD Without Display. 

          Please let me know if you have any further questions or if you'd like me to expand on any of the above.

          Kind regards,
          Amity Wilson


           

          Regards

           

          Jack. 

            Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

            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