Smart meter failed installation from THTC

I suppose that depends on what you mean by change rates. With OVO’s current arrangements,

• The tariff can’t be changed locally. This means that any costs displayed on the meter and on the IHD will only be anything like accurate if the tariff (unit rates and standing charge) loaded at installation remains valid. For anyone on a Standard Variable Tariff, this will fall apart on 1 January.
• The change from one meter register to another - from Rate 1 to Rate 2, for example - happens locally. The times it happens at (the ToU matrix) can’t be changed locally.
• The switched load switches off and on, from peak rate to offpeak rate, and back again according to the local ALCS calendar. The calendar can’t be changed locally. 

So, which of these were you referring to?

Octopus are starting trials with remote operation of the ALCS, so they can power up switched loads at greener times and conversely power them down when demand is high. I suppose the next step is the one many SM-deniers say they fear - increasing the unit price when demand is high, which is of course what their Agile plans do anyway. 

So OVO engineer came today to fit new smart meter. All arranged through the complex meter team.  First appointment before Christmas was cancelled on the morning of the appointment by OVO and they set up new appointment.

He had a look in the outside box then in the inside cupboard where the radio switch box sits beside all the consumer units. Then he says he can’t put the new meter in as it needs a wireless/remote controller to link to the meter as he can’t run a cable under the floor.  He then says but they haven’t invented it yet - WHAT??????  So I ask why my neighbours with the same set us as me  had their meter replaced in October??  He then left saying OVO will be in touch when they have designed the controllers needed.  He also said the deadline has been moved to September.  Surely the industry has known about this issue for years so why are we at this stage with 6 - 9 months to go and they still can’t do it, well at least not to every house in the same street with the same set up??

Hi ​@FClarke ,

I’m not quite sure what the engineer meant by that, so I’ll ask an OVO Engineer who I know well for his thoughts.

Might take a while because he gets busy sometimes, bear with me! While you wait, please post photos of your current setup - this helps us understand what you’ve got now.

Thanks!

I spotted your other comment.

I think you might be talking about the Dual-Mode Comms Hubs but it’s not clear from the OP in this thread. Those units are designed to run Arqiva WAN first via Long-Range Radio, and Cellular based Telefonica/Vodafone WAN as a fallback.

If it is about those, they’re in development and are likely being tested sooner or later. But I’ll ask my engineer friend for his thoughts anyway.

Hey ​@FClarke,

Unfortunately THTC meters/setups can be complicated and challenges during installations have surfaced. Our infrastructures teams are currently working on solutions for those still impacted by needing meter changes. We will have solutions for those affected but right now it’s still something that we’re working on. As ​@Blastoise186 has pointed out, we have similar threads of others who are in the same position as you and once we know more we’ll let you know! 

What I don’t understand is why we are at this point. It was 2011, over 13 years ago, that it was announced the radio signal would be switched off.  It’s not like electric companies didn’t know this was going to happen.  In all the years I’ve lived in the house nobody ever mentioned complex meter setups until the last couple of years.  I had upgraded meters fitted about 5 years ago and was told I couldn’t have a smart meter, so it’s not like the meter setup up wasn’t known about!  The electricity suppliers need to be reassuring people that a solution will be found and not threatening people that their system won’t work!  I have an elderly neighbour whose THTC system failed nearly 2 years ago and it was only in October when they fitted her smart meter (same set up as our house - explain that to me) that her storage heaters started to work again!  Appalling that she had been left with only convector heaters due to a faulty meter. I have other elderly neighbours who are still saying they don’t want these new meters which they can’t read, they need a planned visit to properly explain the situation not threatening letters.  
also if you know all of this, why do I still get texts and emails telling me I need to arrange a smart meter appointment when you can’t do it! It’s a shambles!  I don’t want to move to oil heating but I’m sorely tempted by this fiasco.

I completely understand your frustration. However, problems like yours aren’t just OVO’s fault. You mention new meters being installed 5 years ago - that was long before OVO got involved. I have a sneaking feeling that SSE knew there was a bumpy ride ahead for THTC and other RTS customers, so divested themselves of their retail arm rather than try and tackle the problems they knew would arise. I don’t think OVO had much idea what they were letting themselves in for when they bought SSE.

It’s almost a perfect storm: the government insists on everyone having a smart meter, the BBC runs out of valves for its long-wave transmitters, and DCC can only reach 99.5% of customers in Scotland. OVO’s engineers had to start from scratch to develop a meter that could replace RTS systems, work that was first completed (at least for deployment to start) last summer. 

I’m afraid I don’t understand the difficulty of substituting one smart meter for two existing ones when they’re not adjacent, but we’re hoping a senior OVO meter engineer will be along soon to explain. Configuring the system once the meter is in place can also be a headache, but luckily much of it can be done remotely - so long as the meter can call home.

In any event, you can be sure that OVO’s infrastructure teams are doing everything possible to get all their customers currently relying on RTS sorted out before the June deadline.
  

It does seem that OVO have bought a vipers nest from SSE then.  
I’m still not sure if I agree that their tactics are helpful, they are just scaring older customers and it’s backfiring.

it was suggested to post pictures of the set up so I hope these are helpful.

Meter 706 is anytime, 701 is THTC

Well… Technically OVO inherited a massive nightmare from the 1980’s. When RTS was first developed, I’m pretty sure nobody ever thought that some day it might get terminated - the engineers back then definitely didn’t consider how to handle long-term outages!

Just so you know, we haven’t forgotten about this!

I’m currently talking with one of my contacts backstage. He needs a little time to think about this before providing his thoughts. We’ll let you know!