Fix the issue where a daily meter reading is missing everty quarter

Thanks for the post, @Jeffus. A good place to host discussion on this. 

My understanding is this relates to an issue with a centralized third party that controls the data to and from second generation smart meters, or those smart meters upgraded to act like second generation smart meters. That is the vast majority of smart meters now, with all suppliers. 

The impact is that smart meter readings on that day can struggle to be sent to suppliers and customer approved third parties. The missing data should be sent after a few days ensuring no inaccurate billing.

I’m not sure there’s much OVO can do directly with this, other than fast reactive rebilling based to the actual meter readings that get sent to us a few days late. Is that was this idea is based on? Tagging in @TomThumb on this.

I mainly raised the idea out of curiosity and as it is a topic that comes up quite regularly. Having the discussion in one place might help. 

I am also not sure what can be done. I have learned to live with it. I personally have never worked out the financial impact for me. A couple of personal thoughts. It is not a topic i know much about. 

1. If that specific daily  reading takes a little time every quarter, why not back fill the reading when you receive it? Other missing readings regularly get backfilled. What is so special about not backfilling ths one? 

2. It seems almost automatic, my account has never had a daily reading on that switch over day which was 6 monthly and is now monthly. Is it automatically left off? 

3. It doesn't happen with all suppliers i understand, so perhaps OVO could chat to their contacts in the industry? What approaches do other suppliers take? Are any of these possible with the Kaluza platform? I assume OVO have good contacts in the industry. 

4. It won't be long before a lot of customers are on 30min time of use type  tariff. I don't know what impact this will have as we gradually move away from the daily reading anyway? Will customers run the risk of not seeing their 30min readings on line on the switch over days once a quarter ? 

5. I see there are already reported capacity issues with the smart meter network due to the larger than expected take up of 3rd party apps and work is proposed related to this. Be interesting to see how quickly this progresses else we may see more issues generally if the network can't keep up with demand generally. 

Edit... 

2. It seems almost automatic, my account has never had a daily reading on that switch over day which was 6 monthly and is now quarterly. Is it automatically left off? 

To add my thoughts.

Firstly: Missing meter readings that coincide with a change of tariff: is my concern,  

(the missing daily reading every quarter is rather generic)

A missing meter reading being replaced by an estimated reading is nothing new, 

But when that missing data (meter readings) could potentially result in a small overcharge to the customer base, or a potential windfall of over £500’000 to ovo’s bank balance, it poses a few questions.

As ovo demonstrates it can collect meter readings on any other day, 

what is systematically breaking the process on a change of tariff day? 

If extra comm’s communication is the issue?

Quote “My understanding is this relates to an issue with a centralized third party that controls the data to and from second generation smart meters, or those smart meters upgraded to act like second generation smart meters. That is the vast majority of smart meters now, with all suppliers”

As an incorrect tariff displayed on ihd’s or smart meters is an inconvenience,

billing is processed by ovo with the correct tariff rates & usage (meter readings) so you always get an accurate bill.

But not if ovo aren’t collecting accurate meter readings. 

(is informational data transfer being prioritised over billing data ie: meter readings)

Working off my account,

in April 2022, the new tariff rate for electric increased  by 6.92p per kWh due to the price cap, 

gas had a 3.16p increase,

So my 1 KWh over estimated meter reading for electric actually cost me less than 7 pence.

To add some perspective, what if my 1 kWh reading, 

carried over to my gas supply,

I would be 10.08p over charged,

Or carried over nation wide by ovo,

(conservative) 4 million ovo customer base, +£400’000 windfall for ovo.

 Apologies if my figures are out, but you get the picture,

 Time of Use tariffs (ToU) will require accurate meter readings,

as dose ovo’s power move program,

Yet a simple meter reading seems a step to far if it falls on day that incorporates a tariff change.

Tom…
 

It is interesting that not everyone who accesses smart meters was impacted

It’s a good question, if the meter reading is stored on the meter, why can’t it get sent to OVO retrospectively. Let me ask that question. 

In the meantime, this feature idea is going to be set to ‘cant’ be done’, as it’s not a feature request relating to the online account and a solution is being worked on and is outside of OVO’s direct control. 

@TomThumb @Jeffus and others, can you confirm if your actual meter readings are missing from the 31st March and 1st April? 

Find these here: https://account.ovoenergy.com/meter-readings

Mine are missing on 1st April only

@Tim_OVO My meter readings are somewhat broken, all ok up until 31 March, then nothing until the 11 April (the end of my billing period,  11th of the month) then nothing to date (18 April)

But if the stat’s are to be believed! my account is showing usage data, (actual or estimated usage)??? who knows!

although the data seems to populate a day or 2 later than expected! 

Tom…