Does OVO have plans to offer a 3 Phase smart meter for supplies larger than "100A per phase” connections (CT-type meters), and “vector sum” compliant?

Heya @mks56 !

I don’t know if that’s possible just yet I’m afraid. Most of the trials of this type which OVO does tend to be for Single-Rate tariffs during the trial period. However, this particular one will likely become available to Dual-Rate or Multi-Rate members later on, so I’d definitely recommend keeping an eye out. You might want to send Jess a message anyway to register your interest. :)

As this issue is related to the Billing System software, I would imagine the logical next step would be to offer the full variable Time Of Use tariff. A halfway stage of supporting dual-rate (Economy-7) would probably be not much less work.

Hi all, just checking in again. Any news on 3 phase, SMETS2 economy 7 meters?

Thanks

Hi there @mks56 !

Good to see you again. :)

Did you previously let @Tim_OVO and @Jess_OVO know you were interested in this one? If not, you might want to chat with them to see if the offer is still open. You might get lucky! That offer was for Single-Rate only, but it may still be worth asking for more info.

As far as I’m aware, it’s quite possible that Three-Phase S2 Smart Meters will be a thing eventually and Economy 7 support will be possible as well at some point in the future. I’ve asked for more advice on this one and we’ll keep you posted.

Hi @mks56 and thanks for chasing this one up.

Whilst we are starting to install some 3 Phase smart meters in selected trial sites, we've still got some testing and behind-the scenes work to do in the hope that we'll be able to offer them more widely at some point next year.

Have sent you a PM with some more details so check it out. 

Hi OVO folks

Just revisiting this topic, after a lengthy absence, to check on your progress with 3-phase SMETS2 meter capability?

Look forward to any updates you may have.

Thanks in advance.

S

Hiya @SeanS !

Welcome back by the way. 

I don’t think you’ve met me before, but my name’s Blastoise186 and I’m one of the forum volunteers who joined while you were away. A lot has happened in that time after all!

I do also have some good news actually. OVO has started testing 3-Phase S2 in a few sites so far and I think there’s plans to start rolling out more over the coming months. I’ll see if @Tim_OVO or @Jess_OVO (a new mod by the way!) have any further updates from the teams. But as far as I know, OVO has been looking for people interested in testing these out, so if you have a chat with Tim or Jess, you might get lucky.

I think OVO has gone with the Aclara SGM1430 Series as well, which is great because the entire SGM1400 Series is pretty much rock solid and the SGM1430 sub-series are basically identical to the others in the series, except for having 3-Phase support as well.

Either way, I can definitely say with pretty high confidence that they’re on the way and coming soon to an OVO member near you! 

Thanks for the update @Blastoise186 I will reach out to Jess or Tim in respect of participating in a trial as I have a property with a connection that would be compatible with the Aclara S2 polyphase meter. The service cutout there is 3-phase with 100A fuses and uses direct current style metering.

At another larger connection, unfortunately I think that will need to remain as a proprietary AMR meter. The 3-phase service cutout on this is 200A per phase and presently uses a CT (current transformer) type meter. I don’t there is any smart meter manufacturer (at present) that make a SMETS2 compatible polyphase meter that utilises CT style metering connection to the service cutout. I believe the govt have said such larger connections (which are primarily non-domestic to be fair) shall remain as proprietary AMR for ‘smart metering’ purposes.

No worries!

I’m afraid you’ll probably struggle with that 200A supply. I don’t think even Aclara has anything under their residential products that can handle that much power. Maybe they do have something in the business range, but I can’t think of anything that would be appropriate for the use case.

This forum has actually grown a lot in recent months, and there’s a possible chance someone else here might know a bit more about this sort of thing than I do. It might take him a while to respond, but I can try to ask @Lukepeniket_OVO if he knows anything about upgrading a 200A supply.

Good evening @SeanS and @Blastoise186, hope your both well tonight! I would say your right SeanS on your larger side you would be looking at keeping the AMR for the foreseeable and if the government currently has no plans I can't see much changing at all.

That being said the energy market in the UK has had an unprecedented year and has taken a bit of a battering so you can never know what can be around the corner!