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Shads_OVO
Retired Moderator
Shads_OVO
Retired Moderator
September 26, 2024
News

Upcoming Smart Meter Comms Hub Pilot

  • September 26, 2024
  • 30 replies
  • 1126 views
Upcoming Smart Meter Comms Hub Pilot

Updated on 22/01/25 by Abby_OVO

 

We’re currently looking for OVO customers who’d be interested in taking part in a Trust Centre Swap Out (TCSO) trial. The trial will hopefully allow us to swap your standard smart meter comms hubs with a new one without needing to exchange/replace the entire smart metering system within your home.

 

In the future this capability will help us to exchange and replace existing comms hubs with newer dual band and 4g variants to overcome in-home challenges associated with poor or low signal. 

 

By taking part in this trial, you'd help us on our journey to make energy better for people and the planet, by reducing the waste and the time required on site to resolve problems with our smart metering equipment.

 

What is a smart meter comms hub?

 

A comms hub connects smart gas and electric meters to a secure network and creates a HAN (Home Area Network). This allows your smart meters and In-Home Display to connect to each other. 

 

Dual Band comms hubs use multiple frequencies to increase the coverage of smart meters. It can help push the signal further in buildings that may be difficult to reach. This allows us to be able to communicate with your meters better.

 

To be able to take part in this pilot you need:

 

A SMETS2 Electricity meter that is sending remote readings that are being used for billing 

 

What happens on the day?

 

An engineer will arrive at your home and conduct a network signal check. 

 

If the signal check is passed, they’ll exchange the comms hub and wait for the HAN to reconnect. There will be no interruption to your power and we should not be on site for longer than 90 minutes.

 

If the new comms hub fails to reconnect our Engineer will remove and replace the entire smart metering system to ensure that you are left with communicating meters. 

 

This will mean your supply will be interrupted , if you're reliant on any medical equipment, please speak to your engineer before shutting off your power.

 

As this is a trial we do have to let you know that there is a chance that this could happen, but we hope it’s unlikely. This won't impact your energy supply and will be done on the same day.

 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to comment below.

    30 replies

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    September 26, 2024

    Sign me up! Please also provide me with a DBCH upgrade and a suitable DB IHD - I’d love to actually be able to use one! :D

    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!
      Nukecad
      Super User
      NukecadSuper User
      Super User
      September 26, 2024

      I'm up for it too.

      Bearing in mind that I also have an appointment already booked for a new SMETS2 gas meter install on the 18th of November.

      Currently I have a SMETS2 electricity meter and hub but SMETS1 gas meter - because at the time of the Mex the new gas meter could not connect with the hub so the old gas meter was left in place as dumb.

      To me that sounds like the kind of test case for HAN that you may be looking for.

      Edit: unless of course you are looking at larger properties and tower blocks Alt-HAN. In which case my 1-bed ground floor flat is not going to be a good test.

      Edit2- See my post below for more details of what this TCSO trial is actually about

      I said, Hey - Watts going on.
        Firedog
        Super User
        FiredogSuper User
        Super User
        September 26, 2024

        Put me down for a trial, too, please. 

        Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
          M
          Newcomer
          mpashley
          Newcomer
          September 27, 2024

          Please sign me up for the smart meter comms hub pilot

            waltyboy
            Rank 8
            waltyboy
            Rank 8
            September 29, 2024

            I’m also willing to take part…

            Walt. 2013: 3.2kW PV East/West + Fronius IG, >26MWh (of which, to date mid-2025, 20MWh exported). 2023: 2.4kWh LiFePo4 battery. 2024: Tadö wireless smart stat v3; Electriq split unit 2.6kW AAHP (“air conditioner”).
              Shads_OVO
              Retired Moderator
              Shads_OVOAuthor
              Retired Moderator
              September 30, 2024

              Hi everyone,

               

              Thank you for your interest in this pilot. 

               

              I’ll be sending you all private messages shortly to gather some information from you all to pass onto the team that is doing the pilot.

              Weeck14
              Newcomer
              Weeck14
              Newcomer
              October 11, 2024

              Hi,

              I would like to take part. I am due to have my smart meter replaced on the 26th Nov 24.

              Thanks

                Chris_OVO
                Community Manager
                Chris_OVO
                Community Manager
                October 14, 2024

                Hey @Weeck14,

                 

                I sent you a private message to confirm your details 😊

                Renewable energy jokes never get old.
                Nukecad
                Super User
                NukecadSuper User
                Super User
                October 23, 2024

                I have found some more information about this TCSO trial and what it is,

                CONSULTATION ON INTRODUCING AN OBLIGATION FOR TRUST CENTRE SWAP OUT PROVING

                TCSO is a capability native to all ZigBee Smart Energy devices that allows the Trust
                Centre, the Communications Hub in the case of smart metering, to be exchanged
                whilst leaving existing devices operational. TCSO is likely to be a key component of
                the successful transition to 4G Communications Hubs in the Central and South
                Regions.

                Laboratory testing has demonstrated TCSO works but it is not widely used in
                operational settings for the purpose of replacing a Communications Hub. The results
                of this testing have been shared with our Smart Metering Delivery Group where the
                need for further proving to be conducted has been agreed. Large Supplier Parties
                have indicated a willingness to participate to build on the initial laboratory testing and
                expressed support for introducing obligations to continue this work.

                 

                But note also:

                Whilst the initial focus is on gaining information on the TCSO process to support the
                forthcoming rollout of 4G CHs in the Central and South Regions                , we believe that
                general information on the TCSO process can be gained from any SMETS2+ TCSO,
                and therefore propose that TCSOs in the North Region should also be able to count
                towards meeting the obligations

                I said, Hey - Watts going on.
                  R
                  Rank 2
                  Retroanaconda
                  Rank 2
                  October 23, 2024

                  If there is indeed scope for the north region to be included then I would be keen to take part. I am in Scotland and currently have no WAN connection due to poor LRR coverage.

                    Show more replies
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