On Aug 31, 1:19*pm, "Pete C." wrote:
larry/dallas wrote:

the question remains. * Exactly what will replacing millions of
existing meters with "smart meters" due to save energy, enable green
energy, etc?

its all of the above,

it's an ip based device,
-usage can be billed at minute by minute rates
-the meter can disconnect service remotely, non-payment, walking
blackouts etc
-the usage can be viewed realtime by a homeplug based display in the house.
-this display can be programmed to adjust smart thermostats and delay
high use appliances by using x-10 or homeplug modules. (water heater,
laundry, dish washer)
-software for your pc can do the same as the display.

the displays/controllers are available now, for around $200. *some diy's
have demos for the displays and pc software where the meters are now
provisioned.

the utilities now have the means to bill about the same way airlines
price seats. *and best of all, they let you make the choice. *(you
decided to use those 80cent kwhs')

and we get the opportunity to pay an additional $5/mo for the next 11
years to pay for their upgrade. *(there are also substantial stimulus
funds being paid to the same utilities for the same meter... as "smart
grid" funding.)

At least the rest of you will be on par with our Texas highest "power of
choice" electric rates in the US brought to us by Bush and Wood, just
before they packed off to DC some 9 years ago. *beware of politicians
helpin' you out ;-)

The overall idea of "smart grid" makes a lot of sense. Anyone who has an
emergency backup generator for their house that is smaller capacity than
the normal utility service as most are understands load management. Some
of the largest residential electrical loads are also the ones that are
not particularly time critical. Air conditioning and electric based heat
(heat pump or resistive) both are quite flexible in their running time
needs due to the thermal mass of the house. Alternating HVAC run times
with neighbors can make a pretty large difference in peak grid loads.

Again, the current plan, as I understand it, is to replace millions of
conventional meters with "smart" ones. Unless you make other
significant changes to the existing house, that new meter isn't going
to be able to turn off the AC or any other load.




Similar improvments are possible with electric water heating, pool
pumps, and some other items. All of this can reduce the need for grid
upgrades and new power plants, and can provide grid capacity for
charging electric vehicles where viable.