Most ratepayers in the US have a smart meter generating real-time data about their power usage, which could theoretically be used to reduce consumption and save money, but in most cases, utilities have locked up the information in inaccessible formats. Michael Murray, leader of business coalition Mission:data, describes the potential value of smart meter data and the group’s ongoing efforts to pry it from utilities.
Interesting episode which has me wishing I was still living on US mainland.
Funny story... Just before listening to this episode, the "resident manager" (in quotes b/c... terms are debatable) was doing his monthly thing for a property I'm on the HOA board for: reading meters.
It's a funny thing, too. 3 buildings, 50 units per & we- the HOA, not HECO- own the meters. In my brief encounter, I mentioned how it would be nice if we could upgrade our meters to something "smarter"- or, at least, more intelligent- so he wouldn't have to read them- manually- at least once a month. Another funny story? In order to do, really, anything- take advantage of community solar or wind, add chargers for EVs or add anything- literally anything- we'll need to upgrade our meters, which date back to when the property was built (late 70s). Also, in a quirk of construction which I've been told is not uncommon in Hawai'i, the electrical panels for the individual units are located in closests on each floor- not within the units themselves. (Need to flip a breaker? Good luck as access is restricted!)
I've been following Volts for a while now- in addition to other pods (like Energy Transition Show, Energy Gang, Big Switch, Columbia Energy Exchange, Redefining Energy, etc.) and I don't think anyone has touched on a situation quite like what I'm facing. We're perfect for a local build out of renewable resources to reduce our use of the grid, for balcony solar and in-unit battery backup (basically, something like a whole site VPP)- but the capital (and board buy-in) to make that happen? Need to find a leprechaun. (lol) But it seems to me- as a veteran of silicon valley (and active duty), there may be market here if it's big enough (and I suppose it is). (Now that I think of it, there is one NYC-based NPO I know of doing some good work in this space- but that's 5,000 miles and a whole spectrum of attitudes away.)
All this to say, yes- the energy transition may actually be happening, but not where I live... (at least, not yet?)
I'd enjoy your feedback on the use of AMI for billing called dual channel "instantaneous" net billing as compared to traditional monthly net metering. We fought the muni here over a standby service rider fixed monthly fee ($7.28/KW/month), we won, but in the next rate study they came back with the Buy All/Sell All scheme we fought, then as their "compromise" they would maintain monthly net metering for residential, but slapped commercial with 15 minute net billing. There have been no new commercial solar installed since, what I believe is a consequence of discriminatory rate. Vote Solar analyzed and provided testimony in the Vectren case about how bad it was.
"....The measurements of electricity sent to the grid and that of electricity delivered from the grid are kept on separate registers. In this arrangement, there is no real “netting” as required by Indiana law—or as implied by the utilities framing of this dual channel net billing arrangement as “instantaneous netting.” Instead, each monthly bill would include charges for the “inflow” register, multiplying the tracked electricity purchased from the grid at the full retail rate, and credits for the “outflow” register, multiplying the tracked electricity sent to the grid at the lower EDG rate...."
Interesting episode which has me wishing I was still living on US mainland.
Funny story... Just before listening to this episode, the "resident manager" (in quotes b/c... terms are debatable) was doing his monthly thing for a property I'm on the HOA board for: reading meters.
It's a funny thing, too. 3 buildings, 50 units per & we- the HOA, not HECO- own the meters. In my brief encounter, I mentioned how it would be nice if we could upgrade our meters to something "smarter"- or, at least, more intelligent- so he wouldn't have to read them- manually- at least once a month. Another funny story? In order to do, really, anything- take advantage of community solar or wind, add chargers for EVs or add anything- literally anything- we'll need to upgrade our meters, which date back to when the property was built (late 70s). Also, in a quirk of construction which I've been told is not uncommon in Hawai'i, the electrical panels for the individual units are located in closests on each floor- not within the units themselves. (Need to flip a breaker? Good luck as access is restricted!)
I've been following Volts for a while now- in addition to other pods (like Energy Transition Show, Energy Gang, Big Switch, Columbia Energy Exchange, Redefining Energy, etc.) and I don't think anyone has touched on a situation quite like what I'm facing. We're perfect for a local build out of renewable resources to reduce our use of the grid, for balcony solar and in-unit battery backup (basically, something like a whole site VPP)- but the capital (and board buy-in) to make that happen? Need to find a leprechaun. (lol) But it seems to me- as a veteran of silicon valley (and active duty), there may be market here if it's big enough (and I suppose it is). (Now that I think of it, there is one NYC-based NPO I know of doing some good work in this space- but that's 5,000 miles and a whole spectrum of attitudes away.)
All this to say, yes- the energy transition may actually be happening, but not where I live... (at least, not yet?)
Love your broadcasts David.
Recommendation:
Wish it was interactive. Many folks would like to ask your guests a question or two.
I'd enjoy your feedback on the use of AMI for billing called dual channel "instantaneous" net billing as compared to traditional monthly net metering. We fought the muni here over a standby service rider fixed monthly fee ($7.28/KW/month), we won, but in the next rate study they came back with the Buy All/Sell All scheme we fought, then as their "compromise" they would maintain monthly net metering for residential, but slapped commercial with 15 minute net billing. There have been no new commercial solar installed since, what I believe is a consequence of discriminatory rate. Vote Solar analyzed and provided testimony in the Vectren case about how bad it was.
"....The measurements of electricity sent to the grid and that of electricity delivered from the grid are kept on separate registers. In this arrangement, there is no real “netting” as required by Indiana law—or as implied by the utilities framing of this dual channel net billing arrangement as “instantaneous netting.” Instead, each monthly bill would include charges for the “inflow” register, multiplying the tracked electricity purchased from the grid at the full retail rate, and credits for the “outflow” register, multiplying the tracked electricity sent to the grid at the lower EDG rate...."
Sort of along these lines is the problem of why EV-to-home power is not available even though it's been shown in car ads for years.