19/04/2010 by David Slade.

Opportunities and barriers

Smart meters
By creating a potential two-way communication path between consumers and utilities, smart meters provides a cornerstone for future smart grid development. To leverage the potential of smart meters, additional steps are needed. The current approach of setting the minimum functionality of meters through regulation is cumbersome in light of the rapid evolution of smart meter technology. If this approach is retained, however, the minimum functionality should be expanded to include two-way communications, and the ability to detect outages and transmit this information back to distributors (known as “last gasp” functionality).

Two-way communications will allow utilities and other service providers to easily provide price information and, if critical peak pricing is implemented, to notify consumers of critical peak pricing events. “Last gasp” functionality will allow smart meters to help pinpoint outage locations and improve service restoration by ensuring that no consumers are missed because of a secondary outage condition when service is restored to an area. Utilities should continue to be able to seek cost recovery for additional functionality that benefts customers in applications before the OEB.The consumption and price data or other signals provided through smart meters can provide important information for home energy management networks. Customers or their authorized service providers

should be able to access this information from the consumer’s smart meter for use by home energy management systems. More work should be done to extend the benefts of smart meters to those customers who live in multi-unit buildings that are bulk metered. In this arrangement, building residents do not pay for their own usage directly, but instead the electricity costs for the building as a whole are paid by all occupants through rental rates or common area charges. Under current regulations, smart sub-meters may be voluntarily installed in condominiums at the discretion of the individual condominium board or the condominium developer for new buildings. Smart sub-metering activities in condominiums are overseen by the OEB, who in consultation with stakeholders, has developed a Smart Sub-Metering Code to ensure the protection of these consumers. The regulations dealing with condominium corporations are an important frst step in the rollout of smart sub-meters in the multi-unit residential sector and further regulations should be considered for multi-unit rental buildings.

While smart sub-meters may not be appropriate for some multi-unit buildings because of centralized provision of heating and cooling or wiring arrangements, additional work is necessary to promote installation of smart meters whereever they can provide residents with meaningful ability to control their electricity use. Smart sub-metering will help empower Ontarians with the tools to control their energy use so that they are able to become full participants in the culture of conservation.

Posted in Gas, Gas meters, smart meters | No Comments »

05/04/2010 by David Slade.

Take out a British Gas Business energy contract with a Smart Meter package and get automatic monitoring and targeting (aM&T) free.

aM&T is a service that collates your company’s energy into a single, clearly presented system.

From British Gas Web Site:

Unless you can quantify your energy consumption, you can’t manage it effectively. Our exclusive Meter and Monitor package gives you the tool-kit to take care of your energy more effectively, with minimum effort.

Switch to Smart Metering and get aM&T for free

Manage your energy more effectively with British Gas Business

or call 0845 077 2210

Our Meter and Monitor package combines all the benefits of Smart Metering - such as accurate bills and aM&T technology . with an energy contract provided by the leading supplier of business energy in the UK.

Not only is it convenient - we’ll project-manage the switch of any remaining standard meters to Smart meters . it also gives you the confidence that comes with dealing with established experts who understand your business.

Reasons to speak to British Gas Business about Meter and Monitor

• Free Reporting aM&T package
• An end to estimated bills^*
• Increased energy efficiency »
• Monitor, report and analyse electricity and gas consumption across your portfolio online
• Rank best and worst performing sites by consumption or CO2 emissions
• Use a quick and easy reporting system which shows consumption in simple graphs and tables

Switch to Smart Metering and get free aM&T

Get aM&T for free and manage your energy effectively



or call 0845 077 2210

* If there are problems with the technology network we may occasionally need to send an estimated bill.

Posted in Gas smart metering, Gas meters, British Gas, Automatic monitoring and targeting (aM&T) | No Comments »

05/04/2010 by David Slade.

There are over 18 Energy companies supplying the UK.

Gas supplies are similar to electrical regulated market, although not so complex!

Gas distribution:

Gas distribution is the process whereby gas is taken from the high pressure transmission system and distributed through low pressure networks of pipes to industrial complexes, offices and homes.

There are eight gas distribution networks (GDNs), which each cover a separate geographical region of Britain. In addition there are a number of smaller networks owned and operated by Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs) - most but not all of these networks have been built to serve new housing.

Existing gas distribution networks are monopolies. GDNs and IGTs are regulated by Ofgem to protect consumers from potential abuse of monopoly power.

In order to be able to distribute gas on the distribution systems, a GDN and IGT must hold a licence. The licences contain conditions which among other things limit the amount of revenue which these companies can recover from their customers.

The gas distribution sector has recently undergone a major change. On 1 June 2005 National Grid Gas plc sold four of the eight GDNs to Scotia Gas Networks (which owns Southern Gas Network and Scotland Gas Network), Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities.

At its simplest National Grid, Scotia Gas Networks, Gas Transporters (IGTs) are the companies that pipes gas on behalf of the UK’s gas suppliers.

Gas suppliers

Gas suppliers providing the gas in the UK.

Summary for the customer:

• Gas is metered and you pay only for the units you use.

• Gas rates differ across the different providers.

• You can switch your Gas supplier at any time if you wish and lots of competition means switching could mean savings for you.

To find out more information about your Gas company or any of the other companies in the UK, click on a logo below.

Posted in Scotia Gas Networks, Gas suppliers, Gas Transporters (IGTs), gas distribution networks (GDNs), Gas, gas distribution Network, Gas meters | No Comments »

05/04/2010 by David Slade.

Types of Meter

There are two types of meter in common use in households.

Credit meters

The majority of customers have a credit meter which records the amount of gas you use. Gas consumption is measured in units, i.e. hundreds of cubic feet for imperial meters. These gas units need to be multiplied by approximately 31.3 to convert from the units used according to the meter or bill into kilowatt-hours. Exact conversion figures from gas units to kilowatt hours for imperial meters are as follows:

• Multiply your units used by 2.83 to give you the number of cubic metres of gas used. (If you have a newer metric meter measuring gas in cubic metres you do not need to do this).
• Multiply by the temperature and pressure figure (1.02264).
• Multiply by colorific value (39.25)
• Divide by 3.6 to get the number of kilowatt hours (kWh)

You should find all these figures laid out on your gas bill.

With a credit meter you will receive a quarterly bill and someone will come and read your meter every six months. Estimated bills will be send out when there has not been a reading and you can call and give your actual reading for a more accurate bill.

When giving a meter reading, you may need your MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number. This is the unique identifying number for your gas meter. It is a ten digit number and can be found on your gas bill.

It is sometimes referred to as a ‘M’ number.

Prepayment meters

With this type of meter, you pay for your gas before you use it. Coinless prepayment (’smartcard’) meters have replaced token, key and coin meters.You charge your card with a certain amount of credit and the meter records the amount of gas you have used.

Your gas supplier can tell you where you can get you card or key charged.

Posted in Gas meters, MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number | No Comments »