Thread: View smartmeter data - electricity consumption

Bill, I am not sure how you want to access the data, online?
What you can do is read the meter directly and keep a track of consumption that way.
Alex.

Some suppliers (AGL for example) have a website where you can view your smart data.
Or are you talking about getting at the data directly from the meter?

We are with AGL, we have solar on the roof, we have (limited) access to our metering.

I don't believe it is possible at this stage to monitor in real time your metering, it may in the future, but then there may be caveats attached. Essentially I can view my usage on an hourly basis a day behind. Whether that be power consumed or power exported. Currently we have been monitoring our solar system daily since it was installed last July, both the online version and the direct meter reading, they do concur with each other.

If for example this evening, say an hour after sunset, I take a look online, I can see actual data on the AGL site for yesterday, their timeline by the way is from 0000hrs through to 2400hrs. I can if I wish, click onto an updated power chart and it will show to approximately 1½ hours before the time I've clicked. This data does give power import and export figures, but it is unverified as the 24 hour day is not complete and verified.

Bit of a mixed bag, but it is possible to monitor accurately via remote means from anywhere in the world your solar input, plus your import and/or export of power from your electrical power retailer. Fiddly to do so, but can be done.

Mick.

Thanks for replies,

Have navigated the phone menus and web sites and spoken/emailed to relevant people

SP Ausnet have told me that in my area the full capability of the smart meters has not been implemented and they are unable to tell me when that will occur. Initial target date was end 2013 but has been blown out.

Where we live, meters are still read by a human, visiting the house once every 3 months and daily or hourly data is not available.

I believe that when the meters are activated they will measure useage in half hour lots and that data is sent back to a database via a radio or phone link, and that the data will be available for inspection or download from a website.

Half hourly data would help me to better understand my useage and how I might better manage my useage. ie

get the data for a typical 8 hour night = fridge and freezer and water heater = "baseline useage"

see the effect of 2 hours in shed with lots of lathe and dust extractor use

see the effect of us leaving the house empty for 2 days when we flit due to fire risk

etc .............

I could get off my backside and read the meter and write down the numbers - and will do that - was simply attracted to using the new gadget.


Bill

I currently have an issue with Energy Aus. where I am not getting any Solar credits,this has been going on for some months and is now in the hands of the ombudsman.
I could read my meter up to this issue and the readings have been on line with my accounts.
I have had accounts sent out that show useage and NO meter readigs,which don't relate to my past history,I have refused to pay these.
The meter is not hard to read and understand,if you go online with your meter type there are instructions on how to read it,reading online is another matter as the whole system is not yet operating fully,I am told that this is to be done by June this year.
In my attempts to get my issues fixed I have spoken to many people,retailers and distributors,some things have come to light which will cause many of us concern.
I was told that my meter will be zeroed each time it is read--how will we be able to check that our accounts are correct?
Although it has been zeroed the readings are kept in the meter but not displayed.
If this is true that will mean another issue to take to the ombudsman.
The meter is read either remotely or by a visit to each meter,these reading record usage at 30 minute interals and are put onto a national data base,which thankfully the ombudsman has access to.
The company that installed the Solar system also supplied a program for my PC which after entering all the meter readings tells me what I have exported back to the grid after my useage (x that by my feed in rate ie. 60 or 66 cents kH )
Keep your records in case you get an issue like my.
PS I am one of about 80,000 (reported in the Herald Sun recently) people that have a problem with Energy Australia

This seems like an interesting gadget

My Smart Meter - Watts Clever Energy Monitor - EW4500 - My Smart Meter

What do other people use ?

Bill

Being a geek at heart, I'm going for the DIY option:

Home | OpenEnergyMonitor

WHat's stopped me up to now is getting some confirmation from the local energy authority (Aurora) that their meter reader wont report the existance of the sensors as an illegal installation and have it ripped out.

Then there's the cost of an electrician to install the sensors, even though there is no electrical contact involved. I believe that this is the same issue for all smart monitoring solutions.

I've used one of these to monitor the power in and out (a clamp for the power in and another for the power from the solar)

Current Cost EnviR Energy Monitor | SmartNowSmartNow

There was an initial cost to get an electrician to setup the clamps - about $100. It took longer to explain what needed doing than for him to do the actual job. The clamp type monitoring is all much the same - not as accurate as the meter itself but near enough to identify what's using power and when (and make some changes if necessary)

The result is here (solar is down at the moment - inverter being fixed)

Coburg, Melbourne Weather, house, solar power, water, environment

I've installed one of these at a site:
https://shop.smartenergygroups.com/

Out of the box the unit has 8 channels for current sensors, and the channels can be grouped into both 3-phase and single phase. This allows you to see the power draw from each circuit. (You can also add an 8 channel expansion board.)

If the current sensors are installed downstream of the meter, it's none of the energy retailers business. A sparky can advise on that issue.

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Being a geek at heart, I'm going for the DIY option:

Home | OpenEnergyMonitor

WHat's stopped me up to now is getting some confirmation from the local energy authority (Aurora) that their meter reader wont report the existance of the sensors as an illegal installation and have it ripped out.

Then there's the cost of an electrician to install the sensors, even though there is no electrical contact involved. I believe that this is the same issue for all smart monitoring solutions.

"Being a geek at heart", why would you use an electrician to install a clamp on a power line?

So long as you know what lines to monitor then there is nothing that I am aware of that stops you doing what you want to do. Otherwise, it would be illegal to even put an ohmeter in an outlet.