Public Release: 18-Sep-2017
From Eurekalert
University of Sussex
IMAGE: Smart meter campaign poster in London Underground. view more
Credit: Image by Benjamin Sovacool
Lack of consumer engagement, insufficient information, and inadequate attention to vulnerability has slowed down the UK rollout of energy smart meters, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Sussex.
The £11 billion smart meter programme, which is supported by a £100-million marketing campaign, has not met its targets due to consumer apathy and confusion, especially in the case of vulnerable people, say the researchers.
The UK government planned to install smart meters in every home by 2020 to reduce national household energy consumption by 5-15%, and thereby help meet the UK’s climate change targets. Smart meters are digital gas and electricity meters that connect households to suppliers and feature a home display that aims to help people better understand their energy use. The programme, officially called Smart Meter Implementation Programme (SMIP) is the largest government-run information technology project in history. Yet, a year in, energy providers had only managed to install the meters in seven percent of homes. To hit the target by 2020, suppliers would need to install 40,000 smart meters per day for the duration of the programme.
Professor Benjamin Sovacool, lead author of the study and director of the Sussex Energy Group, pointed out:
‘We have recently seen how the government had to backtrack on its ambitions to make installation in every home obligatory; they are basically admitting a degree of failure. Consumer confusion and even resistance to the programme exist, which is a clear sign that they need to improve consumer engagement and the provision of information about the benefits of the technology. This is especially true when it comes to vulnerable classes of people, such as the elderly and those less educated’.
The paper, published in Energy Policy, argues that discussions around technical glitches have partially obscured societal issues that need to be addressed for a more successful campaign. The researchers looked at two primary sources of data, a systemic review of the academic literature on smart meters as well as participant observation of seven major events on the SMIP during 2015-2016.
Dr Kirsten Jenkins, Research Fellow in Energy Justice and Transitions at the University of Sussex, adds that another benefit to the study is that it helps demystify the smart meter programme. As she clarifies:
‘I come at this paper both as a researcher and as a potential user of a smart meter in my own home, and one that despite initially being told I could upgrade now, was later informed there was no availability in my area. For many the SMIP has remained something of a mystery. Our study makes an important step towards revealing its dynamics and highlighting the necessity of not only technological advancement, but thoroughly considered social integration that is conscious of both new and old social vulnerabilities.’
The new technology is not only supposed to increase awareness around household energy needs, but also make households more energy efficient and reduce energy bills. However, the paper argues that rather than engaging consumers about the potential benefits, the technology has only generated ‘confusion and resistance’ in many households. There is little awareness of the benefits or understanding of how the technology works even in those households where the technology has been installed.
Dr Paula Kivimaa, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sussex, emphasizes that the actions of users and consumers could greatly compromise the success of the programme. As she states:
‘Given the removal of several important policy instruments targeting energy efficiency and demand reduction in buildings in 2015, the SMIP has a crucial role in advancing these policy targets. However, the failure to engage consumers effectively puts the success of this programme at risk, and, thus requires speedy and effective action on behalf of those in charge of its implementation.’
Dr Sabine Hielscher, a Research Fellow at Sussex, comments that the ‘high expected benefits associated with the rollout of smart meters have been kept alive and their achievements have stayed optimistic within the UK government over the last decade. Although the SMIP has been increasingly scrutinised and uncertainties surrounding expected benefits persisted, it will be interesting to see how the smart meter rollout will unfold over the next few years.’
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The full study is available for free until the end of September at https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1VWWr14YGgTtDm.
Citation: Sovacool, BK, P Kivimaa, S Hielscher, and K Jenkins. “Vulnerability and resistance in the United Kingdom’s smart meter transition,” Energy Policy 109 (October, 2017), pp. 767-781.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Here, near Portland, Oregon, there was no choice. Portland General Electric sent a note telling people what day to expect a short interruption in service, and the meter was swapped out.
We were supposed to be able to track our usage online, going to the PGE website to see hourly use. It worked for a while, but doesn’t seem to work at all now.
The biggest differences were the mass firing of meter readers, and, given the ease of service disconnection (click of a mouse button), heavy handed threats of disconnection if your payment is even a few days late rather than a polite reminder that payment is overdue.
Mostly, it’s just threats, there are laws about the processes that have to be followed to disconnect supply. I can imagine that lacking these, they would be more than happy to disconnect, since reconnection carries a hefty reconnection fee, even though it only a mouse click … oh, and of course a “security deposit” which, of course, you lose if you are late in payment again.
Customer advantages? Non to negative.
Supplier advantages? Staff reductions, ease of disconnection, ease of connection for new accounts.
Other factors aside, the cost of this at £11bn is simply crazy. EDF’s massively overpriced Hinkley C proposal is scarcely more, and it’s been said that a thorium test reactor could be built for considerably less.
Somehow, the thorium reactor sounds more like a worthwhile use for the money. A lot, more worthwhile.
A (now very) long time ago, I was talking to a fairly senior management person working at the CEGB in England (if you remember what that was, you may be as old as me). I asked why they were still using the old mechanical meters rather than moving to electronic meters.
His response was illuminating (at least to me, at the time).
He basically said: “Make me a meter that costs less than five pounds to make, runs for 50 years with no maintenance, that we can then take, blow the dust out, and re-install to run for another 50, and we can talk.”
I never forgot that conversation. Of course, there are now other advantages to non mechanical meters, advantages for he company, but probably not he consumer.
I worked for the CEGB when I left school at 16. I was in the computer dept in the Midlands Region and was involved in the installation of computers in the power stations – the big, reliable ones that produced cheap electricity 24-7. The good old days eh.
A letter from my UK electricity supplier stated if I wanted to stay on a cheaper tariff I would have to gave a smart meter fitted. Reluctantly, I arranged the appointment but when the engineer arrived he said my phone signal wasn’t strong enough so I would have to have a new ‘ordinary’ meter. Funny how the letter didn’t mention this option.
I also sent the letter to the Advertising Standards Agency as it said the meter would be ‘fitted free of charge’ – yeah right… of course it is.
Quick question for the Brits. Does any energy supplier (actually energy re-seller, but they never call themselves that) propose to use Smart Meters to bill the customer for the customer’s actual usage ? I havn’t found any.
The propaganda wants you to believe that that’s exactly what they do, but notice I said “bill the customer” meaning send you a bill (which if it’s truly what you’ve consumed, I’d say is fair enough).
In GB, all too many consumers are suckered into “Direct Debits”, more fool them IMHO. I may need to explain to American friends that this is an astonishing device whereby you give license to the utility company to dip into your bank account for any amount of money that it pleases, whenever it pleases. Yes, really. All control gone: and if the meter is wrong, your only effective recourse will be to withhold payment; too late if they’ve already taken the cash, and good luck with your complaint. They want me to do this with a UK utility company (for pity’s sake) with their legendary “customer service” ?
So I don’t mean using Smart Meters to DD your account, I mean using Smart Meters to send the customer accurate bills. The latter I could be persuaded by, the former, never. Entering meter readings online isn’t such a hardship that a hugely expensive meter conversion is needed to save the trouble. There must be some other reason, and usually the answer is “follow the money”. What the energy re-sellers really want is secure cash flow i.e. the DD payment mode. My dark suspicion is that smart meters are a front for compulsory DD’s – because with smart meters, there can’t ever possibly be a mistake, can there ?
In the UK we are constantly lectured that not enough people are shopping around for the cheapest energy deals, ah but if you want to go to a new supplier you will almost certainly find that direct debit is the only thing they will accept. No thanks I will stick with my quarterly paper bill and pay in good old fashioned cash !
“Old Englander September 20, 2017 at 9:28 am”
Unless things have changed in the UK since I lived and paid bills there, a DD is one payment method, the preferred method of course. However, any “provider” that you pay via DD is obliged to inform you of any rate changes, and you can challenge that. You won’t win of course. In the 1990’s, when the council tax (CT) was introduced, the council gave you payment options. Cash, direct debit or standing order. DD was the first option of course. I chose standing order (SO). So, my SO for the CT was debited from my account on the due date. Due to the nature of SO (And banks. No excuse for transaction delays these days) it took a few days to process. So the local council sent me letters threatening me with court action, with a possible custodial outcome. I “begged” them to take me to court via letter. They never did. Stand up to these corporate bullies, there *ARE* payment options.
I am on pay as you go electricity and gas meters despite this I still get pestered for meter readings , I don’t see the point as unless I put credit in the meter I get nothing. I have no desire to switch energy providers I put £10.00 a every week into my meters no more if the charges go up I just use less and I wish credit card companies would stop sending me offers because I have no intention of ever applying. I wish that we coal fires again or other controllable forms of heating that don’t have standing charges to pay.
Donald assuming you live in the UK, when was the last time you saw a coalman making deliveries, must be 30 odd years since I last saw one, milkmen too are a vanishing breed.
Smart meters do not save energy – the “honeymoon” effect. After the novelty wears off consumption returns to normal.
Smart meters (in the UK and at present) cease to be smart when the supplier changes. Anti-competitive measure anyone?
The only financial benefit is to smart meter company manufacturers.
They open the gateway for, if not direct demand management, then certainly demand pricing.
Just say NO!
these things, avoid them, do not let them be installed.
You need to see the long con here.
1. You become a commodity to be traded by energy companies.
2. All devices will eventually be communicable with the smart meters reporting how much each devices uses.
3. When or if the UN roll out this climate scam proper, you can bet they will be using the data from these to measure your carbon budget.
4. The levels of pulse radiation from them long term will most likely give you cancer, given a mobile has to be at least 6mm from your body (warnings from FCC) these things emit far more intense signals than mobiles, and many are on the other side of children’s bendroom walls, and there is no scientifically establised safe level of microwaves for children and in stacked housing there might be 8 outside your home.
Unless there are those of you who still believe cell towers dont cause cancer and other illnesses within certain ranges, it’s well established science on microwaves effects on humans, if not cell towers on humans as that research is difficult and often suppressed, ignored, played down.
In Japan, if everyone accepts these things, all of your usage data becomes a commodity, and all your devices will eventually be reporting everything to the meter re usage. Personlly, no thanks
this literally means they can tell when you leave your home when you come home, when you use the internet, when you use anything, how long you use them for. Voyeurism. No frikkin way
turned mine down and kept old style as I don’t want to give anyone the ability to remotely shut my power off.
power is not stable here as it is, screw them.
Smart meters. Forcing families to cook supper and do laundry at 11 PM when the price is cheapest.
And keep their neighbours awake if they live in flats / appartments, there’s an old boy in my block who wakes people at 4 in the morning when the spin cycle on his washing machine starts, he’s pretty hard of hearings so sleeps soundly.
Where I live we have an easy toll free phone number that we can call in with our meter readings. Very easy and takes about 2 minutes a month to read the meter and call in.
At “more than £200 per household” and some of that spent not on the meter but an a marketing campaign “with £100 million committed over a five-year duration of the program, convincing Barnett (2015: 2) to estimate that it is the biggest advertising campaign in the world,” what an utter waste. The meters, campaign and sell, cost the British more than any energy savings.
It is a net loss for the British who pay for it, just another example of how worrying about nonexistent AGW helps destroy an economy.
What is the CO2 footprint of manufacturing, advertising, and installing a meter?
Reminds me of electric vehicles where the CO2 footprint of manufacturing the batteries plus upstream fossil fuels emissions from power plants making electricity are more than alternative petrol powered cars.
Omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation spring to mind anyone ?
It is a trick pure and simple and I am sick and tired of being pestered about it, three letters, two callers at the door and a phone message. At my last check there is no legal obligation to accept a smart meter. They insult customers intelligence with their bells and whistles gadget, when most reasonably educated 14 year old should be able to work out their electricity usage. Every piece of equipment has a label stating its consumption and failing that a simple plug in meter is available for testing individual items, have owned one for years.
“Helps people to track their energy usage”, ask any OAP living on a basic state pension, we know how to scrimp on energy use, we’re the ones who wear outdoor clothing indoors during the winter.
Had a long discussion with one of the engineers who called during which I put it to him that the primary (unstated) reason for pushing smart meters was so that they could cut people off during periods of peak demand due to the fact that they’ve shut so many coal fired power stations down, and the windmills etc., are useless. His reply was that they could cut people off now with the present set up. I replied yes you can knock a breaker out in a sub station and cut a whole area off and then you will have several thousand people all together in one mob making angry complaints, company execs and politicians don’t like that. But with smart meters they can cut off one person here and one person there, individuals over a wide area and their complaints will be voices in the wilderness. He left.
I have one. But that’s because I’m frugal, not hysterical over climate change. I have made savings because readings are sent off to my supplier every day. When it was an “estimated” reading, they were always over-estimating and trying to squeeze more money out of me. This has stopped that. I get daily emails of my usage, so when they do the inevitable of trying to rinse me for more money, I have a paper trail and they get told where to go and refund me.
I can see why people resist. Why the hell should anyone, who is paying through the nose for a basic human need, be told how much they should be spend?!