REVscene Automotive Forum

REVscene Automotive Forum (https://www.revscene.net/forums/)
-   Vancouver Off-Topic / Current Events (https://www.revscene.net/forums/vancouver-off-topic-current-events_50/)
-   -   bc hydro smart meter (https://www.revscene.net/forums/662431-bc-hydro-smart-meter.html)

7seven 02-06-2012 06:57 AM

Seriously? People are up in arms about a smart meter and privacy concerns when they probably don't have any issues with their cellular/cable/internet providers, their many GPS enabled gadgets and services such as Facebook/Twitter having access to even more detailed info and use these services happily :fulloffuck: holy overreaction

As for potentially billing rates higher during peak periods, I have no issues with that. In a way cellular providers kind of already do this in a way with the allotted # of minutes in your plan between 8am-6pm thing and free/no restrictions evenings/weekends thing. As long as they clearly lay out for you the billing rates before hand and it'll help reduce the load demand during peak hours.

Nssan 02-06-2012 07:15 AM

I worked on the project in developing technology for the Smart Meter and Smart Meter Grid in BC. Now, aside from the privacy issue, which is subjective and debatable in so many ways. Instead, for a fact, Smart Meter will save you money in the short/long run compared to the existing system BCHydro have today. The system that is operations currently is forecasting your usage and billing you three months at a time. Then, they will use a credit system to account for your actual usage. With Smart Meter, everything is done in an instant and billed at an actual rate in real-time. Also, you can view your own usages via online or some portal. This method will save hundreds of man-hours and reduce the erroneous accounting that may happen with the old system.

freakshow 02-06-2012 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nssan (Post 7787324)
I worked on the project in developing technology for the Smart Meter and Smart Meter Grid in BC.

What part of the product/project did you work on?

RouRK 02-06-2012 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nssan (Post 7787324)
I worked on the project in developing technology for the Smart Meter and Smart Meter Grid in BC. Now, aside from the privacy issue, which is subjective and debatable in so many ways. Instead, for a fact, Smart Meter will save you money in the short/long run compared to the existing system BCHydro have today. The system that is operations currently is forecasting your usage and billing you three months at a time. Then, they will use a credit system to account for your actual usage. With Smart Meter, everything is done in an instant and billed at an actual rate in real-time. Also, you can view your own usages via online or some portal. This method will save hundreds of man-hours and reduce the erroneous accounting that may happen with the old system.

you didn't tell me where i will save money... you showed where hydro saves a boat load of cash... and when the smart meters are on the peak hour billing how hydro will make a boat load more money.

i use what i use. i am billed for what i use... if i overpay 30 dollars this month and get it back next month, its not a savings. just cause it is instant billing doesn't mean i am saving anything


hydro needs outsiders to do a full audit on the company. they need to look within for money saving before they even think of raising rates.

Great68 02-06-2012 10:46 AM

I don't have a problem with the smart meters, but I'm curious how my landlord is going to deal with peak hour billing.

Right now they have 3 sub meters behind the Hydro meter for each suite and divide up the bill accordingly but there's no way they're going to be able to tell who used their power during "peak" periods.

Manic! 02-06-2012 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great68 (Post 7787454)
I don't have a problem with the smart meters, but I'm curious how my landlord is going to deal with peak hour billing.

Right now they have 3 sub meters behind the Hydro meter for each suite and divide up the bill accordingly but there's no way they're going to be able to tell who used their power during "peak" periods.

Doesn't BC hydro bill you?

azncreationz 02-07-2012 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RouRK (Post 7785572)
that's what i don't get... to you it is OK to be billed more..
i installed a Electric on demand water heater.. i have a family.. i need to use electricity at the peak hours... it is NOT ok for the poorly run company to bill me more.
as the cost of everything goes up and the wages stay the same, how is that fair... i don't get a 16 - 30 % raise over 3 years. The people that work for hydro are over paid and under worked.. if the smart meter wasn't made a big deal of then we would have peak hour billing a lot sooner.. and your bill would be significantly higher. they want all this money for infrastructure..
read this and tell me your still OK with it.. B.C. Hydro deferring billions in debt, watchdog says

Remember this is a company losing money on something that they MAKE and already have their infrastructure in place... how is this possible.

Some good points you raise there. First off, I work for Hydro, and let me tell you, we are not getting any raises (at least the worker bees aren't). Over paid and under worked? Maybe some people, but I can only speak for myself and my dept, we are working our butts off! We are on a hiring freeze, and in fact laying people off due to the Government Review that was put a few months ago. So, people who are laid off, retire, go on long term disability, maternity leave, etc..who do you think gets to do their work? The rest of us there. Yes, there are some contractors we hire, but they cost money..sometimes more money than to do it in-house.
Another fact, the Smart Meter Program was left unmentioned in the Government Review. Also, this was mandated by government back in 2007, why all the commotion now? Because it's actually happening? While I see and hear both sides, I think it's just a small group of people who are opposed to the Smart Meters, but yet very effective and vocal getting their points across.
Yes, Hydro wants money for infrastructure. Do you know how old some of the infracstructure is?!? A lot of it is reaching it's end of life span, and needs to be replaced. There's no debate about that.

Great68 02-07-2012 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azncreationz (Post 7789206)
Yes, Hydro wants money for infrastructure. Do you know how old some of the infracstructure is?!? A lot of it is reaching it's end of life span, and needs to be replaced. There's no debate about that.

I have a buddy that works at GMS and he told me Hydro has been getting screwed by the government for years.

For years insuffucient funding for proper maintenance and expansion has been given to Hydro. The liberals had the idea that independent producers were the way of the future. Now time has come that Hydro needs to put significant money into their system and everybody is shocked that rates have to go up. Also guess what happens when those private companies want to get out of the business/go under/etc..?? Hydro has to pick up control of those projects.

What costs more to run? A thousand tiny run-of-the-river sites or a few massive generating stations?? Gee I wonder.

Soundy 02-07-2012 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azncreationz (Post 7789206)
While I see and hear both sides, I think it's just a small group of people who are opposed to the Smart Meters, but yet very effective and vocal getting their points across.

According the Hydro spokesperson they had on NW last week, the complaints they've actually received amount to about one-half of one percent of their customers.

Death2Theft 02-07-2012 07:55 PM

In California the smart meters now control thermostats so enjoy it tin hat.

RouRK 02-07-2012 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death2Theft (Post 7789344)
In California the smart meters now control thermostats so enjoy it tin hat.

the Thermostats CAN BE controlled by it.. not that it is..

as will a lot of other devices that will have to be compatible

RouRK 02-07-2012 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azncreationz (Post 7789206)
Some good points you raise there. First off, I work for Hydro, and let me tell you, we are not getting any raises (at least the worker bees aren't). Over paid and under worked? Maybe some people, but I can only speak for myself and my dept, we are working our butts off! We are on a hiring freeze, and in fact laying people off due to the Government Review that was put a few months ago. So, people who are laid off, retire, go on long term disability, maternity leave, etc..who do you think gets to do their work? The rest of us there. Yes, there are some contractors we hire, but they cost money..sometimes more money than to do it in-house.
Another fact, the Smart Meter Program was left unmentioned in the Government Review. Also, this was mandated by government back in 2007, why all the commotion now? Because it's actually happening? While I see and hear both sides, I think it's just a small group of people who are opposed to the Smart Meters, but yet very effective and vocal getting their points across.
Yes, Hydro wants money for infrastructure. Do you know how old some of the infracstructure is?!? A lot of it is reaching it's end of life span, and needs to be replaced. There's no debate about that.

I understand your workload is bigger. your wages haven't raised much. But for what you do and for what benefits/pension as a journeymen/long time worker, you are at probably getting paid more then most people in your trade/field and your workload isn't too difficult (being union and such a great company to their employees).
If the government had to step in and audit a company, something is wrong. If hydro needed money for infrastructure for so many years, why was it scamming money by over hiring.. if it needed money so bad.. instead of passing the buck to the consumer, why didn't/doesn't/hasn't hydro looked within for money before any rate hikes.
i also see you haven't touched the Major thing about this thread and the most valid point for not having the meters...

do you think that hydro will implement a peak hour usage?

of course it is coming.. do you think this whole big stink made about smart meters has saved us a few more years without it?


if you look at it this way... who cares if people say it gives you cancer... HOW are you going to fight in court about how you will get billed down the line.. " smart meters will allow you to implement billing i don't like in the future " wouldn't cut it in court, for the most part. the whole"privacy" is a load of shit to me but i support it cause it is a argument that has some merit in a court of law and is raising awareness about these meters... if this went to plan.. meters would be swapped over and no one would bitch... peak hour billing is implemented and the fat cats at another poorly run crown corp, BC Hydro go on eating like pigs while the consumer who has no option is ass raped.
this isn't directed at you.. just a post in general.. not attacking anyone

RouRK 02-07-2012 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundy (Post 7789336)
According the Hydro spokesperson they had on NW last week, the complaints they've actually received amount to about one-half of one percent of their customers.

sometimes one-half of one percent do the work for the rest and the other 99+ % reap the benefits without even knowing/caring

/gets up and screams fuck the world.. haha

quasi 02-08-2012 06:32 AM

Reminds me of a call my wife told me about to Hydro. A lady called in complaining how the smart meter had made her whole family sick since it was implemented. Went on and on how terrible it is and the negative effects it's having on her family and how she's going to sue them. She was totally irate losing her mind. Then the person she is talking to says, ma'am, ma'am trying to get a word in edge wise. He say's, ma'am I hate to interrupt you but I think you need to know we haven't upgraded your meter yet you don't have a smart meter.


I honestly am totally impartial to the meters either way. I know the peak rate billing is coming but we'll do our best to avoid peak times as much as possible. I'm more annoyed with my property tax going up over 5% this year then I am with smart meters.

Vege 02-08-2012 07:21 AM

At the end of the day, BC Hydro needs money to update their infrastructure. Either they end up implementing a peak usage billing (Which I definitely think is coming) or, they can just raise rates across the board. At least with peak usage billing, you have an opportunity to control how much you get charged.

Lomac 02-08-2012 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quasi (Post 7789728)
Reminds me of a call my wife told me about to Hydro. A lady called in complaining how the smart meter had made her whole family sick since it was implemented. Went on and on how terrible it is and the negative effects it's having on her family and how she's going to sue them. She was totally irate losing her mind. Then the person she is talking to says, ma'am, ma'am trying to get a word in edge wise. He say's, ma'am I hate to interrupt you but I think you need to know we haven't upgraded your meter yet you don't have a smart meter.

I honestly am totally impartial to the meters either way. I know the peak rate billing is coming but we'll do our best to avoid peak times as much as possible. I'm more annoyed with my property tax going up over 5% this year then I am with smart meters.

Lol. my friend works in the call center and she gets the exact same call every couple days, usually from people who haven't had the upgrade done yet. :facepalm:
Posted via RS Mobile

StylinRed 02-08-2012 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vege (Post 7789742)
At the end of the day, BC Hydro needs money to update their infrastructure. Either they end up implementing a peak usage billing (Which I definitely think is coming) or, they can just raise rates across the board. At least with peak usage billing, you have an opportunity to control how much you get charged.

or they could raise rates on what they export from what i recall from an article those numbers havent changed for decades; that would be much more preferable :D

Death2Theft 02-08-2012 05:06 PM

Thats the price you pay for dealing with the US, they raies the rates to the Americans but the Canadians can't fuck with the rates.
Quote:

Originally Posted by StylinRed (Post 7789973)
or they could raise rates on what they export from what i recall from an article those numbers havent changed for decades; that would be much more preferable :D


godwin 02-08-2012 06:41 PM

I would wager 100% of the people don't understand how EM waves propagate from an enclosed metal casing that the meter is housed in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundy (Post 7789336)
According the Hydro spokesperson they had on NW last week, the complaints they've actually received amount to about one-half of one percent of their customers.


RouRK 02-08-2012 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godwin (Post 7790496)
I would wager 100% of the people don't understand how EM waves propagate from an enclosed metal casing that the meter is housed in.

don't stress what you can't control?

im curious... please explain.

goo3 02-08-2012 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godwin (Post 7790496)
I would wager 100% of the people don't understand how EM waves propagate from an enclosed metal casing that the meter is housed in.

I think they're worried about the RF transmitter.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:12 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
SEO by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.
Revscene.net cannot be held accountable for the actions of its members nor does the opinions of the members represent that of Revscene.net