[Boatanchors] "Smart" Electric Meters

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

HL&P (AKA Houston Looting and Pillage) had a remote control program some 
years back where if you signed up for it (it was voluntary) an installer came out 
and put a remote control relay in the 240 supply to the outside compressor 
unit.  During the months of June, July and August they used the system for load 
leveling.  The customer received a (I think) 5% discount on their bill for the 
month.  I think I recall that you didn't get the discount unless they 
activated the system at least once during the month.  But having the box installed was 
free to the customer so if it wasn't used, it had no effect on your bill.  
The system was abandoned, I think during de-regulation.  But AFAIK, the unit was 
a normally closed remote controlled relay.  No transmitter.

In a message dated 5/9/2008 3:04:22 PM Central Daylight Time, jfor at quik.com 
writes: 
> >I have one on my house and there is no resulting RFI from it.  The meter
> >is read remotely from the headquarters and if the power goes off for
> >some reason they are notified by the monitoring station.
> >
> >I don't know if they can control the shut on/shut off or not, but if
> >they can't then it would be an easy software upgrade.
> 
> ==============
> 
> Not so easy. They need a way to switch loads selectively and the high
> current wiring to do that.
> 
> -John
> 
> =============
> 
> >I don't know why any power company would want to raise rates just for
> >that, they continue buying the meters anyway, just order the different
> >model.  Maybe they have big plans for you to fund some increase in
> >salaries of the managers. [snip]
> 

Robert Downs - Houston
<http://www.wa5cab.com> (Web Store)
MVPA 9480
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