SmartMeter Report Shows Accuracy

The SmartMeter debate we have been following took another turn yesterday as reported on KCBS and the Daily Journal.

The five-month study was released at a meeting of the California Public Utilities Commission, which ordered the review after receiving a flood of reports last year about skyrocketing electricity costs and bill estimates that were higher than what customers actually owed.

However, the analysis by The Structure Group of Houston found smart meters were accurately gauging electricity use.

The SF Chronicle piece has a bit more detail

Investigators with Structure Consulting Group of Houston, a utility consulting firm, tested 613 SmartMeters in the field and 156 in the lab, finding just two that didn't work.

But, of course, some publicity-seeking pol had to get in the act with a comment that doesn't seem show any understanding of what testing 750+ meters shows 

State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter (Kern County) said "I think it is key that we take the time now to have an extensive and detailed hearing on Structure's work product. So far what is missing from the report is any sense that this was a true 'investigation,' as opposed to a review of PG&E's SmartMeters."

If you want more testing details, here is the consultant's press release.  I'm sure we haven't heard the end of this and that PG&E will have to respond to the report's findings about poor communications and customer service.

Comments

[Joe]

Here's a bit of an update from the Mercury Times:

Pacific Gas & Electric said Monday it will replace 1,600 SmartMeters due to a "rare defect" that causes the wireless meters to run fast and inflate customers' electric bills.

It's the first time PG&E has acknowledged experiencing any kind of technical problems with the controversial meters, which have drawn consumer complaints for inaccuracy and negative health effects. The 1,600 defective meters, which are manufactured by the Swiss company Landis+Gyr, comprise less than 0.1 percent of the nearly 2.1 million Landis+Gyr meters installed in Northern California to date.

[Joe]

I have not heard about this potential problem (fire) before:

RENO, NEV.
State utility regulators have voted to formally launch an inquiry into the safety of smart meters installed on over 1 million Nevada homes and businesses by NV Energy.

Thursday's action by the Public Utilities Commission comes after Reno and Sparks fire chiefs identified nine fires they say started at a residential smart meter.

NV Energy must provide documents answering 20 detailed questions. The PUC seeks information on meter failures, the number of fires associated with meters, any lawsuits involving the meters and internal documents on meter fires.