So here we are class, and what we know is that Central Maine Power’s Usage Alerts and Energy Manager applications have problems. The overall view in this author’s mind is that CMP can do some relatively simple fixes. Maybe.
[Quick links to previous parts of this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 ]
Now, in this study, we have looked at one CMP customer’s data. Mine. It is likely that the aggregate kWh values are based on a full day, meaning that the data presented for a date is for the full 24 hours from midnight to 11:59:59 PM. Therefore we should never see “shared” dates across two bill cycles like we have seen in this series. Whereas the author is a long-term year-round customer with one meter and one location, I can’t speak for those cases that are different, and that is where the experts come in. Doesn’t it seem like CMP took a lot of things for granted? Probably outsourced the wrong math position.
I know that I am a unique individual, but this problem is unlikely unique to me.
And for the record, here are weeks 3 and 4 Usage Alerts, straight from my phone. Again they have the wrong start date for the upcoming bill cycle. It should be 8/26 instead of 8/25. Imagine if you will, if I wanted to know how many days were in the month of September, and someone said 31 because they included August 31st! And to recap, the value of 15.6, for 8/25, should not be added, and thus the Usage total is wrong on the Alerts.
Anyway…
and
And the same issues that we have already seen before with Energy Manager continue as well. Or rather not so well.
My actual bill is likely to get generated before the next Usage Alert, so I won’t be receiving a 5th alert for this month. The next weekly alert will be for a new billing period. At least that’s the way it has worked for me.
So you can probably have guessed by now that I don’t use the Usage Alerts that I’ve signed up for. And here’s the bottom line: can’t trust it at the moment.
Here’s the Usage Alert message options and my comments
- A weekly message with usage, cost, and average information. Right, we talked about this one throughout this presentation. We didn’t talk about real time and on time, but I’ll just mention it. Just did.
- An amount exceeded message. You can put in an amount like 1500Kw, and you’ll get a message only if you exceed that amount in the current billing cycle. Some folks might find this useful, but I’d rather know if I have a daily jump past an amount exceeded. So if I put in 60 kWh and the smart meter day value exceeds that amount, then send me an alert. Get it? In real time, not a day or so later.
- A daily usage change message. If your daily usage changes by 50% higher or 75% lower for three consecutive days as compared to your past 30-day average, then you get a message alert. What does this even mean to the average customer? Hey your usage is way up, go see if that heater in the hen house is on high. I know what CMP is trying to do, it’s just not well executed. Plus it’s not real time. I have yet to get one of these Alerts, which tells me I’m not in control and thus why I’d prefer to use #2 as I describe.
- Simply text USAGE to the number cited, and you get a Usage Alert reply with usage, cost, and average information. The problems are same as number 1, except you control when you get the message by simply requesting it. Again not real time. For example, if I request USAGE today 9/24 at 5 PM, then the returned energy information is only current to 9/23 – or about 17 hours of data not included, etc.
Did anyone even ask the customer base what they would want? Nah.
Smart meters are not SMART unless the data is retrievable by the customer as the measurements occur, ie real time. Real SMART meters can do this, but not those so-called from CMP. That $96 million stimulus grant should have made real-time reporting possible for those who would want it.
Yeah, so briefly, due to these problems and more, I have my own “smart” metering system attached to my main electrical panel. A ramble about that can be found here.
Oh, I thought everybody left. Yes, Mr F?
Mr Flanagan: “Yeah, kinda was wondering what you mean by ramble.”
Ramble, as in randomly talking about some topic that pops into my head, and occasionally rambling on and on and on until you get it, but not really expecting anyone to check it out unless they feel like it and have nothing else to do most of the time even on Friday afternoons during a pandemic. See?
Mr Flanagan: “So what are we suppose to do with this information?”
Excellent question, and the answer is: “Is your busted hammer really broken?”
Mr Flanagan: “What does that mean?”
I’m not sure, check back in a few days so that I can make something up.
Mr Flanagan: “Oh, like in the PR classes.”
Right.
(Note: Click here to go to Part 6 of this Series.)