Brownlee not smart on smart meters

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee's refusal to specify a standard for domestic smart metering in New Zealand is another missed opportunity to allow consumers to take some control over the cost of their power, Labour's spokesperson on Energy and Resources Charles Chauvel says.

"Companies selling new types of power meters estimate that they will have rolled them out to 80 per cent of New Zealand homes by the end of 2013.

“That sounds good, but the meters are not being installed with a HAN (home area network) chip so they can't communicate with other in-home appliances to allow consumers to take advantage of using power when electricity is cheaper.

“This means that consumers are missing out on Time of Use (TOU) tariffs, which would save them money.

"The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment last year recommended that the Minister should specify a standard, as has now taken place in a number of overseas jurisdictions.

“But Gerry Brownlee has ignored those recommendations. He defends his decision by saying ‘the ripple control system on home water heating to manage peak load’ is an adequate substitute.

“In technology terms, that's a bit like saying you don't want an I-pod because you still have a perfectly good collection of 78s.

“Domestic electricity consumption patterns are going to change very rapidly, and consumers are going to need to be able to decide which appliances to use and when.

"Plus, if we are to be ready for the roll-out of electric vehicles in New Zealand, we're going to be able to need to charge those vehicles overnight at home.

“Unfortunately, Gerry Brownlee has buried his head in the sand. His decision is more short term National and just stacks up more problems for the future instead of providing the sort of leadership that is needed in the sector now.

“And consumers still bear the costs they continue to pay for smart meters to be rolled out to their homes without the technology needed within them to do a proper job."

ENDS

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