Michael and Gary,
I also received a long phone call from ESB Networks today - probably the same
person!
I can confirm all that you have said. He pointed out that the existing meters
that are now being installed have what he called an "in-house channel" that
will deliver data to a "Smart Reading" device to be supplied by any of the
network suppliers, i.e. An Bord gáis,Electric Ireland or An Post, etc. These
Smart devices will be unipue to each supplier and will have all sorts of
customer functions like power usage, times, loads and the ability to register
other sources of power such as solar panels that would also count in the
overall electric consumption of the household depending on what each supplier
wishes to supply to its customers. Electric Ireland will also provide such a
tool but only after all the meters are installed throughout the country and
only if the suppliers do not do so. This is planned in about two or three years
time.
He pointed out that non-visual access will never be available in the meter
itself as this is only capable of recording the raw usage data and transmitting
it over 2G. Yes, there is a visual display on the meter but this is no more
than a counter and has no smart functionality. The suppliers front ends will be
needed for sighted interpretation of the usage just as much as non-visual
information. These supplier smart devices will feed off the built-in in-house
channel that are in the new meters.
I was convinced that our target should be the suppliers. They are now
developing their smart apps and devices so this it the time to get in at ground
level.
Does this agree with what you heard?
Here is the contact information for anyone who wishes to follow up on this
topic with ESB Networks:
Phone: 1800 928 123
Name: smart metering helpline
Email: esbnetworks@xxxxxx
All the best,
Cearbhall
m +353 (0)833323487 Ph: _353 (0)1-2864623 e: cearbhall.omeadhra@xxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: fb-exchange-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <fb-exchange-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of michael brown
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020 10:21 PM
To: fb-exchange@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [fb-exchange] Re: smart meter
Hi Garry,
The good news is that I received a phone call this evening from a guy who is
working on the smart meter project in ESB Networks. He did confirm that the
meters being installed in the first phase of the roll-out are not accessible,
however they are working on a few different possibilities so that accessible
smart meter can be installed for visually impaired consumers. What is been
considered perhaps a text to speech and large display unit in the home, a phone
app or smart speaker which would be able to access the meter.
This project will probably not be ready until the third phase of the roll-out
of the smart meters which has been held up because of the present circumstances
and may not be completed for another two years.
It would appear that this guy has done quite a bit of research on accessible
meters and I have a good feeling that ESB Networks will provide accessible
meters for us.
Regards, Mike
Sent from my iPhone
On 2 Sep 2020, at 15:25, gary worn <garyworn1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:===========================================================
Hi Michael.
I rang the phone number that you asked us to enquire how accessible the new
smart meters are but there is a problem, a person has to have their mpi
number and a blind person would not be able to see this. I know we have apps
to carry out this function, but how are you expected to be on the phone and
get it to read the mpi number.
Sent from Gary's iPhone 0876722717
On 18 Aug 2020, at 01:24, Michael Brown <michael.brown699@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:===========================================================
Hi all,
As I mentioned at the meeting yesterd= ay below is a link to the RNIB
website, which gives a brief description of = the accessible smart
meter available for visually impaired consumers in the= UK.
ESB= Networks are installing smart meters to all homes throughout
Ireland over = the next few years, there are also two other companies
contracted to carry = out this work. =C2=A0=C2=A0
To make sure that these meters will be accessible for us= , you can
contact ESB Networks on 1800 928123
=
Regards, Michael
https=
://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/accessible-smart-meter#:~:text=3DAcces
sible%=
20smart%20meters%20are%20now%20available%20from%20selected%20supplier
s,-Pos=
t%20date%3A%20Wednesday&text=3DBlind%20and%20partially%20sighted%20pe
op= le,to%20manage%20your%20energy%20usage.[1]
Sent from Mail[2] for Windows 10
=
--- Links ---
1 3D"https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/accessible-smar=
2 3D"https://=
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