Smart meter

[Tinbum]

I thought Ripple had teamed up with other companies as well. EDF or Eon??

[Oldgreybeard]

They have, but their E7 rates aren't great, unfortunately. Around 97% to 98% of our grid usage is at the cheap rate, so unless a supplier has a decent off-peak rate, together with a reasonable standing charge (makes a difference as we don't use a lot of grid electricity) they aren't really worth considering. EDF are closest to our present supplier, but not close enough to make switching worthwhile yet. I'll see what happens come March, when the prices change again, I think.

[Eabadger]

Here in France the smart meter is standardized and called a linky
They communicate in near real time over the power cables
Does seem a smart idea to have standard in all homes
But French are convinced the flashing led is a camera and microphone to spy on them

[GarethC]

This is what's strikes me as unnecessary about Ripple's model. Why not just credit someone's bank account with the value of the customer's share of the electricity generated, rather than fanny around with bill reductions? Am I misunderstanding?

[Oldgreybeard]

This is what's strikes me as unnecessary about Ripple's model. Why not just credit someone's bank account with the value of the customer's share of the electricity generated, rather than fanny around with bill reductions? Am I misunderstanding?

It would make it a lot easier to invest. I would have invested a long time ago had they had that as a business model, the sole reason I've not done so is because of the need to permanently contract with one of their electricity supply partners. Fine for as long as those selected supply partners are good value, not fine if they become less competitive than others, as you're then stuck.

[nowty]

It’s because ripple want to utilise product differentiation which is one of the classic business strategies. Whether it will work for them is another matter.

[Thebeeman]

This is what's strikes me as unnecessary about Ripple's model. Why not just credit someone's bank account with the value of the customer's share of the electricity generated, rather than fanny around with bill reductions? Am I misunderstanding?

Similar to the Govt's handout, EDF paid it straight into my bank account for October, Octopus are putting into my leccy account since I've moved.

[AGT]

Shell deducted the amount from my direct debit, but the bill still said I was paying the same direct debit it wasn’t until SWBMO advised the amount had gone down £60 odd quid.

I’m going with a smart meter next year to give me more options on TOU tariffs etc

[Oldgreybeard]

Shell deducted the amount from my direct debit

UW started doing the same in October, but then switched to adding it to our credit balance, which took it over the threshold where they start to give a refund. Now they give us a "direct credit" of £38.66 a month, between now and the end of March. Seems a bizarre way to do it, but nothing much surprises me any more. I'm pretty sure we will still be in credit with them come March 2023, anyway, even with the refund each month.