Listen, I can't say much on the subject but, if my source is correct (and he should be, I'll leave it at that), HAI isn't going to be doing anyone any favors when it comes to their BS "smart meter" stuff. Well, except for utilities and themselves, of course. The whole smart meter blather raises more bile for me than any other possible subject in this silly little HA world.
You know what they say, "Wish in one and and...". I've been following smart meter nonsense for two solid years and there isn't a player in the mix who has YOUR best interests in mind. Ultimately, the smart meter integration that's coming down the pike has nothing to do with HA (or the consumer for that matter). It has everything to do with utility prompted load shed. That's it. I have seen NOTHING to make me think otherwise (savvy marketing is in place to give us a warm fuzzy while they take your money and offer little to nothing in return) and, yes, that includes the info I am getting from inside sources at HAI.
This is rarely true, actually. The truth is that in most cases, the utilities are being PAID to conduct such studies. They are subsidized by both federal and local gov't as well as by commercial sponsorship. On top of that, they, in most cases, have received PUC authority to increase rates for consumers to further fund the roll outs. In other words, WE are paying for their studies. Lastly, there has been no regulation put in place to prevent the providers from "double billing" by having the R&D and materials paid for once by the aforementioned subsidies and then to bill, once again, the consumer for "offering" the smart meter. All of this without any obligation to provide any data whatsoever to the consumer. This snowball (and it is a snowball, admittedly with good potential) has fraud written all over it. Don't believe me? Contact any member of the city council of Boulder, CO and find out how happy they are with their relationship with Xcel Energy and the largest pilot program in the nation...SE deployment is very expensive (they are subsidizing most devices at this time)...
This is rarely true, actually. The truth is that in most cases, the utilities are being PAID to conduct such studies. They are subsidized by both federal and local gov't as well as by commercial sponsorship. On top of that, they, in most cases, have received PUC authority to increase rates for consumers to further fund the roll outs. In other words, WE are paying for their studies. Lastly, there has been no regulation put in place to prevent the providers from "double billing" by having the R&D and materials paid for once by the aforementioned subsidies and then to bill, once again, the consumer for "offering" the smart meter. All of this without any obligation to provide any data whatsoever to the consumer. This snowball (and it is a snowball, admittedly with good potential) has fraud written all over it. Don't believe me? Contact any member of the city council of Boulder, CO and find out how happy they are with their relationship with Xcel Energy and the largest pilot program in the nation...SE deployment is very expensive (they are subsidizing most devices at this time)...
Agreed. I don't think anybody has an issue with HAI very sensibly pursuing its business opportunities.Utility companies may have their own agenda, but that is outside the scope of HAI and what we offer.
Gentlemen,
I am very deeply involved with HAI's Zigbee and Smart Meter involvement. HAI has not been officially released Zigbee at this time for the public, so any information I reveal in this reply may be changed at that release time.
HAI's Zigbee devices indeed do exist. Many of you may have seen demos at select shows. We will be offering both HA and SE varieties.
I don't believe that what SoCal Edison is doing would be considered a pilot at this point. They have rolled out 1.3 million smart meters and are continuing down the road to roll them out to all of their customers.
www.sce.com/smartconnect