On 26 May 2013, an inaugural public information meeting was held in Hobart about the proposed Tasmanian Government’s introduction of a smart electricity grid throughout the state.
Ref: http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/pr-article/public-meeting-on-smart-meters/
Central to the government’s proposal is the replacement of the existing analogue power meters with so called “smart meters” that wirelessly transmit energy usage back to the utility and give the consumer ‘real-time’ data on their energy usage. No longer will the energy provider need to employ meter readers to physically go from house to house to record electricity use – it will all be done wirelessly.
The organizers of the May 26 public meeting were concerned that the people of Tasmania were not receiving balanced information on the extent of claimed benefits and the pitfalls of introducing a smart grid in the state. This imbalance is illustrated in the Tasmanian government’s November 2012 information paper, Electricity Smart Networks which paints a glowing future for a rollout of an integrated smart grid throughout Tasmania.
While the government’s report focused on supposed benefits of a Tasmania smart grid, no mention was made of the many problems encountered with a similar rollout in Victoria.
One of a number of problems seen in the Victorian smart meter rollout is the importance of where the smart meter is placed. The Victorian experience shows that when a smart meter is placed externally on a bedroom wall, the frequent radiofrequency transmissions (up to 190,000 times daily) can affect sleep patterns resulting in insomnia, tinnitus and other health problems.
Ref: http://www.emfacts.com/download/SM_case_studies.pdf
Therefore, at the very least, the location of a smart meter needs to be taken into account in any proposed rollout of the technology in Tasmania. This currently is not being done, with any possible problems with the rollout of a smart grid in Tasmania being ignored by those promoting the technology in the state.
On May 24, 2013, on the eve of the Hobart public meeting on a possible smart meter rollout in Tasmania, this writer received a letter from Bryan Green the Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources for Tasmania.
In that letter Mr. Green claimed that “Aurora does not currently have any plans for a large-scale smart meter infrastructure roll-out across Tasmania” and that according to the latest Federal Govt. report, The Power of Choicereview by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AMEC), the future smart meter roll-out would likely become market driven, meaning that “a residential customer would only receive a smart meter if that customer explicitly requests a smart meter”.
However, read the fine print
It would be understandable if the reader at this point thought that there was no issue for the concerned public. If you have concerns over possible problems with having a smart meter installed on your home (or business premises) just don’t request one and you will not get one!
However, reading through AMEC’s Power of Choice review, which is the master blueprint for the future roll-out of a smart grid nationally, there are defined exceptions to Mr. Green’s claim. These exceptions are defined as:
“The rules provide that more advanced technology be used and installed in defined situations (ie new connections, refurbishments and replacements.) These would also be as per the SCER minimum functionally specification for smart meters.”
Ref: http://www.aemc.gov.au/market-reviews/open/power-of-choice-update-page.html
What this means is that all new buildings will get a smart meter. If you are planning renovations to your existing home that require changes to the wiring, which will need an Aurora safety inspection, Aurora will install a new electronic meter which meets “the minimum functionally specification for smart meters”. You will not be given the option of an analogue (non-smart) meter, which Aurora will no longer have in stock. In addition there is also the planned replacement of all analogue meters statewide. The new electricity meter will be a smart meter or an electronic meter capable of being upgraded to a fully functioning smart meter by simply inserting a chip. Just like the Tasmanian Devil, the analogue electricity meter now is looking like an endangered species!
Where does this put Mr. Green’s claim of having to explicitly request a smart meter if you want one?
However, if you do not want your existing electricity meter being replaced with a smart meter, better advice would be to securely lock up your meter box with a window in the meter box door to allow the reading of the meters without having to unlock the meter box. If your electricity provider requests access to the meter, make sure that they do not install a new smart meter without your permission. If you are building a new home, ensure that the new electricity smart meter is located well away from bedroom areas, preferably on an outbuilding, such as a detached garage.
As for Mr. Green’s claim that Aurora does not have any plans for a large-scale rollout across Tasmania, this does not ring true when comparing this claim to the government’s November 2012 report Electricity Smart Networks. To excerpt from that report:
The Tasmanian Government is working towards a major reform of the Tasmanian electricity industry, which will provide all Tasmanians electricity customers with a choice of the retailer for their electricity. The reforms will put downward pressure on prices and will also open up the market to longer term non-price benefits such as greater choices in products tailored to suit customer needs and improved service standards… A smart network would be a platform technology that supports customer engagement in the electricity market, moving the entire philosophy of the industry from a supply-side model to a model where customers can actively participate by making informed decisions about their electricity use…Continuing to move to a smart networking approach will build on the Governments’ electricity business’ work to date… the government’s intention to merge the transmission and distribution businesses provides the opportunity in Tasmania for end-to-end smart network solutions, which will further enhance the benefits of smart networking in Tasmania.
Plans for a rollout of a smart grid and smart meters in Tasmania is also seen in the state government’s report,Tasmanian Infrastructure Strategy Implementation Report (February 2013), where it is stated on page 5:
Help consumers to better manage their energy consumption, eg. through the availability of smart meters and smart grid technology.
If it is currently the case that the Government’s plans for a smart grid, using wireless smart meters, is unfunded, before rushing ahead it would be advisable to consider the Queensland just released discussion paper for a 30-year strategic plan for its own electricity policy.
Ref: http://www.dews.qld.gov.au/policies-initiatives/electricity-sector-reform/directions-paper
This paper, which is open to feedback until 6 December 2013, acknowledges the problems encountered in Victoria, such as cost blowouts and concerns over the type of wireless communication used. As a result of these concerns the Qld. government is considering the use of different smart meters other than the wireless communications ones being used in Victoria. On page 21 of its supporting materials paper, it states:
Other consumers oppose smart metering on the assumption that the communication technologies used in Victoria will be adopted here. This is not necessarily the case. Alternative technologies using existing electricity infrastructure and broadband internet are showing excellent potential to deliver the same results.
So, what is the future for a smart grid in Tasmania? Will our state govt. repeat some of the mistakes encountered by Victoria or will it take advantage of hard lessons learned and make truly smart decisions for Tasmania’s energy future?
Time will tell……….
Don Maisch PhD
Stop Smart Meters Australia 
Its got nothing to do with saving money etc. Is about the Government becoming TOTALITARIAN. They want to spy on us in every aspect of our lives, to control us. They dont care one iota.
People need to wake up! Ned’s right but they are also intent on making our lives as difficult as they possibly can, financially or any which way. Think about your health first and foremost, don’t give up control to these parasites or you will live to regret it.
Trouble with Tassy is the poverty mentality reigns supreme. Just tell Joe Blogs & family they will save a few bucks & they’ll stampede over your granny! All the State Govt needs to do is promise electricity savings or discounts & the people would probably accept any new thing on offer. Another case of money-talks-and-bullxxxx walks! Anyway, the Tas Govt simply doesnt have the money needed, to throw at a wide spread smart meter roll out, such as the Vic Govt have done. Lets hope a lack of funds will leave it dead in the water.
Hi have you heard about lead lined boxes that can be installed before the meter goes on as a slight prevention? Was wondering if it would be effective?
Tracy–Lead is an overkill-ordinary aluminium kitchen will reduce some of the emissions. I used a section of magnetic plastic used to stick labels on cars, cost was $25 for a 2×1 metre sheet. This material not only reflects the meter signal but also absorbs it. However, there is no 100% sure method. Even solar power installations emit significant energy at the same frequency as the smart meters.
Cheers, Rob
It is no surprise that state governments continue to gull the public into believing smart meters are safe. A good example is the current push to induce NE Victoria customers to take up time-of-use billing. The claimed savings are at best ephemeral since they depend on past history and not on timely advance notice of tariff changes. The latter would enable my home computer to sound an alarm of imminent upwards tariff changes and an “all clear” for downward movement. The choice of using high load appliances then remains with me. The distributors’ option is intended to save them money.
Who give’s a stuff about managing energy consumption ?
I’ll manage my own wellbeing and the power companies can stick their electricity.
When you have thousands of people screaming out their ill health and their health concerns, privacy concerns etc. and all you hear of is talk of “savings” and “managing consumption”, that is just so ridiculous. Can the power companies and the governments actually be so stupid to think that this ridiculous talk can wash ? Can they have their heads that much in the sand ? This appearance of stupidity gives all credence to there being another agenda to all this which we’re not being told about and which has absolutely nothing to do with the consumer saving anything.
100% right Eric. We must never give in. Why don’t electricity companies show their profits like the banks and others do?
The main lie we are being told in order to persuade us to accept one of these killing machines on our home is that we can look forward to ‘flexible pricing’. And yet, now that flexible pricing is commencing in Victoria, we are being told by authorities that we might find when we try one of these great flexible pricing plans that we don’t like it, and we are free to back out of it. (See Caveat Emptor’s comment – September 15- and sub-comments at https://stopsmartmeters.com.au/2013/09/13/reciprocal-buck-passing-no-care-no-accountability-and-no-responsibility/ )
I think that means that it is “flexible” enough to allow you to back out of rip-off pricing plan number 1, and try rip-off pricing plan number 2. And if that doesn’t work for you, there’s alway rip-off pricing plan number 3.
Tasmanians, we Victorians have already disproved all the power companies’ lies. Learn from our experience or you will pay a heavy price.
Best to start a door-knocking campaign complete with flyers stuffed in every post box to educate Tasmanians about the trouble and grief that’s about to descend on those unwary souls. Activism may actually save that state, unlike we poor Victorians who have been shackled by the chains of tyranny by government/corporate greed.