TOU Net Meters for PG&E and SCE [RE-wrenches]

[Bill Brooks]

Mike Iamarrino is the SDG&E contact. I believe his number is 619-650-6166. I
have witnessed the first two TOU setups in PG&E territory and it is still
VERY new. It will be some time before they get all the bugs worked out. Once
everything is working, it will make a huge difference for PV.

Bill.


-----Original Message-----
From: jberdner at sma-america.com [mailto:jberdner at sma-america.com]
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 3:57 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: TOU Net Meters for PG&E and SCE [RE-wrenches]


Wrenches:

Today I spoke with the key people from SMUD, SCE, and PG&E about TOU net
metering.
I didn't get to SDG&E because I couldn't find a key contact person to talk
to.
If anyone is working with SDG&E and has a contact please let me know and
I'll follow up.
I also left a message for the LADWP people but so far no answer.

Everyone should realize that the whole TOU net metering thing is very new to
the utilities.
The ruling just came down at the beginning of the year so it is not all that
unexpected that there is some confusion.
After talking with the utility folks I don't think there is anything
sinister going on.
More just a matter of finding the right people to talk to.

The bi directional TOU meter that most utilities are using is a GE KV series
meter.
Beyond the KV series it is hard to be specific since it depends on the
voltage, current, # of phases, etc.
PG&E and SMUD say this is the approved meter to use
At SCE there is still some technical problem with using a single TOU meter
for net metering as called for in the legislation.
Until they (SCE) get is resolved they are installing a Tee adaptor and a
second meter at their cost.
They will Net it by subtracting one reading from the other.

When you think about it this is actually really cool since you can see what
you are using and what you are generating separately for no additional cost!
Net metering with a single meter masks a whole multitude of sins on both the
generation side and load side.
"Gee, my PV system isn't working nearly as well since I installed that new
deep freezer in the garage"

>>>>

Now on to the cost for the meter.
I believe all of the utilities in California have a requirement that they
must own the meter.
This is so they can keep them calibrated and test them as needed.
I know some people don't like this aspect but I think we are stuck with it
for now.

The new legislation says that the utilities can not charge anything extra
for > Net < TOU.
This does not mean they can not charge anything at all.
They can charge the same amount that they would "for the same class of
service".
This means that if you install a TOU meter the cost is the same if it is NET
or not NET.

The costs do vary from utility to utility and it depends if this is a new
service or a retrofit.
Obviously the cost for the meter also depends on the size of the service,
i.e. a 200 Amp 240 Volt meter is cheaper than a 1,000 Amp, 480 Volt, 3 phase
meter.

The number quoted to me from PG&E for the E7 (residential TOU) rate was
"about $277.00"

If you have some projects that are ready to install Net metered systems here
are some contacts:

PG&E - Julie Peterson (and her group) 415.972.5676
I know some previous posts have suggested Harold Hirsh but Harold says they
just set up a new group under Julie Peterson.

SCE - Laura Redison (sic ?) 626.302.1212

I hope this helps to clear up the confusion.
If anyone has any additional information, either confirming or
contradictory, please let me know.

Best regards,

John Berdner

SMA-America, Inc.
20830 Red Dog Road
Grass Valley, CA  95945
Tel: 530.273.4895
Fax: 530.274.7271

- - - - - - -
To send a message:
 RE-wrenches at topica.com

The archive of previous messages:
 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette:
 http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

To unsubscribe send a message to:
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine:
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

____________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  -- Learn More. Surf Less.
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose.
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01


- - - - - - -
To send a message:
 RE-wrenches at topica.com

The archive of previous messages: 
 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette:
 http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

To unsubscribe send a message to: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

____________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  -- Learn More. Surf Less. 
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose.
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01