AEMC Mulls “Real-Time” Smart Meter Data Access For Consumers

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is inviting feedback on improving access for households and businesses to (near) real-time data about their electricity usage and generation.

One of the keys to this are smart meters, which many Australians already have. And while some have access to real time electricity production (in the case of solar owners) and consumption information, this not via the meter but through third-party hardware and monitoring services.

AEMC Chair Anna Collyer says smart meters are the “digital foundation” for a modern and efficient energy system.

“Smart meter technology also enables customers, and their authorised representatives such as retailers, to view energy usage information on a more timely basis and at a more granular level, and this is useful for everyone to make better-informed decisions that save consumers money.”

But much of this smart meter data is inaccessible to the average energy consumer. Some only get a report of their energy use when a bill shows up, although some retailers offer apps and interfaces showing daily summaries.

“… real-time access could mean individual households receive updates about their usage more frequently, for example every five minutes,” says Ms Collyer.

As things stand, consumers only have the right to access historical metering data; so introducing this would require a change to the National Electricity Rules (NER).

The AEMC is interested in views regarding data sharing arrangements, cyber security and privacy issues, how consumers could benefit and innovative consumer-focused products and services that could be developed.

And Another Opportunity To Slug Electricity Customers?

Improved access sounds good, but an infosheet regarding the consultation says this may come at a “significant” cost.

“The Commission considers that there may be a range of costs depending on the requirements imposed on parties to facilitate access,” it states. “These costs would likely be passed on to consumers in their bills.”

ECA Calls For “Unfettered” Smart Meter Data Access

The consultation was sparked by a rule change request by Energy Consumers Australia in June this year. Noting the AEMC’s desire to accelerate smart meter rollout and the Commission’s view smart meters will provide the data necessary for customers to make informed choices, ECA stated:

“Therefore, it is critical that as a key component of the roll out, consumers have unfettered access to their energy data (including their authorised representatives), in a format that makes sense to them, and in real time.”

But the ECA also made it very clear in its summary this access should be provided at no additional cost to consumers. However, further along in their rule change request the organisation acknowledges complying with any new obligations will likely flow through to consumers in the form of indirect charges, or recovered from third party service providers.

The AEMC is seeking feedback from industry and representative bodies (not consumers?) on the topic until 7 November 2024. Further information can be found on this AEMC project page.

The Commission also recently completed a consultation regarding proposed stronger consumer protections concerning smart meters.  This was triggered after complaints some electricity retailers have been using smart meters as an opportunity to switch customers onto Time-of Use or demand tariffs without their consent; and without a way back to flat rate tariffs. A final decision on the protections is expected late in November.

Energy nerd tip: if you have a smart meter, here’s how to access the data in a NEM12 file. The data won’t be pretty or user-friendly, but it can be viewed in Excel. You can also put it to use with applications such as SolarQuotes’ battery calculator, which will calculate savings and payback if you’re considering adding a battery to your solar power system.