EoW May 2011

Transat lant ic Cable

A major item is, of course, the necessity for a meter reader to check each opt-out household’s electricity and gas usage every month. A fully operational SmartMeter bypasses this expensive function by sending data to the utility via wireless communication.

The PG&E plan calls for the company to go on installing SmartMeters in houses, over the objections of the customer. The customer could, however, exercise an option to have the new meter’s transmitter disabled, cutting off the wireless signal. Anyone who has already received a SmartMeter could do likewise – at a price. ❈ Since 2006, PG&E has installed nearly eight million SmartMeters in its service area. Predicting that as many as 145,800 of its customers would choose to have the signal turned off, the company would charge for sending a technician to disable the transmitter. A new, continuing, charge would also show up on the customer’s monthly bill. Mr Baker described one of the payment plans proposed by PG&E, under which the customer would pay $270 up front and a monthly fee of $14 thereafter. A lower initial payment of $135 would entail a $20 monthly fee going forward. Opt-out customers moving to another residence could face an “exit fee” to cover reactivation of the transmitter on the SmartMeter at the previous address. A PG&E spokesman explained: “For those folks who don’t want to participate, there are additional costs, and this will help recuperate those costs.”

Metals

Historic high prices for copper prompt a switchover to aluminium for some important wire applications

As the global economic recovery gets up steam, a surge in the price of copper is prompting some US manufacturers to turn to another conductor of electricity: aluminium. Makers of automobiles, such large appliances as air conditioners, and industrial components are switching in greater numbers to the much cheaper metal to help offset rising costs. Other products ripe for the change in allegiance include building wire and evaporator and condensing coils for commercial refrigerators.

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EuroWire – May 2011