Smart meters - see this general email sent to commercial clients

[ey143]

Hi

I received the following template emial from my commcerial energy supplier today.

How can this be a good thing when dynamic pricing could in theory (not for me as I am in a fixed 3Y contract per kw rate) results in business paying wildly different rates. I remember reading this forum about 5Y ago and reading comments as to why some old timers on this forum would not switch to smart meters because of issues like this. I know times have moved on since then and with the advent of electric cars, you can achieve rates as low as 5p/kwh overnight at the expense of paying 30p/kwh during the day.

What are views on the below written email to commercial clients by Smartest Energy?



As part of industry-wide electricity system upgrades to support Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS), we’re pleased to confirm that we’ve successfully qualified for the new MHHS arrangements and will begin operating within them on 19th October 2026.

This means we’ll be migrating your business account between 26th October 2026 and 5th May 2027 in line with the industry migration timeframe. After the migration, your electricity usage will be recorded and billed in half-hourly intervals. You’ll also be automatically moved to a half-hourly equivalent of your current tariff, so your rates will remain the same.

What this means for you:
- You don’t need to do anything, we’ll manage the migration for you.
- Your electricity usage will be settled using accurate half-hourly data.
- You’ll benefit from more precise consumption data, helping you better understand and manage your electricity use.
- There will be no interruption to your electricity supply or existing services during the migration.

About MHHS
The UK is making significant changes to modernise the electricity system and support the goal of reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. MHHS is a key part of this plan. Supported by Ofgem, MHHS will ensure all businesses-regardless of size-can benefit from accurate half-hourly electricity usage data via their smart meter. This shift opens new opportunities to better manage energy use, cut costs, and support a more flexible, sustainable energy future.

Learn More About MHHS
If you would like to learn more about MHHS, check out our blog, which includes a short explainer video and answers to frequently asked questions.

If you have any questions about this update, our team of knowledgeable experts are here to help. Just give us a call on 01930 703400 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm) or email [email protected].

 

[Old Salt]

In a previous life I worked for the UK Half Hourly data collector (not sure who has the contract now) but we quite often were in a position to save businesses money. One mega freezer storage had left the doors open and seeing the HH data rise from the “normal” we contacted the key holder who attended and found the problem.

It also allows large energy users to shift production to take advantage of cheaper rates.
This was all before the domestic HH metering became a thing. E.g. sub stations, NGC, Power stations, mega factories such as Ford etc.

 

[mikehammer69]

I'm not too familiar but im not seeing the issue either

Looks like smart metering billed every 30 minutes

 

[ericmark]

I have noted with domestic one can have both import and export within the same half hour slot, but in real terms, half hour slots tell one very little. I am sure all monitoring is digital, and there are in real terms no analogue meters, but the display from my solar software looks analogue. I am sure the software just smooths out the graph.

We now some 10 years ago, looked as being able to monitor my fathers-in-law power usage, our idea was we could see when a kettle had been used, and if a kettle is being used, he must be OK. If he can use a kettle he can use a phone.

He died before we got it set up. I am not the account holder in my house, my wife is, but I can view the metered use.

But as far as I am aware, the fire brigade can't as yet turn off my electric using the smart meter, it would make some sense if they could, maybe they can, but the fact not made public.

 

[ebee]

It could certainly help the safety issue in some cases

 

[mikehammer69]

What does the FB normally do about electric when they arrive at a house fire, if anything?

If it's an inferno presumably they can do nothing anyway

 

[morqthana]

What does the FB normally do about electric when they arrive at a house fire, if anything?

Claim it started in a plastic CU.

 

[securespark]

Miaow...

 

[ebee]

Claim it started in a plastic CU.

lol I like that one , a good chuckle with , I suspect, more than just a small splattering of truth. There is sometimes a tendency to auto blame certain preconceived ideas without enough real thought, we all have a tendency to do it at times to one degree or another and sometimes it spreads thru organisations too, let’s say there is a human nature involved a bit to heavily.