ENERGY MATTERS

[Big Kev]

I'll stick with my regular DD that's balanced out over the year

[PanBiker]

Me too Kev wer'e on a fixed cheaper DD than BG and a better tariff. I jumped ship to Octopus, best supplier in the ratings. A lot easier to deal with than BG, very easy website. One temporary downer is that I'm doing meter readings again. Not a biggie, Octopus are waiting for the 2nd generation universal smart meter rollout before changing meters, should be later this year.

Anyone who is thinking of joining Octopus, if you use this link we will both get £50.00 a win, win.

Octopus Energy

[Big Kev]

One temporary downer is that I'm doing meter readings again. Not a biggie, Octopus are waiting for the 2nd generation universal smart meter rollout before changing meters, should be later this year.

Plans are afoot to enable communication to all smart meters, SMET1 and 2, to the central data centre soon...

[PanBiker]

Octopus recommend waiting for SMET 2 if you don't already have them. I have SMET 1 and will wait to see what pans out.

[Big Kev]

Octopus recommend waiting for SMET 2 if you don't already have them. I have SMET 1 and will wait to see what pans out.

There are very few with SMET 2 at the moment and those are at the testing phase. It'll all come together soon

[Stanley]

I notice that another round of price rises has started. Could be that my fixed price 'til 2020 was a good move.....

[Stanley]

I heard a report that SSE have announced their second price rise this year and others are expected to follow suit. Can't find anything on the web yet.

[Tizer]

Some more facts about dams and their dangers...
`Hydropower dams: What's behind the global boom?' LINK
In particular, note the sentence: `More than 3,500 hydropower dams are being planned or built around the world...This could double by 2030.'

[Stanley]

[Stanley]

Have a look at THIS ABC report on the work of Queensland scientists who are working on the conversion of hydrogen into ammonia. This enables it to be easily exported to where there is a market for hydrogen as fuel. They see this as a significant breakthrough.

[Tizer]

Further reading shows that the CSIRO project uses electrochemical cells to synthesise NH3 from H2 and N2 and to `crack the NH3' when the H2 is needed. Membranes are used to separate the gases.

[Stanley]

Thanks Peter. I have just heard the news that British Gas are putting the price of gas under their Standard Variable Tariff again by 3.8%. My fixed price until 2020 is looking better and better.

[PanBiker]

Mine even better after dumping them and moving to Octopus.

[Tripps]

I've been with Octopus for over a year now. They sent me a message recently saying my payment was set to rise. 'Fair enough' I thought - everyone else's has so why not mine. Just paid the first new payment - then noticed it is actually less than last year's.
First rule of problems - whose problem is it?
Not mine. I guess they'll even it out later.

Have you manged to convert anyone else yet and claim the £50 each? I'm still working on my son, but he's hard work. Apples / trees?

[PanBiker]

I have a recent email and a link for £100 for a new introduction. Do you do your own readings and if so have you won anything on the wheel of fortune yet? We only swapped earlier in the year but am happy with the tariff and ease of use. Not swapping my smart meters until the phase two units are released.

[PanBiker]

Just checked and it's £100 to share same as yours Tripps

[Tripps]

Do you do your own readings and if so have you won anything on the wheel of fortune yet?

Yes - I've been doing that for my own record for ages now, so that's no hardship. Spun the wheel of fortune, but no success.

[Stanley]

You lead such energetic lives.......

[Tizer]

A step closer to organic PV cells that will be cheaper and more flexible (in more ways than one)...
`Organic solar cells set 'remarkable' energy record' LINK

[Stanley]

If that can be developed it makes very good sense and is good news. Could be efficient before our latest white elephant at Hinkley Point comes on line?

[Tripps]

I bought the Times last Saturday - a rare occurrence these days. There's plenty in it, and I doubt I'll finish it before next Saturday. Interesting article says that Citizens Advice Bureau are calling for the roll out period for smart meters to be extended by three years.

They also say that -

"The meters will also enable tariffs that vary prices throughout the day and charge higher rates at peak times."

That alone seems to me to be a good enough reason to refuse one.

[Stanley]

Lots of pressures for it David and after my experiences I can see why. Variable tariffs will come one day I'm afraid. They won't stop 'improving' the service.I noticed how the £ has dropped and is it any wonder imported gas prices are rising?

[Big Kev]

"The meters will also enable tariffs that vary prices throughout the day and charge higher rates at peak times."

Not everyone's ideal I know but it will encourage people to think about what they're doing and even out energy use.

[Tripps]

They won't stop 'improving' the service.

Hutber's Law again - "Improvement equals deterioration".

The smart meters are interesting. They say in their current advertising /propaganda that they will save enough electricity to power several large cities. Put me down as 'sceptical'.

[Big Kev]

They won't stop 'improving' the service.

Hutber's Law again - "Improvement equals deterioration".

The smart meters are interesting. They say in their current advertising /propaganda that they will save enough electricity to power several large cities. Put me down as 'sceptical'.

Smart meters will only save energy if people use the data, provided by them, to look at ways to reduce their energy use.