Is it fraud? New Controlled Load using your solar

[Malster]

So recently anyone with a Controlled Load (CL1 or CL2) service was advised that they were changing the timings to move some of the CL during the day when solar is abundant.  Makes logical and environmental sense.

What they failed to tell us is that the CL will be using your own solar, but they will still charge you full-rate for your CL service.

In my case, where my HWS dissipates approx 4800kW I can observe the following:

Solar production :~3kW

Approx 500W used by house

Leaves 2.5kW exported.

CL activates for 10 min (11:00am)

Now importing 2.4kW 

Thus i am only drawing down 2.4kW from the grid..

Actual grid consumption for that 10min:

2400 / (60min/10) = 400Wh

What did my raw data from smart meter say?  931Wh for CL usage.

So I got billed for all the CL1 usage, even though it came from my own solar.

If you have your own monitoring as I do (2 independent systems), you might want to check what is happening with your CL service.

[Malster]

NeilC,

  "For the rest of you I would love to see your actual meter data rather than your un-calibrated  graphs from your solar inverter."   

Maltser>>Calibrated or not, data from 2 monitoring systems showing pretty close match is not required, we are not talking about 100-200w errors here we are talking 3kWH errors.  My systems are calibrated enough to detect that LoL

"As Wisha and Malster seem to be in SA, do you know you can get your 5min (or 30min) data from SA Power Networks."
Maltser>> Nope, sorry not in SA, so irrelevant to me. 

Cheers,
Malster

[Wisha]

Yes, all my conversations with Enerven (metering), SA powernetworks and the retailer revolved around accessing the 5 min smart meter data from SA Powernetworks (need to wait 24hr to access it).

What we did:
Enerven came around and opened the smart meter to see if they could do anything. They couldn't.

We then took a time stamp and turned on the controlled load circuit for 10 mins (which did energise), and then held in the boost button on the smart meter to access the boost function to see what that does when the sun is out and solar is being exported.

They were then able to extrapolate that when the controlled load was active (2kw load), the export dropped by 2kw, but the controlled load was charged at full rate. The export should have remained constant, as the solar panels were producing the power and CL should not offset exports (and in this case, still charge for it as well). They all then said it was each others problem. No resolution was provided. The technical regulator gave up (well they removed him from the case, appointed a new person who had no clue and simply disabled my CL, so we had cold hotwater)/

[Malster]

Still not been contacted...  I hear crickets!

You would think, since they are suffering revenue leakage (by paying for solar export when there isn't any) they would be right onto this.  But then again, they make more from the fraudulent billing of CL1 I guess, so better they stay quiet?

[Malster]

Yup, exactly what I see...   They are only pen pushers and customer service, have no engineering skills.   Its not rocket science to see what it happening, yet they have their blinkers on and say its not my issue.    

Can you imagine any other business who could fraudulently invoice customers for something they didn't get or use, then blame the provider of the service?  AGL are the retailer, it's on them to ensure the integrity of the data they are provided, but they choose not to as there is a benefit for them.

I think they even fail the basic math part..   The girl that rang me a few weeks ago admitted she understood the issue, but said there is no issue..  

[NeilC]

@Wisha 

Its 05:39 in the morning (Friday) and my SAPN data for Thursday is already published.

With all the issues how come no-one has changed your meter to one that works correctly or does this mean that ALL SMART METERS have this issue.

I am glad that I do not use my controlled load, however there is a simple fix, if the meter is non compliant then the retailer should install a timer on the wall that uses the normal household power to supply the heater. There is an issue with these though, due to the fact that they need to be manually adjusted twice a year for Daylight Savings Time.

I have this issue with my heat pump hot water service but changing the time is not hard, otherwise you can set the timer to go on at 11:00 and off at 15:00 when in non DST.

[Malster]

Hi Wisha,

   What is this "boost button" you speak of, what is it's purpose?  We don't have that, as far as I know.

So your "investigative team" observed the issue, that AGL says doesn't exist. 

I think what AGL should do is to remove the bogus CL1 access/supply charge since there is no longer a separate circuit/meter like there used to be as it's all done in 1 meter now.  We pay a supply fee (7.1c per day)  and a usage tariff (25.7c/kWh)  for electricity coming from our own solar..   It's a rort that's for sure! 

[Malster]

Another 2 weeks past Syed, any updates?

[Lester]

@Malster "What is this "boost button" you speak of, what is it's purpose?  We don't have that, as far as I know."

It's usually a green button you can push to boost HW if it ever runs out / gets too cold.

Usually not needed unless high HW usage and / or small system capacity.

These buttons are only found on meters with a CL circuit, most often they are a stand alone CL meter.

[Malster]

@SYED_AGL 

Another week, any update Syed?

[SYED_AGL]

Hi @Malster 

We wanted to inform you that the investigation is still ongoing and has now been escalated to the HWS department for further review. Based on initial findings, the issue appears to be more complex than it initially seemed, and as such, it requires a more in-depth and careful approach to ensure nothing is overlooked.

We understand that waiting can be frustrating, and we genuinely appreciate your understanding during this time. Please rest assured that we’re treating this matter with the urgency and attention it deserves. Once we have meaningful updates or resolutions to share, we will get back to you promptly.

If you have any additional details or concerns in the meantime, feel free to reach out — we're here to help.