[LINK] [PRIVACY] BT: 'Are meters too smart by half?'

Richard Chirgwin rchirgwin at ozemail.com.au
Sat Jun 26 18:00:13 AEST 2010


Tom Koltai wrote:
>   
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au 
>> [mailto:link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au] On Behalf Of Scott Howard
>> Sent: Saturday, 26 June 2010 3:52 PM
>> To: Jan Whitaker
>> Cc: link at anu.edu.au
>> Subject: Re: [LINK] [PRIVACY] BT: 'Are meters too smart by half?'
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 10:37 PM, Jan Whitaker 
>> <jwhit at janwhitaker.com>wrote:
>>
>>     
>>>> “The major concern regarding privacy in general is not the 
>>>> technology
>>>>         
>>> but
>>>       
>>>> the way that users are so relaxed about it in the way they 
>>>>         
>> use their 
>>     
>>>> info, passwords, etc.â€
>>>>         
>>> Someone got their wirelesses crossed. How is a
>>> user supposed to lock down something they have no
>>> control over? That is just a stupid statement or
>>> else the reporter and Budde were talking about two different things.
>>>
>>>       
> http://www.google.com/powermeter/about/
>
>   Scott.
>
>
> Thanks Scott,
>
> I wasn’t all that worried about privacy issues until you posted the
> Google "Power meter - work with us link....."
>
> That's all I need.... My utilisation accessible via a Google "in the
> cloud" search.
>
> Although I must admit I am surprised at Paul Budde's [attributed]
> statement.
> Mr. Budde to me always seemed like a responsible conservative net
> citizen. Is he now saying that regardless of smart meter prying
> capabilities, the final solution is in the hands of the consumer?
>
> Because if he is... Then I propose that we all go off grid immediately,
> as per Jan's example of VIC power meters not having the consumer info
> available without extra charges.
> Let me see, they install meters to learn about my habits, but Im not
> allowed to see the data unless I pay for it ?
>
> An example of government value add to the economy....
>
> There are some very nice 30 kwh Capstone power turbines available for
> only 25-30,000 (USD$) that will provide "neighbourhood" electricity to
> at least five households with a total compressed natural gas bill of
> around $970.00 (AUD$) per month.
> (That is at 29 kwh constant. At more like 10 kWh average usage - for 5
> households - excluding peak), the CNG bill would be substantially
> cheaper.)
>
> Then their smart readers can read their own grid connection.
>
> I have to say, with off Internet "internet WiFi communities" (in Europe)
> and off grid "neighbourhood power co-ops" - New Jersey) the world
> appears to be returning to a level of self sustainability that it has
> long ignored for the sake of convenience.
>
> However if convenience now means that I let big brother count my toilet
> flushes, airconditioner cycles in the bedroom and how often I recharge
> my mobile phone - I guess, I will be exploring "sustainable" off grid a
> little more closely. 
>
> [Sustainable does not equal anything to do with solar panels @ 15% or
> lower efficiency]
>
>   
????

I have some friends in the Southern Tablelands who have never been 
"on-grid". The place was solar from day one, mostly because that was 
cheaper than getting someone to run a line several km for the grid 
connection. The only missing "mod con" is an air conditioner.

In what way is a system like that not sustainable?

RC
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