Smart meter monitoring

[bw23198]

I'd like to begin monitoring my whole home electricity usage.  The idea is to control light timers, HVAC, etc. based on daily usage.  Anyway, I'm a bit lost on what my options are.  (I already have my whole house controlled with Insteon switches/Ecobee thermostats/eISY controller, etc.  I'm really just looking for options for monitoring power usage).

I live in north Texas and my energy provider is Oncor.  I have a smart meter and I can log into a website (smartmetertexas.com) and view usage data (although it's a couple days old).  There's also an option on the site to request a real-time meter reading on demand.  

Is there an option to interface with this site and import meter readings into eISY?  Or do I have to buy some sort of hardware to clamp onto my breaker box and interface with it?

-Brian

[tazman]

I don't know what your electric company offers but Emporia Energy which I use their Vue model and they also have a unit that can connect directly to som meters. With the Vue model you put CT's on the Mains in your panel to see total energy in and out if you have solar and you can get it with smaller CT's to monitor individual circuits. There is a node server to tie it into ISY through PG3

https://forum.universal-devices.com/forum/295-vue/

[bw23198]

Thanks.  I'll take a look at the Vue, but I was hoping there's an option that didn't require additional hardware.  If the usage data is already being collected, and can be requested on-demand through the website, is there a way to programmatically grab that data?

-Brian

[tazman]

When you get the information how recent is it? You could search Github.com for your electric company to see if someone has a program to get the information but unless you are a programmer or know one who has the same provider I doubt you will ever see it in PG3X.

[Geddy]

@bw23198 you might be better served by contacting UD directly. Either by their contact us page or a support ticket. Perhaps they have more detailed information related to your energy provider and/or the equipment they use. 

https://www.universal-devices.com/contact-us/

https://www.universal-devices.com/my-tickets/

 

[paulbates]

There are several approaches.

• There are powerline standards for integration, reporting.. even control. It does depend on the power company's technology offerings (as already mentioned). Open ADR is one supported by the eisy It does cost more but I'm guessing you could trade up.
   
• Dealing with demand pricing. My electrical service is provided with demand pricing- not optional. M-F, 3pm-7pm... the electricity is much more expensive:
  • Capable devices: I have an ecobee too. The ecobee app lets me input the demand schedule into the ecobee. It automatically cools down a few degrees right before 3pm, runs at a higher setpoint until 7pm. I also have an iox program that shows the ecobee running the blower motor during that time to move the air around.
     
  • Direct eisy/iox control. I have an iox program that runs "then" lines at the demand period start and else at the demand period end. I have iox statements in the program to turn things off. Right now I have my basement dehumidifier controlled there... off during demand and on outside of demand. As I find more things that make material sense to control, I'll add them to the program

[bw23198]

Thanks, all.  This gives me some ideas.  I may look into writing something myself.  It's been a while since I've gotten my hands dirty.