[ale] [OT] Load Control Switch

[Randy]

On 4/13/2011 9:09 PM, Mike Harrison wrote:
> Disclaimer: I am in the "smart meter business" and I am currently in S.
> America on limited bandwidth (installing "smart" meter systems),
> so I can't watch the youtube video, etc..
>
> PLEASE STOP SPREADING THE FUD.
>
> Smart meters are about (in my perceived order):
>
>     Theft/tamper detection
>
>     Quality/load detection
>
>     Time of use billing (it is coming, sooner in the TVA area)
>
>     Prepaid electricity (meter turns off automatically. reconnects automatically)
>
>     "Credit Control" same as prepaid for arrears billing customers, power
>     turns off at bill due date + 3 days typically, or limits to your deposit amount of usage.
>
> Most of them 'chatter" RF at 900mhz or 2.4ghz (or licensed freqs) at very
> low power at very low bandwidth at occaisional times. ie: 1 to 4 times a
> day to some "constant" systems.
>
> On topic: Our servers are Linux based.. Ubuntu 10.04 currently. Some of
> the newer meters have Linux or Linux derived internals. A lot of the
> "smart grid" com gear is Linux based. Great stuff.
>    

Interesting, since you're in the business, I'd like to get your take on
the 'Big Brother' and data mining capabilities of smart meters.

Lee Tien, Senior Staff Attorney for EFF, /appears/ to have some valid
concerns involving privacy issues:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2010/09/22/interview-with-eff-how-smart-meters-violate-our-right-to-privacy/

-or- http://bit.ly/dTdFto


Lastly, how vulnerable are 'smart meters' to malicious hacking and/or packet
sniffing? Have there been any reported instances of teens driving
through subdivisions shutting off power,,,, yet?



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