Genesis plans high-tech power metering system

Estimated electricity bills and meter men are on the way out as Genesis Energy prepares to rollout its new advanced metering system.
The company, which has a 75 per cent market share in Wairarapa, won't begin installation of the wireless meters in the region until 2011 at the earliest, Genesis public affairs manager Richard Gordon said.
"It means the end of estimates, the data will be accurate and for the bulk of customers it will mean they won't need to provide access to meter readers inside their property we'll basically be shredding a lot of keys," he said.
"The meters are wireless and 'talk' via the Vodafone cellular network to our billing system," Mr Gordon said.
The new meters will be installed at no charge to users unless dangerous or obsolete wiring is discovered behind old meter boxes and needs to be repaired or replaced, Mr Gordon said.
He said some customers in remote rural areas would still get the new boxes but may still require manual meter reading.
"The new technology will enable Genesis Energy to provide significant benefits for its customers by removing the need for estimated bills and the need for physical meter reading, in particular those meters that require internal access to houses and commercial properties. Customers with advanced meters can expect to receive a bill based on actual usage every month," Mr Gordon said.
Genesis Energy has signed a contract with Vector's NGC Metering to provide advanced metering services to its customers. The new meters will be owned by NGC Metering.
With services provided by Advanced Metering Services a joint venture between Vector and Siemens. There will be no additional cost to its customers.
Genesis Energy's chief executive Murray Jackson said the company's recent multi-million dollar investment in back-office technology has given it the ability to take immediate advantage of new advanced metering technology.
"Not only are advanced meters less intrusive, in time they will give customers the ability to see their daily consumption in graphical formats.
"They will begin to get a much better understanding of how much energy they are consuming and when they are consuming it. This is a powerful new tool for the people of New Zealand to manage their personal energy use," Mr Jackson said.