It will take me a little while to respond to all that.
But as a quick guide to the way we're being treated, check out this summary of what the DECC considers to be "benefits" of Smart Meters. (Smart Metering Implementation Programme: Statement of Design Requirements Ref p8)
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Table 2 ? Impact assessment benefits
Consumer Benefits
Energy savings
Load shifting
Customer Switching
Time-of-use tariffs
CO2 reduction
Supplier Benefits
Avoided meter reading
Inbound enquiries
Customer service overheads
Debt handling
Avoided prepayment costs (domestic only)
Remote disconnection
Avoided site visit
Other Benefits
Reduced losses
Reduced theft
Microgeneration
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It will not have escaped the keen of eye that, not only are "Consumer Benefits" in the minority - but most are not in fact benefits to the consumer!
The only thing benefitting the consumer is "Energy saving", by which DECC just means we'll decide to turn our heating down, lights off etc. Which, er, we can do already.
"CO2 reduction" means the govt may meet its carbon targets when we do this energy saving. Which might benefit everyone - or not, depending on the Chinese - but isn't a benefit to the consumer as such.
"Customer switching" just means we can still change power companies as now. (It's listed as a requirement because, done badly, smart meters could make it harder to switch.)
"Load shifting" and "Time-of-use tariffs". These are the meat of smart metering. There's a more detailed explanation at Points (3) & (4), pp2-3 on smart meter thread, but here's a summary.
This "benefit" consists of being able to do your laundry or have a shower or cook during notified hours, on particular days, rather than any time on any day.
You may be underwhelmed by this being described as a "benefit"! Because right now you can use what you like, when you like. That's about to change.
The power companies, backed by DECC, are about to attack demand for power by hugely putting the price up during peak demand, or when the wind doesn't blow. Ie like Economy 7, but without the predictability. And for gas as well as electricity.
It's rationing of power by ability to pay.
Now maybe, if we had a national debate, we would decide that ability to pay is the best way to ration an essential good like power, rather than, say, per capita, or a mix of both. Then again, we might decide that a rationing method which will have little impact on the rich and SAHPs, but disproportionately hit the poor and those who can't choose when they do laundry, cook, etc, is not a great way forward.
Either way, we should be having that national debate.
I don't notice much national debate in either of British Gas's posts. Nor the word "rationing."
But I do see the word "benefit". The primary people benefitting from smart meters are the power companies. Who in addition to DECC-sanctioned rationing have snuck through a raft of functions (more on other thread) of benefit only to themselves, not UK energy efficiency.
As this DECC impact assessment (p2) states, "Total consumer benefits amount to £4.64bn and include savings from reduced energy consumption (£4.60bn), and microgeneration (£36m). Total supplier benefits amount to £8.57bn and include avoided site visits (£3.18bn), and reduced inquiries and customer overheads (£1.24bn)."