Cutting Through the Complexity: A Plea for Efficiency in Data Access
Three months ago, I submitted a request to a Meter Data Agent for a year's worth of a customer’s NMI data, supported by a duly signed Letter of Authority. Unfortunately, it took three months and an apologetic email to realise that my request had been inadvertently overlooked because I had failed to follow a complex, multi-stepped process for data access.
With over two decades of experience managing aggregation companies and consulting in Demand Response aggregation, I find myself questioning the complexity of this process. Shouldn't a signed authority from the end-use customer be sufficient for data access? In some jurisdictions, you don’t even need an authority for Commercial and Industrial customer meter data. The recent email made me ponder the unnecessary complications in our industry and who truly benefits from them.
Metering agents, it's time to lift your game. The impact of delayed or denied data access goes beyond inconveniencing aggregators – it affects end-use customers, causing missed opportunities or delaying them, and eroding the credibility of aggregators. It's crucial to consider the end-user perspective in our pursuit of your bureaucratic processes.
My plea extends to the AEMC, urging a return to first principles. As consumers, it is our consumption that is being measured, we pay for metering services, making the data about our consumption inherently ours. Requests for this data, backed by signed authorities, should be fulfilled promptly and with minimal hurdles.
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It would also be immensely helpful to have meter data available from one agency for all the NEM and in the same format. We would only need one process to follow to access that data too! Imagine the positive impact and efficiency if we could access comprehensive data seamlessly. Now, wouldn't that be a pleasant change?
Remember, meter data belongs to consumers, respecting the urgency of timely data access is crucial for all players in the energy industry. Let's encourage, not impede, the flow of information.
What are your thoughts on meter data and easy access to it?
#EnergyIndustry #DataAccess #ConsumerRights # SimplifyProcesses
Project & Change Management
1 年Interesting article Michael; in Banking if a customer requests their data we are obliged to provide it. It’s likely everyone assumes the same where their own data is being held… ??
Chartered Tax Advisor; Director Financial Engineering Concepts Pty Ltd
1 年Couldn’t agree more with you Michael
Smart Building Services Founder -Director of Products & Innovation
1 年Agree entirely Michael Zammit, We quite often ask for clients data so we can show it with sub-metering data on our Netstream ( https://sbs.digital/collections/netstream ) platform. Some requests take more than 3 months despite having the client’s written consent. It appears there is a reluctance to supply this data.. sometimes it is more expedient to install another sub-meter at the gate meter location which is more costly, but far less hassle.
Head of Future Business, JET Charge
1 年Hear hear Michael - providing data is their core business activity so there no excuse for this inertia
Principal Consultant at Buildings Evolved
1 年Have been speaking with the AER about the CDR and extending it to medium-large enterprises, and inclusion of interval data (nem12 would be great!). It shouldn't be this hard, and something easy for government to do to help unlock demand flex. Comparatively small investment, big returns.