In that case, at its simplest level, limiting instantaneous power draw fixes the problem.   Supplement this by an ihd that connects to EV charger and heat pump, and also measures import power, problem solved.  No need for internet or Indeed any external connectivity, thus no need for security.

Really not that difficult.  The only infrastructure requirement is to swap the current main fuses for ones that blow in say 10s or whatever the grid needs, plus an escalating charge for call outs which doubles each time the call out is requested.  Alternatively can smart meters already do limiting?

@jamespa It looks to me as though there are two possible options to curb the peak demand from domestic users. One being that we have to rely on consumers being sensible and responsible - the more likely option I feel is to embrace technology to handle the problem. Human error (and commitment) sounds like an unlikely option to me.☹️ Toodles.

Posted by: @toodles

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It looks to me as though there are two possible options to curb the peak demand from domestic users. [...]

No. The starting point must be price.

Not only is Price the concept which consumers are already used to, and therefore able to be built upon,
but it must be a factor when anything to do with Smart Meters is involved.

Posted by: @jamespa

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Alternatively can smart meters already do limiting?

Yes. That is an option.

There are lots of functions related to Power measurement within Electric Smart Metering Equipment (ESMEs).
The Energy Suppliers have only implemented those of interest to them.

They're able to do that because the Regulator hasn't enforced the full SMETS2 specification...
which is what us consumers would find helpful!

Here's four bits of the SMETS2 Specification concerning Power, which I've bolted together.
That's why there are gaps in the numbering.

I'm not convinced that there needs to be anything more done to limit power input to the house.

We certainly can't be proposing any different type/value of Service Fuse.
That's a No-No because it's defined by safety parameters.

I'm not suggesting installing a FADeR instead of an IHD.

The Home Area Network (HAN) can have many different devices added to it, so the existing IHD can remain.

Posted by: @jamespa

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No need for internet or Indeed any external connectivity, thus no need for security.

Erm... I wrote earlier that we do need internet connectivity in order to obtain data from the DNO and weather forecast for example.

But the communication would have to be instigated by the FADeR.

It won't be possible for an external 3rd-party to send commands to, or interrogate, the FADeR.
That's a tighter constraint than we currently have for Smart Meters, and there's no evidence of anyone trying to send packets to them across cell-networks.

Posted by: @toodles

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One being that we have to rely on consumers being sensible and responsible

I think we can rule that out without further discussion.

Posted by: @toodles

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the more likely option I feel is to embrace technology to handle the problem 

Absolutely.  The question is what should the technology do?  Command and control or distributed?.  It's the ethernet vs token ring discussion (exactly the same same high level problem, shared resource with more than sufficient  capacity on average but not sufficient capacity if everyone shouts at once, and a significant part of the demand that is not particularly time sensitive)

Posted by: @transparent

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I'm not convinced that there needs to be anything more done to limit power input to the house.

 

based on the information I have I completely agree, although I can see that this creates an allocation problem (how to decide teh limit  -I believe France do it by price) and a problem of unnecessary over-restriction of resource when there is spare capacity (which is presumably most of the time).

I frequently pull people up when they criticise Government without knowing the full facts, so I must be careful not to fall into the same trap myself.  So before I criticise the it, what are the constraints (political or technical) forcing NESO into the current, apparently clumsy, command and control strategy?

Posted by: @transparent

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Erm... I wrote earlier that we do need internet connectivity in order to obtain data from the DNO and weather forecast for example.

But the communication would have to be instigated by the FADeR.

Limiting power to the house doesnt need internet connectivity.  Internet connectivity is only needed to override the limits in times of plenty.

Posted by: @transparent

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We certainly can't be proposing any different type/value of Service Fuse.
That's a No-No because it's defined by safety parameters.

Fair enough, but power can be limited in other ways with the service fuse as a backstop.