Smart Meter FAQ Security Statement
We at Utilities Kingston are very aware of the security issues surrounding the smart meter technology and we have addressed these issues in our deployment, however some information and details we will not release for that very reason as the distribution of that type of information would expose the system.
1. Could a hacker shut my power off by hacking into my smart meter?
2. Does Kingston Hydro use an unlicensed Wifi Mesh or Grid technology to communicate to the smart meters?
3. Could a hacker modify the register reading on a smart meter?
Smart Meter FAQ's
1. I know it hasn’t started yet however, do you have a timeframe that you can provide just to give me a heads up?
2. Will the contractor have UK ID & will they being wearing UK uniforms? Or will they be wearing their own company named uniforms and ID?
3. Will the contractor try knocking on my door before shutting off the electricity & changing my meter?
4. I own a rental duplex and/or triplex and all meters are outside - will each tenant be advised by contractor #1 before the electricity disruption?
5. I own an apartment building and UK obtains a key for inside meter access, will contractor #1 be advising each tenant before electricity disruption?
6. I own buildings which I have provided UK a key for access to avoid access issues however, I did not provide authorization to any use to the contractors?
7. I live in an apartment building and I have a home business and/or I am a student working on an assignment; I am very concerned with any planned electricity disruption. I require a specific date and time advising the planned disruption; will you be sending notices out with this information? If not, who will be responsible for any lost data and/or business due to this specific planned interruption?
8. My meter is inside and I cannot book an inside access appointment during regular working hours; can you book a specific date and time for a weekend and/or evening?
9. When will I begin paying time of use rates?
10. Is there a cost to the customer for the SMART METER?
11. Will I see lower electricity bills?
12. Will someone still come to read my meter?
13. How can I read this new SMART METER?
14. Is my usage information secure and will it remain confidential?
15. Will I receive a SMART METER if I am currently with or moving to a Retailer? Will I pay time-of-use-rates?
16. Will I have to change anything to accommodate the installation of the SMART METER?
17. Is it mandatory that I have a SMART METER installed?
18. Do I need to be home for my SMART METER to be installed? What impact will be felt in my home?
19. If my meter is located inside my home how will my SMART METER be installed?
20. Will there be a cost to the customer?
21. Will Smart Metering cost me or save me money?
22. How will customers know that they have received their SMART METER?
Smart Meter FAQ Seurity Statement Answers
Q: Could a hacker shut my power off by hacking into my smart meter?
A: Utilities Kingston on behalf of Kingston Hydro is NOT utilizing a smart meter with a built in disconnect switch. What this means is that there is nothing in the meter that would allow this to occur therefore there is nothing for a hacker to “hack’ into. In almost all cases a disconnect of service would have to occur by service personnel attending the property
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Q: Does Kingston Hydro use an unlicensed Wifi Mesh or Grid technology to communicate to the smart meters?
A: Utilities Kingston on behalf of Kingston Hydro is installing a smart metering system that DOES NOT use standard WiFi technologies (unlicensed frequencies). We are in fact utilizing Industry Canada licensed frequencies with secure and redundant location/access points. For security purposes the location and number cannot be communicated
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Q: Could a hacker modify the register reading on a smart meter?
A: The article in the Whig comments on the US environment regarding an electric meter’s software and hardware. In Canada we have a different regulatory environment whereby meters are governed by Measurement Canada. As a consequence of this, Measurement Canada requires a separation between the ability of the meter to read consumption and the ability of the meter to communicate the information. So by way of an example….no one can tamper with the data the meter records at your home. If someone was able to intercept the communication of your meter information and altered that data to… let’s say inflate your consumption then that consumption can be verified by staff at your meter on the house. At that point the meter at the house is the confirmation of the true meter read. So due to Measurement Canada restrictions there is no ability to alter the data the meter collects as it is “sealed”.
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Smart Meter FAQ Answers
Q: I know it hasn’t started yet however, do you have a timeframe that you can provide just to give me a heads up?
A: Olameter, our Smart Meter Deployment Contractor, will be starting on Monday Feb 8/2010. The project will be taking place during the calendar year of 2010, with the majority of installations being completed by August, 2010
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Q: Will the contractor have UK ID & will they being wearing UK uniforms? Or will they be wearing their own company named uniforms and ID?
A: The installation contractor will wear an identification card that will show as below with their picture and name. They will be wearing contractor uniforms. They will also have signage for the dash board of their vehicles
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Q: Will the contractor try knocking on my door before shutting off the electricity & changing my meter?
A: Yes, there will be 2 contractors travelling together, contractor 1, will go to your door to advise and the second contractor will be preparing the work at your meter
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Q: I own a rental duplex and/or triplex and all meters are outside - will each tenant be advised by contractor #1 before the electricity disruption?
A: Yes, there will be an attempt made to advise the customer. If there is no response the meter will still be changed out at that time.
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Q: I own an apartment building and UK obtains a key for inside meter access, will contractor #1 be advising each tenant before electricity disruption?
A: No, in larger multi-residential buildings, that would be handled by the Superintendent of the building. The Superintendent will be provided with the information of the date, time and activity in advance in order to advise all of their tenants.
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Q: I own buildings which I have provided UK a key for access to avoid access issues however, I did not provide authorization to any use to the contractors?
A: The contractor is a professional acting on behalf of Utilities Kingston therefore; the contractor is an extension of Utilities Kingston and is covered under all UK policies and regulations.
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Q: I live in an apartment building and I have a home business and/or I am a student working on an assignment; I am very concerned with any planned electricity disruption. I require a specific date and time advising the planned disruption; will you be sending notices out with this information? If not, who will be responsible for any lost data and/or business due to this specific planned interruption?
A: In the apartment buildings it will depend on how the Superintendents advise their tenants of planned outages. It will be the Superintendents responsibility to advise the tenants
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Q: My meter is inside and I cannot book an inside access appointment during regular working hours; can you book a specific date and time for a weekend and/or evening?
A: Our contractor, Olameter will only be working during our business hours, to enable any customers that have concerns to contact our office. There will be some appointments available towards the end of the project, but not in the beginning.
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Q: When will I begin paying time of use rates?
A: Not until 2011
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Q: Is there a cost to the customer for the SMART METER?
A:The cost of the Smart Meter initiative will be recovered through the electricity rates paid by all customers in the same way the costs for existing meters and services are recovered today
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Q: Will I see lower electricity bills?
A: With time-of-use-rates, you’ll see the results of your conservation efforts and you’ll save money if you shift your heaviest electricity use to off-peak hours
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Q: Will someone still come to read my meter?
A: Yes, for the next couple of months. Ensuring you continue to receive timely and accurate billing is of primary importance. Once all systems are fully operational, we will then be able to rely fully on the SMART METER system to handle everything and discontinue manual meter reading
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Q: How can I read this new SMART METER?
A: The SMART METER displays your kWh reading in a digital format, it will cycle through to kWh.
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Q: Is my usage information secure and will it remain confidential?
A: Yes. Ontario’s electricity distribution companies are required, by law, to ensure the SMART METERS and communication networks that are put into place are equipped with security features to prevent unauthorized access to personal information. Any data that is sent to the central data repository will be provided in such a way as to prevent identification of an individual customer
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Q: Will I receive a SMART METER if I am currently with or moving to a Retailer? Will I pay time-of-use-rates?
A: Yes, you will receive a SMART METER, but your rates will be determined by the terms and conditions of the contract you choose to sign.
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Q: Will I have to change anything to accommodate the installation of the SMART METER?
A: If the customer owned meter socket base is in proper working order there should be no modifications required to accommodate the SMART METER. As long as there is nothing blocking the existing electric meter and the change of meter can be completed as needed. If there is an obstruction preventing the change of meter to be completed then the obstruction will need to be cleared. You will be notified if any modifications are required
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Q: Is it mandatory that I have a SMART METER installed?
A: Yes, SMART METERS are a critical component of our commitment to create a lasting “conservation culture”. The provincial government intends to have SMART METERS installed in every home and small business in Ontario by the end of 2010.
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Q: Do I need to be home for my SMART METER to be installed? What impact will be felt in my home?
A: Not if your meter is located outside, you don’t need to be at home. We will need to turn your power off for a brief period, while the meter change takes place, so you may need to reset some clocks and electronic equipment
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Q: If my meter is located inside my home how will my SMART METER be installed?
A: We will leave a letter, stating we were there, requesting you contact us or that someone will be in touch to make an appointment to get access to the meter. It will be a straight meter exchange and inside meters will remain inside. The old style meter will be removed and a SMART METER will be installed; the meter location will not change and remains the same
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Q: Will there be a cost to the customer?
A: An advantage of the SMART METER is that a meter reader will no longer have to enter the property to obtain a meter reading after the exchange is completed. The only time we would need to be inside is if there was an electronic malfunction. Relocating a meter from indoors to outdoors is considered a service upgrade and costs would apply for the upgrade
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Q: Will Smart Metering cost me or save me money?
A: SMART METERS will make it possible to measure when electricity is used and different prices apply at different times of the day. With time-of-use (TOU) pricing, you will have a new way to manage your electricity use and your bills. SMART METERS will help Ontario meet its energy needs. Between now and 2025, Ontario must build a whole new electricity system which includes replacing about 80% of our current generating facilities and expanding the system for future growth. Conservation will help us to make the best use of our existing electricity resources and slow the growth in our demand. SMART METERS will encourage us all to think more about how and when we use electricity
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Q: How will customers know that they have received their SMART METER?
A: There will be a post card left advising you that your SMART METER arrived today. This postcard will provide you with a phone number if you have any questions
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