Smart Billing. An open invitation to raise prices.

Same general principle as the old 'off peak' tariffs (R7, E10 etc) I suspect - which usually charge more for 'peak' than a flat tariff.  People won't opt for them if they think they'll be worst off by doing so.  Those who can time shift a substantial proportion their consumption will like them (e.g. some EV owners, or the likes of storage heating where they can use intelligent controls to pick the cheapest rate over 24hours, or those with local electrical storage) - and in doing so help balance the grid to the benefit of all.

I thought one supplier already offered something like that for domestic and I believe that some big industrial consumers has been working on a similar basis for years - even occasionally getting paid to reduce consumption at difficult times.

   - Andy.

Providing peak generating capacity is expensive in calm weather, no problem in windy weather.

Therefore those who consume electricity at such times could reasonably expect to pay more. This should however be done in an open, transparent and easy to understand way. I have a cynical suspicion that the intention is to "sneak in" some form of peak pricing, in the hope that customers wont notice, and also not to offer any discount at times when supply is plentiful.

This is very much the "thin end of the wedge". Consumers do not have any control over the weather but are to be charged prices that depend on certain weather conditions. That is simply not fair and points out why a "smart" meter is simply a way to control demand, whilst demanding that everyone moves to electric everything. Isn't it amazing that the Government has no plan to provide the power for their Green dreams? I imagine that some so called "expert" has told them a story in exchange for a large sum of money. Good work if you can get it!

I doubt that this will change human behaviour. Does anybody give a moment's thought to the cost when they turn on the lights, or washing machine, or WHY? They might do so if they had to put a coin in the slot beforehand.

Does anybody give a moment's thought to the cost when they turn on the lights, or washing machine, or WHY?

I think they do - our washing machine is usually delayed until a sunny part of the day to make the best use of our PV. I know others with conventional off-peak supplies that run the washing at night.

As the system becomes established, some "smart" appliances will be able to time their operation automatically.

   - Andy.

In some countries there is area  pulsed switching on the 11kV network that can turn off a ripple relay on the consumers immersion water heater and storage heaters circuits.  If you accept this inconvenience you get a reduced rate of around 25% on the unit cost..

The utility guarantees the heaters will be on for at least 8 hours per 24 hour day but not when.  This could well suit distribution network operators as a way of load shedding at peak times although they may prefer to introduce voltage reduction by tap locking the 11kV regulators and then give no discounts as an emergency measure.