I'm reviewing ComEd interval data for a large industrial customer in Madison and seeing some really strange patterns. The data shows zero usage during peak TOU windows but massive spikes during off-peak periods that don't match the facility's actual operations. Customer runs 24/7 manufacturing so usage should be fairly consistent. Anyone seen ComEd's billing system assign usage to wrong time intervals? This affects $8,000+ monthly in TOU charges.
ComEd interval data shows impossible usage patterns - billing system error?
Linda, I've seen similar issues with PacifiCorp here in Oregon. Their Smart Grid meters sometimes have clock synchronization problems that shift usage data by several hours. The billing system then applies TOU rates based on the shifted timestamps instead of actual usage times. You need to compare the interval data patterns against the customer's operational schedule to prove the discrepancy.
Clyde's onto something with the meter clock issues. Entergy had a batch of smart meters in New Orleans with faulty time synchronization chips. Usage data was being recorded up to 4 hours off from actual consumption times. This completely screwed up TOU billing for dozens of customers. The utility eventually had to manually recalculate bills for 6 months of data. Did ComEd acknowledge any meter problems in your area?
Juan, ComEd claims their meters are fine but the data clearly shows problems. I plotted hourly usage against the customer's production logs and they're completely misaligned. Peak manufacturing hours show zero usage while shutdown periods show maximum consumption. It's like the data is shifted by 6-8 hours consistently. Filed a formal complaint with the ICC yesterday demanding a full meter investigation.
Linda P., I work with Entergy customers here in Lake Charles and see similar timestamp issues occasionally. The key is documenting everything with production records, security camera timestamps, or other independent verification of actual usage patterns. Utilities hate when you can prove their data is wrong with outside evidence. What kind of facility is your client running? Manufacturing equipment typically has very predictable load patterns.
Estelle, it's a paper mill with continuous pulping operations. They run the same equipment 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance windows. The interval data should show steady baseline consumption with minor variations, not these wild swings between zero and peak usage. I've got shift supervisor logs proving equipment was running when ComEd shows zero consumption. This is definitely a billing system problem.
Linda, paper mills are perfect for catching these errors because of their consistent load profiles. I audited a similar facility in Cincinnati last year with Duke Energy. Their smart meter was recording usage but assigning random timestamps due to a firmware bug. Duke eventually replaced 200+ meters in that batch after I proved the timestamp errors. The mill got a $23,000 refund for incorrect TOU charges. Keep pushing ComEd on this.
Ruth A. is right about firmware bugs. We had Otter Tail Power replace several smart meters in Fargo due to similar timestamp issues. The meters were recording accurate kWh totals but scrambling the time intervals, which destroyed TOU billing accuracy. Ruth, did Duke admit liability easily or did you have to escalate to the PUCO? ComEd tends to stonewall until regulators get involved.
Kurt, Duke fought it initially but caved when I presented the shift logs alongside their interval data. The patterns were so obviously wrong that even their own engineers admitted the meters were faulty. Filed with PUCO as backup but didn't need to escalate. The key was having bulletproof documentation of the customer's actual operations. Linda should keep detailed records of everything for her ComEd case.
I've been following this thread with interest. OG&E here in Oklahoma City had similar smart meter issues in 2018. Turned out to be a batch of meters with defective timing circuits that drifted over time. Started accurate but gradually shifted timestamps until TOU billing became completely wrong. The utility had to replace over 500 meters and recalculate bills going back 18 months. Cost them millions in refunds and system upgrades.
Susan W., that OG&E case sounds very similar. ComEd finally agreed to send a technician to verify my client's meter next week. I've prepared a detailed comparison showing production logs versus interval data timestamps. The discrepancies are so obvious that even ComEd's field tech should be able to see the problem. Will update this thread once I get their findings.
Linda P., definitely keep us posted on what ComEd finds. These smart meter timestamp issues seem to be more common than utilities want to admit. I'm starting to recommend that all my TOU customers request monthly interval data reviews for the first year after meter installation. Catching these problems early saves huge amounts in incorrect charges. The paper mill case should be a slam dunk with your documentation.