Dear Readers: HWS has recently started a new project for the students of engineering ====> The Engineering Projects


Write at HWS !!!

Guest Posting

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Cut Your Electricity Bills


Digital electric meters being installed throughout North Texas could be sabotaged, according to security experts. 

Unlike analog electric meters that have a wheel that spins and dials that record total electric use, the so-called "smart meters" are digital with a tiny computer and wireless communication capability.

"There's a little processor in here doing the work now; there's software," said Mitchell Thornton at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Mitchell works in the HACNet Lab at SMU's Computer Science and Engineering Department, which is studying potential problems hackers could cause with the new digital meters.

"They could cause some kind of mass disconnect for the neighborhood or part of the grid," said Suku Nair, of HACNet. "It could be the whole Dallas area."


Workers with North Texas electric provider Oncor are fanning out across the region to replace more than three million of the old analog meters with the new "smart" meters in the next few years.

"That's one of the largest and most comprehensive exchanges in the country," said Oncor spokesperson Carol Peters.

Customers have already started paying for the meters with a state-approved rate hike of $2.21 a month for the next 11 years, a total of $291.72 per meter.

The company says it is a good deal for customers.

"We anticipate there will be about $200 to $300 a year savings just from the knowledge that consumers gain from these meters," Peters said.

Instead of waiting for a monthly power bill to arrive to track your usage, a wireless device -- sold separately -- could read the smart meter constant.

 "They will also be able to decide, 'When's the best time to run the air conditioner? When's the best time to run the washer or dryer?'" Peters said.

Smart meters offer several advantages for power companies. Constant monitoring allows more accurate power generation and distribution.

"Every 15 minutes, Oncor will be reading a meter," Peters said. "In the past, we've done once a month."

And the meters approved for Texas give companies the ability to remotely connect and disconnect customers. 

But that also poses a security concern, experts say. If the company can remotely disconnect service through a smart meter, a hacker could do so, too.
 
Click here To check the Video.

About the Author

I am XEO Hacker, the founder of Hack With Style (HWS). I am blogging since 2009 before that I just search things and now I am sharing my knowledge through this plateform.I'm also a freelance writer on topics related to Website Hacking,Website Optimization (SEO), blogger customizations and making money online.
In 61 people's circles

Subscribe To Get FREE Tutorials!


Respected Readers:
As a 21 year old student, the only income I rely on is my pocket money. Bearing the running costs of HWS Blog has become really difficult. We educate thousands of bloggers a week with our tutorials. To help us go forward with the same spirit, a small contribution from your side will highly be appreciated.

0 comments:

Confused? Feel free to ask

Your feedback is always appreciated. I will try to reply to your queries as soon as time allows.
Note:-
Please do not spam Spam comments will be deleted immediately upon my review.

Regards,
XEO Hacker

Post a Comment

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More

 

Recent Posts

Join Me On Facebook

700+ Followers

Followers


meet women in Ukraine contatore visite website counter
DMCA.com

Recent Comments

Follow Me On Twitter

1112+ Followers