Salvage/permanent disconnection from grid

[Gurusi]

Hey, so for the past year, we have been building an off grid system. All is good and running fine for the past few months with our meter off and using our generator as needed.

Now we’re at the point of where we feel comfortable ending our electrical service. However, I was not aware here in Alberta Canada that we would continue paying delivery charges, service fees, and riders due to the metre and electrical poles/overhead powerlines being on our property.

When I went to cancel the service, it seemed a bit of a shock to consider that they would pull all of the supply equipment on our land.

Also, we would be at cost if in the future if things don’t work out and we require a grid service again. I figured in the back of my mind that they would just leave everything there in case it was needed in the future.

Has anyone else done this? I don’t really wanna pay service delivery fees for an electricity that I’m not using. It just feels final and possibly expensive in the future. Lol.

 

[timselectric]

That's crazy.
I wouldn't only go by what they want to tell you.
But I'm sure that they can afford a much better lawyer.
Which usually means that you are screwed.
I'm sorry.

 

[AntronX]

How much does it cost per month to keep grid service but use nothing?

 

[740GLE]

If the equipment isn’t serving a customer it could be seen as a liability. Or at least they may claim that.

 

[v_green57]

Does the overhead only serve you, and nobody else?

 

[LydMekk]

I am keeping my connection for now just paying for the fees each month and a a minimum of draw when needed.
I am looking at this as my winter generator if/when I need it.
In the summer half I turn off my fuse for the input as there is way enough sun hereabouts.
For my part I pay 40 Euros each month for keeping it.
More expensive to buy a genny, tank etc. and I don't have to listen to the noise.

 

[JWLV]

Every jurisdiction has their own rules and fees that pertain to permanent disconnection. What someone tells you probably won't apply to where you live.

For example, MGM Resorts, a large casino in Las Vegas paid nearly $87 million dollars to disconnect from Nevada Power. Here's an article from a Las Vegas newspaper.

MGM Resorts to leave Nevada Power, pay $86.9M exit fee

Las Vegas gaming giant MGM Resorts International told state regulators on Thursday that it will exercise its option to exit as a customer of Nevada Power and purchase its own electricity on the who...

www.reviewjournal.com

 

[740GLE]

That sounds like it’s breaking a large power purchase agreement of the wholesale cost. The regulators are just trying not shift costs to other base rate payer.

If NV had a more active wholesale market no large C&I customer would have the default rate.

 

[Gurusi]

How much does it cost per month to keep grid service but use nothing?

Around $50-60 (cad)

 

[Gurusi]

Does the overhead only serve you, and nobody else?

Yep. It forks off on my land to a single neighbour, but they wouldn’t be affected

 

[Gurusi]

I am keeping my connection for now just paying for the fees each month and a a minimum of draw when needed.
I am looking at this as my winter generator if/when I need it.
In the summer half I turn off my fuse for the input as there is way enough sun hereabouts.
For my part I pay 40 Euros each month for keeping it.
More expensive to buy a genny, tank etc. and I don't have to listen to the noise.

I already have a generator for winter so have been topping up instead of using the grid.

 

[AntronX]

Around $50-60 (cad)

$45 American. Not too bad. Our minimum bill is $32 and comes with 200 kWh use of lose per month. Keep the grid as your backup.

 

[Gurusi]

$45 American. Not too bad. Our minimum bill is $32 and comes with 200 kWh use of lose per month. Keep the grid as your backup.

I don’t know, paying this every month for a service I’m not using. I may be better to put the money aside and if I need the grid back, I have cash for the reconnection. What if I remain grid free for 10 years.

 

[houseofancients]

I am keeping my connection for now just paying for the fees each month and a a minimum of draw when needed.
I am looking at this as my winter generator if/when I need it.
In the summer half I turn off my fuse for the input as there is way enough sun hereabouts.
For my part I pay 40 Euros each month for keeping it.
More expensive to buy a genny, tank etc. and I don't have to listen to the noise.

Do the same...

 

[zanydroid]

What is the reconnection fee and likelihood of selling the property?

What is the impact if you need to sell the property but there are objections b/c it has no hookup and there's a backlog to hooking it up?

What is your backup plan if the vendor or person in the household is no longer able to service the off-grid system and there is an issue?

 

[740GLE]

If they are removing a transformer and say a span of triplex and meter box, that’s typically 10k to connect back to the grid.

Sometimes you can get the utility to make you a sweetheart deal on that fee if they know they are going to make that money back for a high consumption user. They financials work out for the utility for a cheaper service connect fee on high KWHr/month bill forever vs zero consumption user.

My only thought is for resale, sure everyone thinks it’s their forever house but any money saved today for not paying that monthly bill will be washed away in who ever buys the house 5-10-18 years from now.

 

[Reed Cole]

Going completely off grid when the grid is right there seems short sighted. You never know what life is going to throw your way. Just think of it as an insurance payment, hopefully you won't have to use it but you'll be glad if you ever need to.

 

[Solar Guppy]

My thought is unless one has built a utility grade power system ( availability wise, is fully redundant and hot spares for all subsystems ) and have other skilled people in the household that are available 24/7 to deal with failures, it's not the same as the grid and to think it is would be is foolish.

A monthly charge to cover when your home brew system goes belly up is the cheapest back up option. At least think though what happens if equipment fails, or is stolen , acts of god ( lightning, floods etc. ) or you are not available to get things running and then have a plan.

 

[Gurusi]

For anyone else reading this in a similar situation (only relevant in my province). It appears it was either a scare tactic or miscommunication between the electric provider and the utility company.

I canceled/permanent disconnected with my electric provider and was told the same as the initial post (keep the ability to hookup and pay per month or don’t pay and lose equipment to the property).

I got a call from the utility provider about 3hrs later saying there is a much easier option for both parties. They will only pull the meter and I won’t have to pay monthly fees. I of course agreed immediately as I can reconnect at a much more affordable cost if needed and they don’t have to spend time and labor removing equipment unnecessarily.

This also helps with the posted what if scenarios above (which myself and wife had discussed similarly as well)

 

[400bird]

How about instead of running the gen in the winter, take the quiet solution and charge from/run on grid power?