What Is A Smart Meter?

 

The term "smart grid" is increasingly popping up in the news and Australian homes are starting to have smart meters installed. So what's it all about and what makes this infrastructure and equipment smart?
 
Our aging electricity infrastructure is like a leaky bucket, with a great deal of electricity lost between the points of generation and consumption. The "line loss" problem means more energy must be produced to make up the shortfall. As Australia is still so dependent on coal, this entails more environmental destruction through coal mining and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Also, alternative sources such as solar energy and wind power will become important distributed sources of energy in the future and will require the current analogue grid to become IP (Internet Protocol) enabled for effective management.
 
According to Smart Grid Australia, smart grid infrastructure is about radically transforming the ability of consumers and enterprises to find, produce, deliver, and use energy in a more cost-effective, resource efficient and environmentally sustainable way. Smart meters will play a major role in this new grid system.
 
For the consumer, a smart grid will mean meters installed in the home that can be read automatically over the network - so no more strange people in fluorescent clothing suddenly popping up in the garden. 
  
Most electricity customers currently only receive any detailed information about their electricity usage through their monthly bill. A smart meter can include a display that tells people about their current rate of electricity use and its cost, updated every 30 minutes. 
 
Smart meters will also make it easier to switch between retailers and give consumers access to value-added services from providers such as time of use tariffs and efficiency packages. 
 
An indoor display is usually provided as part of the system, but some smart meters include personal computer connectivity for consumers, so they'll be able to access all the information directly from their notebooks and desktops.
 
The introduction of smart meters across Australia will also mean that each house will be solar energy and wind power ready. Currently when installing a home solar power system, the meter often needs replacing with a bi-directional model that can measure electricity being generated as well as consumed.
 
The Victorian Government has commenced a state-wide rollout of smart  meters for all Victorian electricity customers. This rollout is due to be completed in 2013. A small number of smart meters has already been installed in New South Wales as part of a trial. 
  
According to a Council Of Australian Governments document (PDF) from earlier this year, the intended "national’ roll-out of smart meters has been lost given that only New South Wales and Victoria have provided a commitment. The Council is particularly concerned that Queensland and Western Australia, the other jurisdictions shown by as likely to realise net benefits from a distributor-led smart meter roll-out, have not committed to a roll-out and may not do so until the results of pilot programs and business cases are tabled in June 2012.
   

Renewable Energy Target Senate Inquiry Submissions Due Friday

 

In June this year, Australia's Senate referred the provisions of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2009 and the Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Charge) Amendment Bill 2009 to the Economics Legislation Committee.
 
The Renewable Energy bill seeks to implement the Government's goal of increasing the renewable energy target in Australia from 9,500 gigawatt-hours in 2010 to 45,000 gigawatt-hours in 2020. 
 
This revised target would mean at least 20 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020; so it's a very important document in relation to the environment and battling climate change through decreasing greenhouse gas emissions - increasingly shifting focus away from filthy coal-fired electricity generation, which is continuing to grow.
 
The legislation will be critical in furthering the uptake of renewable energy in this country by making provision for the appropriate framework and funding.
 
The increased target will benefit the Australian solar industry and as a flow-on effect of that, generate thousands of new green collar jobs. For the consumer, it will mean more research, development and competition in the solar marketplace, resulting in better and cheaper renewable energy products and services.
 
The Committee is inviting submissions, however, interested parties only have until 5pm, Friday 24 July 2009 - this Friday. 
 
Notes to help interested parties prepare submission are available at http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm. Alternatively, the Committee Secretariat will be able to help people with inquiries and can be contacted on telephone 02 6277 3540 or facsimile 02 6277 5719 or by email to economics.sen@aph.gov.au.
 
If you wish to make a submission, documents should be emailed to economics.sen@aph.gov.au, with your contact details in the email itself and the submission as an attached Adobe PDF or MS Word format document.
 
Alternatively, written submissions may be sent to:
 
The Secretary
Senate Economics Legislation Committee
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
 
The Economics Legislation Committee is due to report to the Senate by 12 August 2009.

News for Tuesday 21 July, 2009

 

• Tuvalu Aims For 100% Renewable Energy By 2020
  


• Australian Renewable Energy Use Increasing - But So Is Coal
  

View all news for Tuesday 21 July, 2009 on one page

Recent News

 

• Monday 20 July, 2009
  


• Friday 17 July, 2009
  


• Thursday 16 July, 2009
  


• Wednesday 15 July, 2009
  


• Tuesday 14 July, 2009
  

News archive