Australia's Smart Grid A Step Closer

 

The Australian Government yesterday announced the next step in transforming Australia’s ageing electricity grid into a "smart grid" through the release of a report.
 
Environment Minister, Peter Garrett said the Smart Grid, Smart City report provides insights into how smart grids can work in Australia. 
 
"From the power plant to the power point, smart grids enable a two-way flow of information between energy suppliers and consumers. Linking all these energy data points creates a web of information so that energy can be delivered where and when it is required; the potential economic benefits of creating an Internet for the energy industry are staggering."
 
Smart grids help electricity companies better handle loads and assist in incorporating renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar power. 
 
A smart grid can also identify and resolve faults on the electricity grid and automatically "self-heal".
 
For consumers, smart meters will help people better manage their energy use and make informed choices about when and how they use electricity. Additionally, smart meters will make each house solar energy and wind power ready
 
"Early estimates show that if smart grid applications are adopted around Australia they could deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to the Australian economy, including an estimated minimum reduction of 3.5 mega-tonnes of carbon emissions per annum," Minister Garrett said. 
 
The Australian Government will invest up to $100 million to develop the Smart Grid, Smart City demonstration project in partnership with the energy sector. Submissions from industry consortiums wishing to participate in the project will be assessed by an independent panel and the successful consortium announced by Government early in 2010.
 
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is also seeking public comment on the draft guidelines for the National Energy Efficiency (Smart Grid, Smart City) Initiative.
 
You can also have your say about Australia's smart grid in our forums
 

Suntech Flips The Switch On 10MW Solar Farm

 

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), has announced the completion and grid connection of the first 10 megawatt utility-scale PV-based solar farm in China .
   
Located in Shizuishan, Ningxia Autonomous Region, the 10MW ground mount solar farm is the first stage of a 50MW solar plant due for completion by 2011.
 
The 10MW Shizuishan system is currently powered by more than 37,000 Suntech solar panels. The project will displace an estimated 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
  
The plant is being constructed in partnership with the China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation (CECIC), a state-owned enterprise and the largest energy company in China. Suntech designed, installed and will manage the solar farm.
  
Under a strategic agreement announced earlier this year, Suntech and CECIC will develop more large scale grid connect solar projects, urban building integrated PV projects, rural off-grid solar farms, and wind-solar hybrid projects. CECIC's involvement will be primarily project investment and project development. Suntech will supply solar panels, system design, installation and technical support for all joint projects.
  
It's been a busy few weeks for Suntech in terms of achievements and product developments. In September, the company announced it had again beaten all previous records for polycrystalline silicon module conversion efficiency, with a record 16.53% measured by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany. Also during September, the solar panel maker unveiled a 60 cell multi-crystalline solar module called the "Wd".
 

News for Wednesday 30 September, 2009

 

• Solar Assisted Coal Plant Project Planned For Queensland
  


• Solar Powered EV Charging Stations For California
  

View all news for Wednesday 30 September, 2009 on one page

Recent News

 

• Tuesday 29 September, 2009
  


• Monday 28 September, 2009
  


• Friday 25 September, 2009
  


• Thursday 24 September, 2009
  


• Wednesday 23 September, 2009
  

News archive