Feds call for smart grid bid

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 29 October 2009 10:19

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The Federal Government has invited bids to roll out Australia's first commercial-scale smart electricity grid.

A $A100 million project to deploy Australia's first commercial-scale smart electricity grid has been officially launched by Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy; Peter Garrett, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts; and Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy, and Minister for Tourism.

"Like an 'energy internet', smart grids enable energy to be delivered where and when it is required, improving reliability and reducing losses; the potential economic and environmental benefits are staggering," said Garrett.
 
"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 megatonnes of carbon emissions per annum."

Conroy found an National Broadband Network (NBN) angle: "The National Broadband Network is intended to enable a whole range of efficiency and productivity gains across the economy, including in the energy sector. This smart grid project is an important start point as we move to ensure Australia gains maximum value from our broadband investments."

Bids have been invited from consortia led by electricity distributors and possibly including electricity retailers, product and service suppliers, governments, academic bodies, consumer interest groups and other non-government organisations.

Bids must be lodged by late January 2010.

"This program is a good opportunity to test the costs and benefits of smart grid and smart meter applications before a wider regulated rollout of smart meters in certain jurisdictions in coming years," said Ferguson.