Power To The People A Smart Energy Move
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday May 30, 2007
HOUSEHOLDS and businesses will be able to monitor their energy use and carbon footprint with the click of a computer mouse in the power networks of the future.
And they will be able to seamlessly tap into renewable energy sources for power in the home or workplace.The chief executives of utilities responsible for delivering electricity to more than 118 million customers in some of the world's largest cities were in the Hunter yesterday to inspect green energy initiatives.The group including the bosses of Consolidated Edison in New York, Tokyo Electric Power and EDF Energy in London are in Australia for the first time to take part in an international think-tank with EnergyAustralia considering technology in future supply networks. EnergyAustralia managing director George Maltabarow said yesterday climate change was one of the most significant issues faced by the electricity supply industry.He said the International Utility Working Group was established to bring together organisations sharing the common challenge of delivering reliable electricity supply to densely populated major global cities. The network of the future would allow customers to better manage their energy needs through smart meters."One aspect we are looking at is putting more options for energy efficiency into our customers' hands, in the home or in an office," Mr Maltabarow said.Smart meters, which can monitor power use, are already being installed in homes and businesses.Future technology could allow customers to monitor their energy use and carbon footprint."In years to come we envisage things like pay-as-you-go electricity, the ability to remotely control smart homes and appliances and the connection and control of small-scale renewable power sources, such as solar cells," he said.The executive group visited green energy initiatives at CSIRO's National Solar Energy Centre, at Mayfield, and Macquarie Generation's solar technology at Liddell Power Station.New York's Consolidated Edison chief executive Kevin Burke said the Hunter's initiatives were at the forefront of energy-saving technology."People the world over want a reliable source of electricity to retain quality of life in the home and the workplace and they want improved energy efficiency," he said.
© 2007 Newcastle Herald
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