Smart grid likely to roll on
All major political parties have left the door open to continue to back projects aimed at improving the efficiency of electricity usage.
Since 2010 up to 30,000 households have participated in the multiyear Ausgrid-led $100 million Smart Grid, Smart City project. It aims to build a business case for key smart grid applications and technologies, and gather data to guide broader adoption.
The initiative draws to a close in September, with the major analysis due in early 2014. "A series of research projects are being done ahead of the final release of the outcomes, the most significant being an integrated cost-benefit analysis to address the total benefits of all technologies," an Ausgrid spokesman said.
Smart grids involve the deployment of new technologies such as smart meters across electricity networks, and analytics tools to assess the data captured.
While there are several smart grid pilots in Australia and a large-scale rollout in Victoria, the Canberra-funded project has been considered one of the most important in informing decisions on future investment.
Labor's Minister for Resources and Energy, Gary Gray, would not say what the party's position is following the project or if additional investment would be made. But he has not ruled out an announcement on budget day or before the election.
Shadow energy minister Ian Macfarlane committed - in a statement to IT Pro - to an evaluation of the effectiveness of the project should it win power in September.
Green's leader Christine Milne said the party would release its position closer to the election.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Ausgrid-led Smart Grid, Smart City project is a Canberra-funded multiyear initiative designed to build a business case for smart grid technologies and gather real-world data to guide broader adoption across electricity networks.
The project is a roughly $100 million initiative that has involved up to 30,000 households since it began in 2010.
The project tests smart grid technologies such as smart meters and analytics tools that capture and assess electricity-usage data to improve network efficiency.
The initiative draws to a close in September, with the major analysis due in early 2014 — including an integrated cost-benefit analysis that assesses the total benefits of the tested technologies.
All major parties have left the door open to continue backing smart grid projects, so federal support may continue regardless of which party wins, although specific commitments and announcements remain undecided.
Labor's resources minister would not specify the party's post-project position, the opposition's shadow energy minister pledged an evaluation if elected, and the Greens said they will release a position closer to the election.
Yes — the article notes several smart grid pilots around Australia and a large-scale rollout in Victoria, with the Canberra-funded Ausgrid project seen as especially important for informing future decisions.
Everyday investors should watch the project's integrated cost-benefit analysis and the final outcomes, because the data and business-case findings are intended to inform future investment decisions and potential government policy or funding announcements.
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