Switchwise.com.au Blog

Archive for May, 2010

Energy Australia to roll out 4G wireless for smart grid

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Following successful trials across sites around Newcastle and Sydney, Energy Australia this week announced that it had commenced the next stage of its smart grid roll-out – installation of a 4G WiMAX wireless network that will transmit information between smart meters located in households and EnergyAustralia’s back-end systems. The spectrum for this network is being provided by Wireless Broadband Australia (WBA) – a Seven Group Holdings Limited company.

According to Energy Australia Managing Director George Maltabarow, the 4G network “will allow communication with up to 2 million smart devices on the electricity grid”.

The 4G wireless network is required to transmit real-time data from sub-stations and field devices back to the Energy Australia IT systems to enable provision of useful, real-time information to support faster responses to power outages, potential changes in the grid from renewable energy and electric vehicles, and provide consumers with better information about their energy use to make better decisions about how they use appliances in their homes.

4G sites have already been established at Gan Gan Hill at Nelson Bay and at EnergyAustralia sites at Broadmeadow, Merewether, Mayfield West, The Hill, Wallsend, Lidcombe and Homebush.

The network will be progressively rolled out once suitable sites have been surveyed and identified with the next sites planned being EnergyAustralia substations at Lane Cove, Leightonfield, Bass Hill and Meadowbank in Sydney.

Australians can now reduce energy use with Google PowerMeter

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

SmartNow Media Release

Thanks to a major new initiative launched by Google and Current Cost, the leading global manufacturer of real-time displays (RTDs), householders will now be able to sign-up to Google PowerMeter, a free online tool that connects to Current Cost devices, enabling users to receive real-time energy information on their customised Google homepage, wherever they are.

“This is a great opportunity for Australians to take control of their bills and stop wasting money on electricity they do not need,” says Ian Ballantyne, Technical Director of SmartNow, the Australasian distributor for Current Cost.

“Without real-time information, trying to reduce a power bill is like trying to reduce a monthly grocery bill without knowing any prices. With the real-time information from Google PowerMeter and a Current Cost ENVI, The Graham restaurant in Port Melbourne discovered that leaving the coffee machines on overnight was costing up to $3000 a year.”

“As a result of our landmark agreement with Google, users now have immediate and flexible access to information that will enable them to change their energy habits,” says Current Cost Managing Director, Martin Dix.

“Both parties are very excited about the new partnership which aims to empower people to cut energy wastage, minimise costs and reduce their carbon footprint.”

The ability to offer customers total flexibility with bespoke products has always been a key focus for Current Cost. Now, its preferred partner collaboration with Google will allow real-time data on how much energy is being consumed in the home to be sent directly to the Google PowerMeter.

This free software tool then visualises the information for users to view on their own iGoogle homepage, a personal web portal which enables individuals to create and access a wide range of customisable information, web feeds and Google Gadgets.

Current Cost’s engaging and interactive devices are already being used by well over a million domestic users globally. Leading the battle against energy waste and improving domestic energy efficiency as a whole remains a top priority for the technology specialist, reinforcing campaigns by the UK Government and associated bodies such as Act on CO2 and 10:10 that have also put the spotlight on reducing domestic energy wastage in the UK.

“As individuals, we all have a part to play in reducing our impact on the environment – and we can make a real difference,” says Dix. “In the area of reducing domestic energy wastage in particular, Google and Current Cost are providing the tools and information to do the job.”

Current Cost real-time displays, including the class-leading ENVI, are available from SmartNow.

Thanks to a major new initiative launched by Google and Current Cost, the leading global
manufacturer of real-time displays (RTDs), householders will now be able to sign-up to Google
PowerMeter, a free online tool that connects to Current Cost devices, enabling users to receive
real-time energy information on their customised Google homepage, wherever they are.
“This is a great opportunity for Australians to take control of their bills and stop wasting money on
electricity they do not need,” says Ian Ballantyne, Technical Director of SmartNow, the
Australasian distributor for Current Cost.
“Without real-time information, trying to reduce a power bill is like trying to reduce a monthly
grocery bill without knowing any prices. With the real-time information from Google PowerMeter
and a Current Cost ENVI, The Graham restaurant in Port Melbourne discovered that leaving the
coffee machines on overnight was costing up to $3000 a year.”
“As a result of our landmark agreement with Google, users now have immediate and flexible
access to information that will enable them to change their energy habits,” says Current Cost
Managing Director, Martin Dix.
“Both parties are very excited about the new partnership which aims to empower people to cut
energy wastage, minimise costs and reduce their carbon footprint.”
The ability to offer customers total flexibility with bespoke products has always been a key focus
for Current Cost. Now, its preferred partner collaboration with Google will allow real-time data on
how much energy is being consumed in the home to be sent directly to the Google PowerMeter.
Current Cost/Google PowerMeter
This free software tool then visualises the information for users to view on their own iGoogle
homepage, a personal web portal which enables individuals to create and access a wide range of
customisable information, web feeds and Google Gadgets.
Current Cost’s engaging and interactive devices are already being used by well over a million
domestic users globally. Leading the battle against energy waste and improving domestic energy
efficiency as a whole remains a top priority for the technology specialist, reinforcing campaigns by
the UK Government and associated bodies such as Act on CO2 and 10:10 that have also put the
spotlight on reducing domestic energy wastage in the UK.
“As individuals, we all have a part to play in reducing our impact on the environment – and we can
make a real difference,” says Dix. “In the area of reducing domestic energy wastage in particular,
Google and Current Cost are providing the tools and information to do the job.”
Current Cost real-time displays, including the class-leading ENVI, are available from SmartNow.
For more information on the Google PowerMeter and to order the Current Cost ENVI real-time
display log on to www.SmartNow.com.au

Click Energy steps into fight for Queensland customers

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Click Energy, a specialist online electricity retailer operating in Victoria, this week launched into the Queensland retail electricity market. They become the ninth power company in the market competing to win customers in Brisbane and south-east Qld.

Click Energy is offering Queenslanders a $50 online sign-up rebate plus a 7 per cent prompt payment discount on the regulated retail tariffs with its ClickQuick and ClickEasy plans. It is also offering a 25 per cent GreenPower plan, called ClickNatural, for no extra cost above the regulated retail tariffs. All plans are free from fixed term commitments and termination fees.

To compare Click Energy’s new Qld offers simply enter your postcode on our homepage. Visit our main site if you would like to know more about electricity in Queensland.