The Smart Grid, Smart City (SGSC) project rolled out Australia's first commercial-scale smart grid. The project was delivered and funded by the Australian Government in partnership with Ausgrid, EnergyAustralia and their consortium partners IBM Australia, GE Energy Australia, Sydney and Hunter Water, and Newcastle City Council.
The Australian Government announced a $100 million grant for the National Energy Efficiency Initiative (‘Smart Grid, Smart City’) which was complemented by more than $400 million in cash and in-kind contributions committed by the project consortium.
The aim was to gather robust information about the costs and benefits of smart grids in a real world context. This will help inform future decisions by government, electricity providers, technology suppliers and consumers across Australia. To this end, the project tested a range of smart grid technologies and applications across grid and customer scenarios including distributed generation and storage trials and a search for synergies with other infrastructure (such as gas and water) and the National Broadband Network. (Further information on what has been trialed can be found within the Smart Grid, Smart City website). The trials were based in Newcastle, New South Wales, but also cover areas in Sydney CBD, Newington and Ku-Ring-Gai, and the rural township of Scone.
Timeline
The project commenced in October 2010 and the trials were completed by 28 February 2014. The project's final report will be published towards the end of the 2013-14 financial year.
About smart grids
A smart grid works by combining advanced communication, sensing and metering infrastructure with the existing electricity network. Smart grids have enormous potential to improve the efficiency of Australia's electricity sector and transform the way Australians use energy in their homes and businesses.
A smart grid can improve the reliability of electricity services for consumers by identifying and resolving faults on the electricity grid, better managing voltage and identifying infrastructure requiring maintenance. Smart grids can also help consumers better manage their individual electricity consumption and costs through the use of energy efficient 'smart appliances' and pricing structures. .
Smart Grid, Smart City - Information Clearing House
The SGSC Information Clearing House is an interactive portal that gives interested parties access to program reports, technology trial results, raw data and query tools for activities associated with the only commercial scale project of its kind in Australia.
Visit the Smart Grid, Smart City - Information Clearing House for more information.
Related pages
More information
For more information go to Smart Grid, Smart City or email smartgridinitiative@industry.gov.au.
