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Australia's Western Power partners IBM to design smart grid of the future
15 December 2009 , Written by Dhruv Tanwar
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IBM has been selected by Australian energy provider Western Power as the systems integration and project management partner for its SmartGrid-Advanced Meter Infrastructure pilot program. IBM will build a road map for the design and implementation of an intelligent network, comprising smart meters and a communications backbone that will enable Western Power to deliver more reliable, sustainable and cost effective energy solutions to homes and businesses in the south-west of Western Australia.

Western Power is an energy solutions business that manages the transmission and distribution of electricity in the south west of WA, including Perth. It comprises almost 88,000 km of power lines stretching from Kalbarri in the north, Kalgoorlie in the east and Albany in the south. Its electricity network,  one of the largest isolated networks globally, powers over 965,000 homes and businesses and 150,000 streetlights each day. The company's SmartGrid-Advanced Meter Infrastructure pilot program focuses on providing a platform for a range of energy efficiency and demand management initiatives in Western Australia. It will be included in the scope of the Perth Solar City Project.

Perth Solar City is an Australian Government Solar City and will be delivered to communities within Perth's Eastern region over the next four years. The program will include installation of smart meters, solar gas boosted hot water systems and solar photovoltaics (PV) systems. A key objective is to engage the community and encourage behavior changes in energy consumption through energy assessments and education. Western Power will lead the $73.5 million initiative designed to help communities rethink the way they produce, use and save energy. As part of the program, residents will be offered free energy advisory services and generous price reductions on solar hot water and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The design and deployment of an intelligent network is being seen as key to the success of the Solar City initiative. The network would be a  digital, open standards-based network of sensors, metering, communications, computer processors, and analytics which connects an entire utility company, from power plant to plug.

According to Western Power's Smart Grid Manager, Lisa Cunningham, "Through smart grid technology Western Power is enabling customers to become smarter and more efficient in their use of power. This is particularly relevant given the increasing cost of electricity. Having a smart meter installed will enable customers to view consumption rates and costs of appliances. The smart meter also automatically alerts Western Power to power interruptions and enables rapid outage management.”

In its statement, IBM said it is currently working on seven of the world's ten largest advanced meter management projects, and is involved in almost 50 smart grid engagements around the world, including with Energy Australia and Country Energy in Australia.
 

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