Australia - Smart Grid Market Overview

Synopsis

Since 2001 the Australian electricity utilities have been working together on telecommunications issues, under a BuddeComm initiative known as UtiliTel. The focus began to shift from telecoms as a business opportunity to communications as an important element in making their networks more intelligent – to address issues such security and reliability, and subsequently smart meters. Smart grids became a more serious issue when a new Australian government started to set targets for CO2 emissions and renewable energy. In 2007 UtiliTel was opened up to the broader industry and the following year Smart Grid Australia was launched as an industry alliance. Based on the trans-sector vision from the Australian government a $100 million smart grid demonstration project was launched, also linked to the $43 billion National Broadband Network.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. INTRODUCTION
  
  • 2.1 Current grid outmoded and outdated
    
  • 2.2 Old technologies, and no young engineers
    
  • 2.3 Demand in energy bigger than ever before
    
  • 2.4 The industry is ready for action
    
• 3. New industry visions
  
  • 3.1 From UtiliTel to Smart Grids
    
  • 3.2 Trans-sector approach for telecoms and energy
    
• 4. Smart Grid Australia
  
  • 4.1 Trans-sector approach towards smart grids
    
  • 4.2 Vision Statement
    
  • 4.3 What is Smart Grid Australia?
    
  • 4.4 Trans-sector participation
    
• 5. Related reports
  

• Exhibit 1 – What is a Smart Grid?
• Exhibit 1 - Utilities and telecoms
• Exhibit 1 – Smart Grid Australia – A new organisation