Synopsis
This year will see many exciting developments in the smart grids area. By the middle of 2010 the outline of Australia’s first smart grid project should become visible, and over the next three years important insight will be gained for a national rollout. These developments will also stimulate others to move on from demonstration projects, and progress from smart meter rollouts towards smart grids. The initial results of this process will become evident in several projects being carried out in Victoria. They took leadership in smart meters, and this encouraged many other utilities to also focus on their underlying infrastructure. As a result we will start seeing their types of smart grids arrive in Australia in 2010. There will be further pressure on the government to better align energy and environmental policies, as well as electricity regulations. The government can use its influence in this area to encourage electricity utilities to also invest in smart grids, rather than only in smart meters. The $100 million Smart Grid/Smart City (NEEI) project is discussed in a separate report: Australia - Smart Grids - Smart City-Smart Grid Project.