An IBM-backed consortium has won the right to operates Australia’s first commercial smart grid trial.

 

Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency & Water, announced this week that the A$100 million trial would take place in Newcastle, north of Sydney, “in mid-2010.” 

 

It will also extend to the Sydney CBD and several Sydney suburbs.

 

The winning team, led by Newcastle power supplier EnergyAustralia, also included utility TransGrid, government research agency CSIRO, GE Energy and local and state governments.

 

Wong said the smart grids would help Australian households and businesses cut their energy use and energy bills.

 

“Smart grids are critical in the fight against climate change, as they have enormous potential to improve the efficiency of our electricity sector and transform the way we use energy in our homes and businesses,” Wong said.

 

“If smart grid applications are adopted around Australia they could deliver a reduction of 3.5 megatonnes of carbon emissions per annum.”

 

The trial is also expected to explore synergies between smart grid technologies and the government’s proposed National Broadband Network.