[Greens-Media] WA Greens push government to get smart on Denmark-Walpole power grid - Paul Llewellyn

[Anderson, Sonia]

25 August 2008

GREENS PUSH GOVERNMENT TO GET SMART ON DENMARK-WALPOLE POWER GRID

"One and a half years after my call for a Smart Meter Trial on Denmark/Walpole feeder, Western Power is coming to the party, but they need government support for the proposal to work," says Paul Llewellyn MLC, Greens member for the South West.

"Following the disruptive Easter blackouts in Denmark and Walpole in 2007, I called for community members and Western Power to work together to develop a whole-of-grid solution to our power problems, rather than just putting in expensive new transmission lines," said Mr Llewellyn.

"With Western Power the South Coast Power Working Group was subsequently formed, to look at energy conservation and local power supply solutions such wind/diesel, solar and other embedded power options for the Denmark-Walpole feeder.

"Western Power has embraced the concept of a pilot smart grid program on the Denmark-Walpole feeder because of the acute power situation, and because the community has been proactive and receptive to alternative clean energy solutions, but these are innovative strategies that require Government backing to get off the ground.

"The government needs to immediately fund the trial and work with Western Power to clear a path through the regulatory red tape," he said.

"It is cheaper to implement energy conservation strategies, and local power generation from wind, solar and gas, backed up by local gas or diesel power plants, than it is to build new power lines, but this also means using smart controls technologies to manage the system.

"Smart grid is a term used to describe a suite of technical strategies to control the load on our electricity grid, by for example automatically switching off some of our energy guzzling appliances, such as hot water systems and reverse cycle air conditioners at peak times. One other strategy involves the use of smart metering.

"Smart meters allow the household to modify their own power use from home by reducing their power costs and impact on the grid. They complement other initiatives to conserve energy and to use energy more efficiently," said Mr Llewellyn.

"In August 2007 I wrote to the Minister for energy Fran Logan, requesting the smart meter trial be implemented in Denmark/Walpole as part of this solution," said Mr Llewellyn.

"Western Power now wants to implement the pilot project and roll smart meters out to the Denmark-Walpole feeder, ahead of a State wide trial including other regional areas.

"The exciting thing about smart grids is that they not only reduce our power consumption, but they also significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This is good for household budgets, the local economy and for the planet. This is an important initiative that I encourage all Denmark residents to get behind," said Mr Llewellyn.