New South Wales will commence new technology and pricing trails for at least 30,000 households in Sydney and the Hunter region to test whether they make the grid more efficient and reduce household power bills.

 

As part of the Australian Government’s Smart Grid, Smart City trial, advanced smart meters will also be installed at up to 15,000 homes from next month to allow households to take part in the technology trials.


Ausgrid Managing Director George Maltabarow said technology including websites and in-home displays would be offered to homes in the Ku-ring-gai, the Sydney CBD, Newington, Newcastle and Scone areas from March next year to test their benefits.

 

“Advanced meters can communicate with technology in the home like websites, so households can see how much energy they’re using, when they’re using it, and which appliances use the most,” Mr Maltabarow said.


“Households in the trial will be able to see how much each appliance is costing them, where they can save energy and in some cases turn their appliances off from anywhere with an internet connection.”

 

Selected households in the five trial areas will receive a letter notifying them of the technology trial and meter change from October this year. This meter swap will not change the price households pay for electricity.


Advanced smart meters will also be installed at homes that volunteer to participate in pricing trials or any additional technology trials that take place as part of the Smart Grid, Smart City program.


These trials are voluntary and designed to test which technologies give customers more information and control over their energy use and bills.

 

For information on the Smart Grid, Smart City project, go to www.smartgridsmartcity.com.au