About Metering, Billing/CRM - 3 November 2010
In Australia, between now and the end of 2010, millions of homes and businesses in Victoria will have their current electricity meter changed to a smart meter. Although after a meter backlash, a new pricing regime was put on hold, the rollout will continue. EnergyAustralia has entered a $10 million agreement with Seven Group Holdings Limited company Wireless Broadband Australia and will install a 4G WiMax network allowing communication with up to 2 million smart devices on the electricity grid. Various governments, agencies and business have cited various reasons for a roll-out of smart meters including the empowerment of consumers, reduction of bills and greenhouse gas emissions, reduction for consumption during peak hours and the improvement of efficiency in the energy sector allowing the introduction of time of day pricing and allowing users to respond to these prices reducing demand for peak power.
At the same time, consumer advocates are concerned that at a time of increasing charges for an essential service, in a market destined for price deregulation (as in Victoria) bringing the meter into the home may have adverse effects for many consumers. What will be the impact on low income house holds? The government is now undertaking a review to make sure the pricing structures that will flow from the smart meters and the consumer protections are appropriate.
In New South Wales, Sydney and Newcastle would become Australia’s first Smart Cities and NSW Minister for Energy, John Robertson said new generation smart meters would be rolled out to 50,000 homes at five sites. Around 15,000 households will become smart homes to trial a new breed of in-house displays and websites that track electricity and water use, costs and CO2 emissions.
In other states, utilities are conducting metering rollout pilots and trials testing the performance of different AMI, HAN and communication technologies, demand response devices and customer education programmes and are trying to get clear insights in the costs and benefits of Smart Metering and AMI implementation in their utility.
In New Zealand, Minister Gerry Brownlee has agreed to the recommendations set out in the Electricity’s report on the rollout and requirements of smart meters in New Zealand. According to the Minister, the current rollout of smart meters is happening within an acceptable timeframe and that there is no doubt that smart meters are the way of the future and the government is committed to the rollout of smart meters in New Zealand.
The 8th Metering, Billing/CRM Australia & New Zealand 2010 will provide the stakeholders from the utility industry with a wealth of information on the latest regional rollouts and trials and lessons learnt from leading utilities in the world.
The conference will provide you with clear insights on:
- What is the regulators' point of view on the developments and what are the plans and initiatives impacting the smart metering and smart grid developments in the region
- How do key utility industry stakeholders think about innovative tariffs, consumer education and demand side management applications in the smart utility world
- What are the retail tariff arrangements and challenges and what will be needed according to our panelists to take the next steps successfully
- How to future proof your investment in smart water meters
- What can be learned from the mass deployment of smart meters in Wellington, New Zealand
- What could be the impact of the launch of an Energy Clearing House in Australia
- How to benefit from successful Demand Side Management and customer education programmes
- What can be learned from PG&E USA's new peak pricing policy and new market structure
Organised in conjunction with Smart Grids and Smart Homes this event is not to be missed if you wish to keep abreast of the developments and receive insights that you will not hear elsewhere!
Register now to benefit from the attractive early bird discount registration rate!
We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne in November!
Kind regards,
Elly Kreijkes
General Manager |