The National Smart Grids Forum 2010 will be a platform to discuss the challenges this transition presents, as well as the role of smart grids in the conversion to a low-carbon economy. It will bring together senior level representatives from Federal and State Government, as well as energy regulators, and key representatives from the energy generation, distribution and transmission, and retail sectors.
Mr Effeney spoke about some of the key issues that will be discussed at the forum.
What are some of the key industry issues that will be discussed at the National Smart Grid Forum?
The industry is facing the largest transition in its history. I think we all understand that we are moving to a carbon constrained world, and this will result in higher energy prices. As the energy prices come up there will be a range of fixed and mobile distributed energy resources which will come into play, and which will need to be integrated with the conventional supply site system.
Article continues below…The digitalised nature of our lifestyles, and the need for higher security, is driving a different view about how the network needs to evolve. Added to this is the fact that in many parts of the world we have got significantly aged assets.
What do you think are the main challenges in integrating smart grid systems to existing infrastructure?
A smart grid is essentially about laying 21st Century communication over what is very much a conventional 20th Century technology of poles and wires. The challenge will be to be able to integrate these new systems into the legacy systems, the issues around the huge data management that will be needed, as well as interoperability.
Another issue is how to integrate renewable energy into the grid. There is a degree to which all of these resources are intermittent, which will present a challenge. Overall, there is a need to reinvestigate process engineering, and the fundamental way we design and build a system.
How will the Government’s $100 million smart grid initiative affect the energy industry in the short term and long term?
In the short term there is the opportunity to accelerate work that is already underway across Australia with the smart network. Most of the distributors of Australia have got a range of initiatives already underway, but probably not at the commercial stage just yet.
In the medium and longer term, though, it will really help us identify those key barriers that we have got, not only to do with technology deployment issues, but more importantly the social, political and regulatory issues that we have to overcome with the application of the smart network.
