Smart grids hold significant potential for managing electricity supply in Australia, they are a mechanism for the management of electricity demand, with benefits including reducing peak load; supporting early detection of network issues; improving efficiency; delivering information and accommodating future growth in renewable energy sources. The benefits for consumers include improved continuity of electricity supply; lowering costs; and actively engaging end consumers in the management of electricity demand
In June 2011, the Australian Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) commissioned Standards Australia to identify the need for Australian Standards to support the near-term commercialisation of smart grids in Australia.
This request arose as a result of the Department’s facilitation of the Smart Grid, Smart City project being undertaken in New South Wales, and ongoing international discussions about the need for standards to support the development of smart grids around the world.
Following a detailed and robust process undertaken in the past year, Standards Australia, together with the RET, held a launch of the final report titled Australian Standards for Smart Grids – Standards Roadmap and discussed the next steps concerning standards development. CFA representatives were involved in the process.