. Earth Science News .
CSIRO Builds Smart Energy System

Electric pink.
by Staff Writers
Canberra, Australia (SPX) Mar 09, 2006
CSIRO technology will help to reduce black-outs and improve the reliability and efficiency of the electricity grid while reducing greenhouse emissions.It will also complement smart electricity meters promising consumers more choice and control over their usage.

The technology will also help to reduce black-outs and improve the reliability and efficiency of the electricity grid while reducing greenhouse emissions.

Researchers at the Energy Transformed National Research Flagship aim to solve problems associated with demand peaks, price volatility and network security.

'Our goal is to democratise the electricity market with user-friendly technology that allows consumers to manage their energy usage according to their preferences and needs,' says Dr Geoff James of the CSIRO ICT Centre.

'For example one consumer may prefer to only run their air-conditioner when energy is below a certain price but to make an exception if the temperature rises to a certain level. Another consumer may wish to switch off energy hungry appliances during demand peaks in return for price reductions.

'Similarly, industrial users can tailor their demand profile to take maximum advantage of fluctuations in price and availability of energy.

'The installation of smart meters in homes and businesses is currently being discussed and this technology allows consumers to get maximum benefit from them.'

The system features intelligent sensors and agents which monitor generation and demand, communicate with each other, and make control decisions based on parameters set by generators, distributors and consumers.

Intelligent software agents capture consumer preferences and interact with smart meters and other agents to act on them.

CSIRO is currently running a prototype energy management system at its Newcastle Energy Centre. Dr Glenn Platt of CSIRO Energy Technology says that the system is effectively a mini electricity grid incorporating a micro-gas turbine generator, photovoltaic arrays, a wind generator, a weather station, cool rooms and part of the building�s climate system � all under agent control.

'The sensor and agent technologies coordinate supply and demand, controlling generation and loads intelligently as the market changes,' says Dr Platt.

The system is also being trialled by a major Australian utility company.

Related Links
Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation CSIRO

Combination Of Processes Results In Cleaner Petrol
Delft, The Netherlands (SPX) Mar 10, 2006
One problem confronting the oil industry is that extracted mineral oil (due to increasing scarcity) is becoming heavier and 'dirtier'. This is reflected, for instance, in a higher content of aromatics (which among other things lead to soot emissions during combustion in diesel engines) and of sulphur (which among things causes acid rain).







  • Boeing/Harvard Custom: US Air Force Search And Rescue Helicopter
  • Delta And Wetlands Management Contributed To Hurricane Problems
  • Agami Systems Eases Access Critical Disaster-Relief Imagery in Near Real-Time
  • Study Finds Californians Unmotivated To Prepare For Next Disaster

  • NASA Finds Stronger Storms Change Heat And Rainfall Worldwide
  • Impact Of Climate Warming On Polar Ice Sheets Confirmed
  • Developing Discussion On Soil Carbon Decomposition
  • Curbing Carbon Dioxide Emissions Affordable And Doable Says Brookings

  • Goodrich Delivers True Color Images On Japanese EO Satellite
  • International Symposium On Radar Altimetry To Meet In Venice
  • Satellites Ensure Safe Passage Through Treacherous Waters In Ocean Race
  • ESA Satellite Program Monitors Dangerous Ocean Eddies

  • Combination Of Processes Results In Cleaner Petrol
  • Spanish Test Out Olives As Energy Source
  • CSIRO Builds Smart Energy System
  • Energy-Efficient Housing: Project Debuts Air-Handling System

  • Bird Flu Damages EU Economies
  • Incentive Plan Targets Neglected Diseases
  • Crippling Indian Ocean Epidemic Detected in France
  • People of African Descent More Vulnerable to TB

  • Bering Sea Ecosystem Responding To Changes In Arctic Climate
  • Mass Extinctions - Outer Space Threat Or Our Own Planets Detox
  • Which Carnivores Kill Other Carnivores
  • Early Land Animals Could Walk And Run Like Mammals

  • Mitigating Air Pollution From Freight Transportation Along I-95
  • Oil Pipeline Breach Sparks One Of Worst Spills In Alaska
  • Buffering Runoff From Dairy Farms
  • New EU Waste Rules May Turn Poor Countries Into Dumps

  • Stuffing Our Kids So They Can Die First
  • Most Human Chimp Differences Due To Gene Regulation Not Genes
  • Humans Are Still Evolving
  • Magdalenian Girl Has Oldest Recorded Case Of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement