Perth residents embrace air conditioning trial
Release Date: 16 October 2007
Western Power's recently announced air conditioning trial in Nedlands, Claremont and Dalkeith has been well received by residents.
The network business contacted 6000 homeowners in the three suburbs to take part in the trial to reduce the demand for electricity during peak times in summer and already 708 households have contacted Western Power saying they want to be involved.
Of those 545 homeowners met the criteria and have successfully registered with a further 20 potential applications soon to be processed.
Western Power is still keen to hear from homeowners who live in Nedlands, Claremont and Dalkeith who have a refrigerative or reverse cycle air conditioner and would like to participate in the trial.
A small 'switching' device will be installed within participants' air conditioning units in the next two months in time for use during the hottest periods this summer.
Western Power's Managing Director, Mr Doug Aberle, said that the trial is designed to advance research into managing electricity systems more efficiently and aims to raise awareness about electricity use patterns and their impact on the electricity network. Similar trials have recently been held in some eastern states.
"The trial involves installing a small device on volunteers' refrigerative and reverse cycle air conditioning units to alter the regular 'on/off' cycle of the unit's compressor for a few minutes (maximum 15 minutes) during peak electricity use periods.
"The air conditioner's fan will continue to circulate air, so residents shouldn't notice a difference in their comfort levels", he said.
Participants will be offered $100 to be part of the trial. If they choose, residents can direct the offer to a chosen charity.
If successful, the trial may be used in other suburbs and regional towns to enable more efficient management of the electricity system and to gather data on the effectiveness of devices that help manage electricity demand patterns.
In Western Australia short but high peaks in electricity use are increasing, due, mostly, to the rapid rise in the number of air conditioners in homes.
82% of Western Australian homes now have air conditioners installed.
Mr Aberle said that all electricity networks build to provide for peak use times.
"The question is, do communities want to live with more and more infrastructure in and around their suburbs when simple changes to energy use can reduce the need?
"The substations, cables, powerlines and other infrastructure that we build to support energy needs are not driven by normal consumption, but by the total peak. We build to cover the worst case scenario," Mr Aberle said.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
