❓ A WA parliamentary question explores the potential introduction of smart electricity meters, similar to those in Victoria. The Minister indicates existing smart meter programs and explains why government funding isn't planned due to reasonable payback periods.
AnsweredQoN 2797Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the introduction in Victoria of ‘smart’ electricity meters that can read household consumption and price of electricity usage every half hour?
(2) What are the benefits of employing smart meters in a consumer setting?
(3) Is the Minister considering the introduction of Government purchased ‘smart’ electricity meters for Western Australian homes?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(2) What are the benefits of employing smart meters in a consumer setting?
(3) Is the Minister considering the introduction of Government purchased ‘smart’ electricity meters for Western Australian homes?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 June 2004
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
29 days
3) and 4) Western Power has been installing 'smart' meters as part of its smart power residential customer product since 1997. The cost of single phase smart meters for new homes is $199. For retrofit installation the cost is $329. In both cases payments can be made over two years as part of normal billing arrangements. The payback period is usually two to five years, but its significantly affected by the householder pattern of electricity consumption. Since for most residential customers there is a relatively short payback period there are no plans to introduce a program of Government funded meters. 2) The benefits of installing smart meters fall to both the consumer and the supply authority. The consumer benefits by shifting consumption to lower cost 'off peak' times. The supply authority benefits by having lower peak time demand which enables it to delay installing extra generation capacity.
The payback period is usually two to five years, but its significantly affected by the householder pattern of electricity consumption. Since for most residential customers there is a relatively short payback period there are no plans to introduce a program of Government funded meters. 2) The benefits of installing smart meters fall to both the consumer and the supply authority. The consumer benefits by shifting consumption to lower cost 'off peak' times. The supply authority benefits by having lower peak time demand which enables it to delay installing extra generation capacity.
2) The benefits of installing smart meters fall to both the consumer and the supply authority. The consumer benefits by shifting consumption to lower cost 'off peak' times. The supply authority benefits by having lower peak time demand which enables it to delay installing extra generation capacity.
The payback period is usually two to five years, but its significantly affected by the householder pattern of electricity consumption. Since for most residential customers there is a relatively short payback period there are no plans to introduce a program of Government funded meters. 2) The benefits of installing smart meters fall to both the consumer and the supply authority. The consumer benefits by shifting consumption to lower cost 'off peak' times. The supply authority benefits by having lower peak time demand which enables it to delay installing extra generation capacity.
2) The benefits of installing smart meters fall to both the consumer and the supply authority. The consumer benefits by shifting consumption to lower cost 'off peak' times. The supply authority benefits by having lower peak time demand which enables it to delay installing extra generation capacity.
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