Hon Ray Halligan asks about the device used in Western Power's "Cool Community - Clean Future" scheme and how it's controlled. Hon Kim Chance provides a detailed explanation of the device and its operation using ripple control technology.

AnsweredQoN 1182Legislative Council
Asked
27 November 2007
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

WESTERN POWER - “COOL COMMUNITY - CLEAN FUTURE” SCHEME
I refer to a letter sent to consumers by Western Power dated 17 September 2007 and headed “Cool Community - Clean Future”. (1) What is the device to be fitted to consumers’ air conditioners? (2) How will it be controlled? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I have a couple of questions from Hon Ray Halligan. He could have wrapped all these questions up into one question. I am happy to advise that I have answers to all of them. I thank Hon Ray Halligan for his question and for providing notice of it. (1) The device is a type of switch. (2) The device will be activated using ripple control technology. Ripple control technology uses existing electricity conductors - wires - as a communications channel. Signals are sent along the electricity conductors from the substation to activate and deactivate the devices. When activated, the devices act on air conditioners’ compressors and not on the fans. Fans will continue to run to circulate air within the home. The compressors, which already switch off and on in a regular pattern, will be switched off more regularly for up to 15 minutes an hour for a few hours only on Perth’s hottest temperature days during summer. Eastern states trials have recorded no adverse effect on residents’ comfort levels when this occurs.
(1) What is the device to be fitted to consumers’ air conditioners? (2) How will it be controlled? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I have a couple of questions from Hon Ray Halligan. He could have wrapped all these questions up into one question. I am happy to advise that I have answers to all of them. I thank Hon Ray Halligan for his question and for providing notice of it. (1) The device is a type of switch. (2) The device will be activated using ripple control technology. Ripple control technology uses existing electricity conductors - wires - as a communications channel. Signals are sent along the electricity conductors from the substation to activate and deactivate the devices. When activated, the devices act on air conditioners’ compressors and not on the fans. Fans will continue to run to circulate air within the home. The compressors, which already switch off and on in a regular pattern, will be switched off more regularly for up to 15 minutes an hour for a few hours only on Perth’s hottest temperature days during summer. Eastern states trials have recorded no adverse effect on residents’ comfort levels when this occurs.
(2) How will it be controlled? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I have a couple of questions from Hon Ray Halligan. He could have wrapped all these questions up into one question. I am happy to advise that I have answers to all of them. I thank Hon Ray Halligan for his question and for providing notice of it. (1) The device is a type of switch. (2) The device will be activated using ripple control technology. Ripple control technology uses existing electricity conductors - wires - as a communications channel. Signals are sent along the electricity conductors from the substation to activate and deactivate the devices. When activated, the devices act on air conditioners’ compressors and not on the fans. Fans will continue to run to circulate air within the home. The compressors, which already switch off and on in a regular pattern, will be switched off more regularly for up to 15 minutes an hour for a few hours only on Perth’s hottest temperature days during summer. Eastern states trials have recorded no adverse effect on residents’ comfort levels when this occurs.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I have a couple of questions from Hon Ray Halligan. He could have wrapped all these questions up into one question. I am happy to advise that I have answers to all of them. I thank Hon Ray Halligan for his question and for providing notice of it. (1) The device is a type of switch. (2) The device will be activated using ripple control technology. Ripple control technology uses existing electricity conductors - wires - as a communications channel. Signals are sent along the electricity conductors from the substation to activate and deactivate the devices. When activated, the devices act on air conditioners’ compressors and not on the fans. Fans will continue to run to circulate air within the home. The compressors, which already switch off and on in a regular pattern, will be switched off more regularly for up to 15 minutes an hour for a few hours only on Perth’s hottest temperature days during summer. Eastern states trials have recorded no adverse effect on residents’ comfort levels when this occurs.
I have a couple of questions from Hon Ray Halligan. He could have wrapped all these questions up into one question. I am happy to advise that I have answers to all of them. I thank Hon Ray Halligan for his question and for providing notice of it. (1) The device is a type of switch. (2) The device will be activated using ripple control technology. Ripple control technology uses existing electricity conductors - wires - as a communications channel. Signals are sent along the electricity conductors from the substation to activate and deactivate the devices. When activated, the devices act on air conditioners’ compressors and not on the fans. Fans will continue to run to circulate air within the home. The compressors, which already switch off and on in a regular pattern, will be switched off more regularly for up to 15 minutes an hour for a few hours only on Perth’s hottest temperature days during summer. Eastern states trials have recorded no adverse effect on residents’ comfort levels when this occurs.
(1) The device is a type of switch. (2) The device will be activated using ripple control technology. Ripple control technology uses existing electricity conductors - wires - as a communications channel. Signals are sent along the electricity conductors from the substation to activate and deactivate the devices. When activated, the devices act on air conditioners’ compressors and not on the fans. Fans will continue to run to circulate air within the home. The compressors, which already switch off and on in a regular pattern, will be switched off more regularly for up to 15 minutes an hour for a few hours only on Perth’s hottest temperature days during summer. Eastern states trials have recorded no adverse effect on residents’ comfort levels when this occurs.
(2) The device will be activated using ripple control technology. Ripple control technology uses existing electricity conductors - wires - as a communications channel. Signals are sent along the electricity conductors from the substation to activate and deactivate the devices. When activated, the devices act on air conditioners’ compressors and not on the fans. Fans will continue to run to circulate air within the home. The compressors, which already switch off and on in a regular pattern, will be switched off more regularly for up to 15 minutes an hour for a few hours only on Perth’s hottest temperature days during summer. Eastern states trials have recorded no adverse effect on residents’ comfort levels when this occurs.

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