❓ Hon James Hayward questions the Minister for Energy regarding the capabilities of Western Power's advanced meters, specifically their ability to control energy use and solar systems. The response clarifies the meters' functionalities and future possibilities for demand-side response programs.
AnsweredQoN 899Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER — ADVANCED METERS
899. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the installation of
advanced metering by Western Power.
(1) Are any of
the advanced meters that are being installed by Western Power capable of
controlling energy use within residential properties by the network operator?
(2) Is Western
Power able to shut down solar systems using advanced meters if network
conditions require such an action?
(3) Are advanced
meters being installed by Western Power capable of controlling electricity use
by specific appliances in customers' households?
(4) If no to (3),
are there currently any plans to investigate the installation of meters with
the capability of controlling specific appliances within households in the
future?
899. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the installation of
advanced metering by Western Power.
(1) Are any of
the advanced meters that are being installed by Western Power capable of
controlling energy use within residential properties by the network operator?
(2) Is Western
Power able to shut down solar systems using advanced meters if network
conditions require such an action?
(3) Are advanced
meters being installed by Western Power capable of controlling electricity use
by specific appliances in customers' households?
(4) If no to (3),
are there currently any plans to investigate the installation of meters with
the capability of controlling specific appliances within households in the
future?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided by the Minister
for Energy.
(1) No. Western
Power's advanced meters are digital meters, which typically have a communication
device installed. Advanced meters can
automatically and remotely read electricity flows and provide early detection of connection faults and supply issues.
(2) All
applications from 14 February 2022 for new or upgraded inverters with a capacity
of five-kilovolt ampere or less need to comply with remote emergency management
capabilities. This means inverters, including within rooftop solar systems,
must be capable of being remotely controlled. Compliance with these
requirements enables rooftop solar systems to be remotely turned off in the
event of an extreme minimum demand event as directed by the Australian Energy
Market Operator to support system stability.
(3) Advanced
meters do not control the energy use of specific appliances. Solar system
inverters, however, are connected to the
advanced meter for remote control, as detailed in the response to (2). In the
future, it is expected that residents may choose to connect additional devices
for remote control. This would enable customers to participate in demand-side
response programs, which may offer financial benefits for enrolment.
�(4) Not
applicable.
of the question. The following information has been provided by the Minister
for Energy.
(1) No. Western
Power's advanced meters are digital meters, which typically have a communication
device installed. Advanced meters can
automatically and remotely read electricity flows and provide early detection of connection faults and supply issues.
(2) All
applications from 14 February 2022 for new or upgraded inverters with a capacity
of five-kilovolt ampere or less need to comply with remote emergency management
capabilities. This means inverters, including within rooftop solar systems,
must be capable of being remotely controlled. Compliance with these
requirements enables rooftop solar systems to be remotely turned off in the
event of an extreme minimum demand event as directed by the Australian Energy
Market Operator to support system stability.
(3) Advanced
meters do not control the energy use of specific appliances. Solar system
inverters, however, are connected to the
advanced meter for remote control, as detailed in the response to (2). In the
future, it is expected that residents may choose to connect additional devices
for remote control. This would enable customers to participate in demand-side
response programs, which may offer financial benefits for enrolment.
�(4) Not
applicable.
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