Time For A Cool Change – ENERGEX trial to tap into energy savings

Home owners in suburbs across northern Brisbane/Pine Rivers Shire are being invited to take part in a new ENERGEX trial to help reduce electricity use on hot summer days.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the Time For A Cool Change trial was as simple as connecting a small device to an air conditioner.

“The device makes a slight change to the thermostat cycling of the air conditioner. Basically, it reduces the amount of electricity the system uses without affecting its ability to cool the home,” Mr Wilson said.

The Minister said similar processes had been looked at interstate and overseas.

“ENERGEX will test the system in our South East Queensland climate,” he said.

The trial will begin in the coming weeks in parts of Ferny Hills, Ferny Grove, Arana Hills, Everton Hills, Everton Park, McDowall, Bridgeman Downs, Bunya and Albany Creek.

ENERGEX Network Performance General Manager Chris Arnold said the suburbs were selected by ENERGEX following an analysis of air conditioning use.

“These neighbourhoods showed some of the most extreme weather-based fluctuations in electricity use in South East Queensland,” he said.

Mr Arnold said that peak power demand in South East Queensland, especially on hot summer afternoons, was above national averages.

“The growth in power demand is due to a number of factors, not least of which is the massive growth in new residential and industrial customers.

“ENERGEX connects around 150 customers to its network every working day,” he said.

Minister Wilson said that if successful, ENERGEX planned to roll the device out across South East Queensland by linking with system installers and manufacturers.

To help get the trial up and running, $210,000 has been set aside out of the State Government’s EnergyWise program to offer incentives for homeowners to take part.

“The more data collected, the better the outcome and the potential for detailed analysis,” Mr Wilson said.

“Information on the trial will be sent to residents in the targeted suburbs in the coming weeks.

“The good news for local residents is that the trial won’t cost them anything. They’ll be saving peak power use and helping the environment,” he said.

The trial will run through the summer of 2007/08 with early results expected around April next year.

Media Inquiries: Minister’s Office 3225 1819

ENERGEX Office Hours (07) 3407 4420 or After Hours (07) 3407 5191