WHEN
the mercury rose above 43 degrees at
Residents will again seek refuge from the
heat this summer but the rising income levels that
have helped many of greater
Demand for power-hungry air-conditioners on
the few really hot days of the year - especially in the booming western suburbs
where temperatures are higher and houses are bigger - is so strong the NSW
Government is considering building a new coal-fired power plant to cope.
But an ambitious project launched today at Blacktown's Civic Plaza hopes to prove there is a cheaper,
more environmentally friendly way to solve the power problem.
With a $15 million grant from the Federal
Government and $22 million from consortium members, the Blacktown
Solar Cities project is designed to demonstrate how a combination of solar
power, smart electricity meters, energy efficiency and innovative approaches to
electricity pricing can meet energy needs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"We are making it easier to save
energy, and we are making it especially easy when the sun is shining, air
conditioners are running and energy use is at its heaviest," said BP Solar's regional director, Brooke Miller.
The project, which covers Blacktown Council's 47 suburbs, includes discounts of
between 30 and 50 per cent on solar electricity and solar hot water systems,
and ceiling insulation, as well as special peak pricing packages that encourage
consumers to use less peak power in return for discounts for off-peak power.
The project is backed by BP Solar, Integral
Energy, ANZ Bank, Landcom, Blacktown
Council and energy efficiency expert Big Switch and runs until 2013. The consortium
members hope that by avoiding an estimated 25,000 tonnes
of greenhouse gas emissions and shaving $3 million off electricity bills each
year the project will drive policy changes that favour
demand management, energy efficiency and renewable energy ahead of electricity
grid expansion and new power plants.
They believe if new ways of thinking about
and pricing electricity catch on in
The Doherty family are
among 1000 locals who have already registered their interest in the project.
Living on a tight budget, but maintaining a
home equipped with air-conditioning, several computers and a pool, Gordon and
Janet Doherty have had their energy use audited by Integral Energy, and are
thinking about taking part in a trial in which their pool pump will be turned
off automatically on 12 hot days over summer, during peak energy periods. It won't
affect the cleanliness of the pool but should cut the family's power bill.
The family of four has already switched its
lights to less energy-intensive compact fluorescent bulbs, and has begun
turning off at the wall appliances that use standby power.
"Every cent you can save is
vital," said Mr Doherty.
"It is sometimes 2 to 3 degrees hotter
out here than in