[February 09, 2012] Research and Markets: Australia - Smart Grids - Key to the transformation of the Electricity Industry Tweet Feb 09, 2012 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b71bb0/australia_smart) has announced the addition of the "Australia - Smart Grids - Key to the transformation of the Electricity Industry" report to their offering. This report (8th Edition) provides overviews and critical statistical information on the electricity market, as well as detailed information on smart grid, smart meter projects and the key players in this market. Developments in PV and smart cars and their implications on national infrastructure are also highlighted. Market Highlights: - Australia's Smart Grid/Smart City project is a world leader - Australia saw residential PV (solar panels) increase from 1% to 5%, the highest growth in the world - The world is waiting for the electric vehicle (EV) tsunami (watch out for China) - Both PV and EV require smart grid infrastructure - Smart cars are being positioned as have-to-have products (like smartphones) - Urgent need for a comprehensive federal energy policy to bring all the different projects together - The smart meter development in Victoria is being used as a case study around the globe - Electricity industry is at the heart of all these developments - The industry needs a business transformation similar to the one that changed the telecoms industry. Smart Grids Essential for Future Energy Management For decades the electricity market has been a stable and rather boring one. The basic business model remained steady-as-you-go and developments in the market were largely dictated by government policies, which were basically aimed at keeping energy prices down and ensuring the reliability and safety of the network. The privatisation of the industry in some parts of the country during the 1990s did change ownership structures but overall it did not do much to change the structure and dynamics of the market. During the early 00s some entrepreneurial electricity companies started to venture into the telecommunications business, and while they ultimately moved out of this market they left behind several new telecommunication companies that provided competition, particularly in the heavily monopolised telecoms infrastructure market. This brush with the telecoms market as an enabling technology was useful later in that decade when climate change issues started to dominate the political agenda. While the industry was very slow to take these political issues seriously a change in government in 2007 forced them to pay attention and to begin to take action. Slightly predating these activities were the energy problems that several utilities experienced earlier that decade. A combination of climate change developments, resulting in extreme hot weather and the purchase of more air-conditioners by an affluent population, led to peak-demand network problems and major blackouts. For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b71bb0/australia_smart CONTACT: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager, [email protected] U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]