Collaboration announced

Daily Advertiser
Saturday 19/4/2008 Page: 7

AUSTRALIAs largest energy supply network, Country Energy, has announced its global collaboration with IBM aimed at developing and deploying an "Intelligent Network" in Australia. Country Energy is pursuing the Intelligent Network concept to improve reliability, support the growth of renewables like solar and wind and make energy efficiency simpler for customers.

"Climate change and cost of living fears have made families and businesses keener than ever to control their energy and water use," Country Energy's managing director Craig Murray said. "At the same time, Australia's power grids are beginning to show their age - we need a blueprint to renew those grids as more efficient and responsive `Intelligent Networks'. "We need to put the digital age to work for our network customers.

"By 2020, Intelligent Networks need to do for essential services what the internet has done for information." Through the development of an Intelligent Network, Country Energy can combat short-term carbon adjustment costs, and the long term costs of moving to a low-carbon future. In Australia, IBM and Country Energy are focusing on developing solutions specific to local conditions and electricity networks, which will enable small renewable generators to interact with the network.