Saab Systems flagged to beat the peak for ETSA

Saab Systems Pty Ltd, a South Australian-based electronic systems company, has won the contract to supply a power management system for ETSA’s ‘Beat the Peak’ trial scheduled for commencement during summer 2006/2007. The contract value is $600,000.

The increasing use of home air-conditioning has raised power demands to peak to extreme levels for only a few days each summer but this has introduced a substantial strain on South Australian electricity infrastructure. South Australia’s electricity consumption has the highest peaks in the nation, and possibly the world. Saab Systems first recognised the need to manage this escalating peak demand four years ago and has developed what is termed a demand management solution.

The ETSA trial will demonstrate the effectiveness of this innovative, low-cost electronic control module and demand management system which enables air conditioning compressors to be switched off for short periods in rotation around a suburb or a city. This has minimal effect on householders who in previous trials did not notice any difference in comfort levels.

 “This new technology is an excellent solution to addressing the problem. It manages a situation which occurs only for a few days each year and allows ETSA to keep electric power distribution costs to reasonable levels,” said Merv Davis, Managing Director of Saab Systems.

“Saab Systems has invested in developing this solution and is excited to be able to demonstrate its effectiveness in the upcoming trial. We are confident it will be suitable for wide installation throughout Adelaide, benefiting South Australians by limiting the need and cost of additional electric power infrastructure and also bringing jobs to our partner companies.

“This South Australian invention has enormous potential for other states and for export and we anticipate that in the future, many electrical appliances will have demand management capability installed in them,” Mr Davis said.

26 July 2006