Media release
25 June 2009

TO: News desks, environment and energy reporters

Kiwis miss out on smart power

“New Zealand households and our environment are missing out” says the independent Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, upon the release of her latest report Smart electricity meters: How households and the environment can benefit.

“Really smart meters can help us use less electricity, which is good for households and good for the environment,” stated the Commissioner. “For example, reducing electricity use by 5 percent could save householders $125 million each year. And would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to taking around 200,000 cars off the road” she said. “A little bit in many homes adds up to a lot. And this is particularly valuable in dry years.”

“Smart meters can give you real time information about your electricity use cheaply and conveniently,” explains Dr Wright. “On your kitchen bench or on your coffee table your ‘in-home display’ might flash red, indicating that the electricity price is high. And you call to the kids to go and turn their lights off in their bedrooms.”

“But more importantly” observed the Commissioner, “smart meters will be able to hold a conversation with smart appliances. These smart appliances are just around the corner”.

“Fully functional smart meters are a cornerstone of New Zealand’s future infrastructure. Over half of New Zealand households will have new meters within four years, according to my report,” said Dr Jan Wright, “but it concerns me that most of these are ‘dumb’ smart meters”.

“Smart meters (along with smart grids) are the next big thing in the electronic revolution. Roll-outs of really smart meters are already being undertaken in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Sweden and other countries.”

“What is important to me is the real long term potential of smart meters, smart appliances and smart pricing. That will create a real win-win for households and the environment.”

“A small investment today in the right solutions will pay big dividends in the future. Now is the time to act, which is why I have made nine recommendations to Ministers”, concluded the Commissioner, “and I look forward to their responses.”

Copies of the report are available at the Commissioner’s website: www.pce.parliament.nz.

ENDS

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