solution for not enough power
from AntBlog701

solution for not enough power

Apparently, the electricity companies can't generate enough electricity for NSW's growing population. So they have a plan to save the usage and punish the public at the same time: increase the price.

According to Energy Australia, average household currently pays 19c per kWh (kilo Watt hour, also known as one unit, which means you use 1000 watts of electricity for one hour). They introduced Smart Meters, and new rate for peak is a shocking 36c per kWh during peak hours (2pm to 8pm weekday), that's almost twice the previous price.

In order to make themselves look good, they encourage night owls by charging them only 8c per kWh during off-peak hours (10pm to 7am everyday). During the other times, shoulder times they call it, the electricity will be charged at 14c per kWh (7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm weekday, 7am to 10pm weekend ).

The new Smart Meters not just record how much electricity a household use, but also the time they use the electricity.

The NSW Government wants to force every household to install a smart meter within 8 years. (Well, you know all the long term promises/plans in the politics, they don't usually keep their promises within their period, and next governing party is under no obligation to honour the promise by previous party.)

To beat the system, get the appliances that comes with timer built-in. So you can programme the appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, dryers etc) during off-peak.

As I mentioned before, the ultimate solution is to generate zero pollution and more efficient electricity, while all appliances and gadgets should also be energy efficient.

Better yet, you can get powerful, stylish and enviro-conscious designed products from Apple Inc.

Apple is once again leading the industry by reducing the environmental impacts including removing toxic chemicals, highly recyclable materials, making safer batteries, reducing packaging waste, and designing highly energy efficient devices. The new Mac desktops and laptops use PVC-free internal cables and components and contains no brominated flame retardants. The new Mac desktops achieve EPEAT Gold status. For more detail about Apple's commitment to the environment, please visit Apple and Environment page.

News sources: Electricity companies warn of time-use charging fees and Seven News (19 September 2009)

related blog entry:
Earth Hour tonight (28 March, 2009)