Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett, Energy Minister Martin Ferguson and Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy, have officially invited industry bids to transform Australia's energy grid through the Smart Grid, Smart City initiative.

The $100 million initiative will see Government and energy and communications sectors working in partnership to deploy Australia's first commercial-scale smart grid, with the potential to reduce home energy bills, cut carbon pollution and help in the fight against climate change.

Announcing the opening of the tender process in Queanbeyan, Mr Garrett said this commercial-scale trial was an exciting new chapter for Australia's energy efficiency network.

Mr Ferguson said: "this program is a good opportunity to test the costs and benefits of smart grid and smart meter applications before a wider regulated rollout of smart meters in certain jurisdictions in coming years."

Mr Conroy said the Smart Grid, Smart City initiative will help Australia lead a global transformation as energy networks deploy broadband-enabled solutions to drive efficiency.

he successful consortium will be led by an electricity distributor, and membership likely to include be a mix of electricity retailers, product and service suppliers, governments, academic bodies, consumer interest groups and other non-government organisations.

Consortia have until late January 2010 to submit their bids.

3 November, 2009