Full Version - Essential Energy

28
From relocating osprey nests from power poles and
planting trees with community groups to trialling
hybrid vehicles and landmark greenhouse gas
abatement deals, Country Energy is involved in a
range of environmental initiatives. Leading the way in
environmental sustainability and social responsibility
makes good business sense.
Our energy conservation and environmental protection
initiatives go beyond legal and regulatory obligations,
towards a position of industry leadership.
During the year, we took a four-pronged approach to
environmental sustainability and renewable energy,
concentrating on the efficient use of energy, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and
commercial partnerships.
Two of Country Energy’s most immediate challenges
are energy efficiency and the search for alternative
energy sources. We have enlarged our suite of energy
efficiency initiatives, delivering tangible environmental
and financial benefits.
Our aim is to integrate responsible environmental
management into all that we do.
Smart metering trial
An Australian-first trial of new advanced smart metering
technology has shown abundant potential, with
participants using real time information to run more
energy efficient homes.
Launched in February 2005, the demand side
management initiative aims to encourage customers
to change energy usage based on pricing alerts.
This reduces consumption in times of high demand
and allows customers to save on energy costs.
Involving 150 residential customers in Queanbeyan
and Jerrabombera, the smart metering trial – gives
participants access to real time information about
energy consumption and costs thanks to an innovative
in-home display unit. By using the display unit to
monitor daily, weekly and monthly consumption
patterns, participants can instantly see how much
energy they are using and how much it is costing.
Large families in particular are pocketing significant
savings, with a family of five reducing consumption
by 25 per cent compared to the same period last year.
This has resulted in a saving of $31 off their quarterly
account.
Future goals – continue trial until June 2006, followed
by research and analysis of trial outcomes, with a view
to making the technology more widely available.
Energy wise calculator
More than 5,000 customers have visited our on-line
energy efficiency service, the energy wise calculator,
since it was launched in September 2004.
The service has the ability to change the way people
use energy in their homes and is smart enough
to generate advice based on an individual’s input.
Essentially, it helps customers calculate energy
consumed by individual appliances, rooms or a
whole house, and provides simple, low-cost energy
saving tips.
The calculator’s value was recognised by Global
Reviews in November 2004, when it was rated as
the best energy calculator available on all Australian
energy providers’ websites (Global Reviews Energy
Web Benchmark Q4 Report 2004). It was also the only
site to be recommended by Choice Magazine (March
edition: “What’s up with our power supply?”) in an
article regarding home energy audits.
As well as being promoted through field days and
marketing material, the calculator is used by call centre
and customer service centre teams when dealing with
high account enquiries and is available to customers in
many customer service centres.
Green Globe Award
Country Energy took centre stage in November 2004 to
accept a major award at the Energy and Water Green
Globe Awards for an energy efficiency pilot project,
which is set to provide a nationwide energy industry
precedent.
The two-year energy efficiency project in the
neighbouring rural villages of Binda and Bigga continues
to help residents save on their power bills, reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate pressure on
the power supply network, thereby delaying the need
for expensive network upgrades.
Residents have enthusiastically supported the initiative
by attending information sessions and taking advantage
of accredited green energy, energy audits and a rebate
scheme for the replacement of energy intensive
appliances.
COUNTRY ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005