US-Australia joint venture for energy efficiency
14 April 2011
US-based smart-grid energy company MicroPlanet has established a Joint Venture (JV) with Australia’s SmartGrid Partners (SGP) to pursue strategic energy efficiency opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.
SGP will be the main distributor of MicroPlanet’s voltage optimisation products. MicroPlanet’s patented technology manages the voltage received from electric utilities to optimum levels. In areas where incoming voltage is high, customers can reduce energy consumption by 5 to 12 per cent, lowering electricity bills without changing their behaviour.
The JV will take advantage of the opportunity presented by Low Carbon Australia (formerly the Australian Carbon Trust), which has announced a program to support energy efficiency initiatives. The JV will pursue utility and private sector investment partners and is expected to submit its application for support to Low Carbon Australia in the next two months.
MicroPlanet and SGP have also entered into a Master Territory Alliance agreement to liaise with the appropriate government and environmental agencies for support of this venture.
SGP is a solutions integrator, providing strategic advisory and venture capability in the rapidly emerging smart grid area in Australia and New Zealand.
MicroPlanet President and CEO, Mr Brett Ironside said, “The new joint venture with SGP provides MicroPlanet with a significant and active distribution network. The SGP team has deep and effective contacts already established within the utility community in Australia and New Zealand. These utilities are beginning to experience the multi-faceted benefits of voltage optimisation in their power grids.”
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