Air-conditioning could be controlled by Government with ‘widgets’ and ‘economy mode’, says professor

A university professor has claimed the Government could install “widgets” in people’s homes to control their air-conditioner temperature, limiting the amount of power being used on hot days.

The claim comes just a week after Sydney residents were warned of sweeping blackouts on the first hot day of the season.

Australian Energy Market Operator has used its powers to try and combat the issue, paying some residents to lessen their usage, as it desperately attempts to keep the power, or the air-conditioning, on in Australian homes with a sub-par power grid.

Monash University associate professor Roger Dargaville, who is a “large-scale energy system transition optimisation” expert, told the Herald Sun that the “widgets” in homes could be installed so a power provider or the Government could enforce temperature settings or “economy mode.”

“There will be a period of adjustment but it will be become normalised,” Dr Dargaville told the Melbourne publication.

“You’ll still have the same services available to you. These will be automatic and in the background.

“If the energy system was less volatile you wouldn’t need to use it,” he added, but said that was unrealistic given more extreme weather, reduced reliability of coal-fired power and more generation from variable sources such as wind and solar.

If the Government or energy providers will take over control of Australian air-conditioner temperature settings remains to be seen as AEMO attempts to find solutions for ongoing power shortages.