Australia to Use ‘Talking’ Fridges to Reduce Global Warming
Australian researchers have figured out a cool new way to tackle the threat of global warming, by setting up a network of ‘talking’ fridges.
But wait, the idea isn’t as crazy as it might sound. The fridges feature cutting-edge technology enabling them to communicate with each other via a network to share and store energy from renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines.
According to inventor, Sam West, “The fridges are designed to talk to each other, negotiating when it’s a good time to consume electricity and when it’s better not to.”
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The network was invented by a team of researchers from Australia’s CSIRO Intelligent Energy team. The idea is that the fridges can help overcome fluctuations in renewable energy supply, caused by weather variations like cloud cover or low winds, by switching on or off depending on how much surplus power is available.
“The fridges work together to decide when to cool down, and thus consume power, based on how much surplus power will be available. In short, the fridges are working cooperatively to use the available power supply efficiently,” said West.
So it’s finally true, the robots have come to save mankind…
Image Credit - johntrainor via flickr on a Creative Commons license
Adding intelligence to appliances is a very smart idea, as this practice can even out demand on the power grid and make the best use of alternative energy sources. If entire communities were made “intelligent” the savings could be dramitic.
This practise has already been in place with many other appliances and is already to be extended to others. Energex is one distribution company that has looked into controlling when pool pumps, air conditioners, hot water systems and even vending machines, other technology include AMI and Smart Grid to reduce peak load.