Battery storage will be installed in a number of public buildings in Adelaide as part of efforts to make South Australia’s capital the world’s first carbon neutral city.
In what is believed to be an Australian first, Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the State Government has issued an EOI for a $1.1 million battery storage demonstration project in Adelaide’s government buildings. The project involves design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the systems.
“The battery storage systems will be located at high profile sites within the City of Adelaide, such as the Museum, State Library and Art Gallery of South Australia, which all have existing roof top solar photovoltaic systems,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“Through this exciting project, the State Government will be demonstrating how integrating battery storage with solar photovoltaics can deliver multiple benefits of greenhouse gas reduction, energy load management and energy cost reductions.”
The battery storage demonstration EOI can be downloaded here. Submissions close 5:00 PM, 28 August 2015.
Mr. Koutsantonis says South Australia could be a significant early adopter market for battery storage given the number of residences and businesses with solar power panels installed. Small and large scale renewables combined make up 39% of the state’s energy sources and the state government has set a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2025. The state looks very likely to meet this target – and perhaps well ahead of time.
“Battery energy storage is an emerging global market, and storage systems offer particular benefits when combined with solar photovoltaics allowing for solar generation to be better matched to the building’s energy demands,” stated the Minister.
South Australia is also home to the country’s first incentive for battery storage.
Adelaide City businesses, residents, schools and community groups have been offered up to $5,000 for installing battery energy storage and up to $5,000 to install solar panels as part of an expanded Sustainable City Incentives Scheme endorsed by Adelaide City Council.
Home and commercial solar power in South Australia has proven to be a wise investment. According to Energy Matters, a 5kW solar panel system installed in Adelaide can return a financial benefit of $1,730 – $2,890 annually.
