A Canberra virtual power plant (VPP) has been recognised by Engineers Australia for its solar battery project.
ACT’s Reposit Power received the accolade for its technology, which makes the electricity system cheaper, cleaner and more reliable.
Reposit Power won the Sir William Hudson Award. This is the highest honour awarded for a project in the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards.
Because it allows energy utilities to tap into consumer’s solar batteries the VPP shores up the grid with secure renewable energy.
Canberra virtual power plant breaking new ground
According to Engineers Australia CEO Peter McIntyre, the ACT solar battery project is a world first and will protect network assets.
More than 500 households will participate in the VPP. This will then help solve problems in the wholesale electricity market and distribution network.
A VPP is really a network of small generators like rooftop solar installations. When connected up they form a single power source. This source then generates and shares energy.
It can also sell energy back to the grid during times of peak demand.
New role for energy utilities in Australia
ACT electricity and gas distributor Evoenergy partnered with Reposit Power to deliver the virtual power plant.
Origin Energy has also announced plans to build a 5 MW VPP in Victoria. This would connect 650 owners of solar battery systems.
The ACT Labor Government is contributing $4.5 million to the project. There are also plans to build eight more microgrids across the state at a cost of $37 million.
Meanwhile, South Australia has announced ambitious plans to build the world’s largest VPP. Up to 50,000 participating homes could therefore find their power bills slashed by 30 per cent.
Then SA Premier Jay Weatherill announced the project in February.
SonnenFlat: connecting batteries in a new age
Leading battery manufacturer sonnen claimed in July the global market for home energy storage is due for rapid expansion.
According to Sonnen MD/CFO Steffen Schneider, Australia is now a key player in provision of virtual power plants.
Owners of a sonnen battery in Australia can join the unique sonnenFlat scheme. They then receive a guaranteed amount of annual electricity and pay no electricity bills. Members instead pay a flat fee starting at $30 per month.
VPPs allow energy storage companies like sonnen to become power retailers too.
