In Episode 7 of Energy Matters, James Treble explores how the University of Wollongong is embracing energy innovation through Momentum Energy’s latest project, supported by funding granted to Hydro Tasmania by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Together with Leesa Blazley, Project Director at Momentum, James unpacks the finer details of the new Community Battery Project set to reshape the university’s approach to energy management.
With ARENA funding secured, ten batteries will be installed across the university campus, totalling 2MW* of storage capacity. This isn’t just about storing solar energy, it’s about smarter management of it. The batteries will be integrated into Hydro Tasmania’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP), which coordinates distributed energy resources as a unified system. Once connected, these batteries will support Australia’s electricity market. By participating in the spot market and Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS), the university can earn income while contributing to national grid stability. It’s a solid move that supports decarbonisation, energy resilience, and operational savings all at once.
Much of the planning and testing for the project is happening at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC), where James meets with Leesa to discuss the university’s broader commitment to renewable energy. The SBRC is more than just a research hub; it’s a practical testbed for new energy technologies, from efficient appliances to experimental energy systems.
James also chats with James Roth, Sustainability Manager at the University of Wollongong. He reveals that the campus consumes a staggering 34GWh of electricity annually. Despite extensive solar installations and efficiency upgrades, demand still outpaces supply. The new battery network, paired with additional solar capacity rolling out over the next four years, will help balance energy generation and consumption.
Importantly, the batteries will enable the university to store energy for use during peak times or when prices spike—a smart way to cut costs and boost sustainability. Through Momentum’s Virtual Solar Sharing (VSS) initiative, the university can also spread the financial benefits of excess solar generation across its facilities, making the most of every watt generated.
At the SBRC, researchers test everything from LED lighting to consumer electronics. It’s vital work that demands reliable, cost-effective energy. By integrating into the VPP and leveraging stored power, the university can protect this research from high energy costs and grid instabilities.
Hydro Tasmania’s VPP is a coordinated energy platform that brings together decentralised energy assets, like rooftop solar, batteries, and appliances, into a network. This setup lets participating businesses and institutions act collectively to support the grid, sell excess energy, or reduce usage when prices surge.
For the University of Wollongong, it means tapping into new income streams and stabilising campus energy use.
To help organisations explore the benefits of joining a VPP, Momentum offers a a free backcast. This clever analysis tool uses historical energy data to estimate what an organisation could have earned by being part of the VPP. It’s a powerful way to assess potential savings and build the case for change. Your business can register for a backcast via the Momentum Energy website.
Virtual Solar Sharing lets large-scale solar operators distribute the financial value of excess solar generation across various buildings, even if they’re not physically connected. For multi-site organisations like universities, this is a game-changer. It ensures solar-generated savings can benefit the whole institution, not just the buildings with panels on the roof.
Batteries and VPPs are transforming how we think about energy. For the University of Wollongong, these tools offer financial resilience, emissions reduction, and grid reliability, with scalability to boot.
With more Australian institutions looking for real, renewable solutions, projects like this prove that clean energy isn’t just possible—it’s practical.
Hydro Tasmania received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of the Community Battery Round 1 under ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government, and the Australian Government does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein.
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