Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday launched an Energex trial of three battery storage systems, including a Tesla Powerwall battery configuration.
“New technologies like solar battery storage will dominate the next phase of the solar energy industry, and with it a whole new opportunity for new jobs,” said Ms Palaszczuk.
The Premier also inducted 22 new Energex apprentices into the EsiTrain facility at Rocklea.
“These new recruits will gain first-hand experience with the latest technology as part of their training here at Rocklea, which only cements Energex’s reputation as producing some of the world’s top electricians”.
Information gleaned from the trials will assist Energex in developing systems to manage new technologies such as home solar battery systems said the Premier.
It’s important information that is needed soon – a survey carried out last year indicated 81% of Australians who have installed or are considering installing solar power systems are also contemplating home energy storage.
In Queensland, this could mean a significant number of residential batteries appearing on the state’s electricity networks in the not too distant future.
“The way our customers consume electricity has changed significantly with the emergence of solar PV and battery technology and we have changed with them,” said Energex Executive General Manager Asset Management, Peter Price.
“The future of energy usage in Queensland is about choice; providing customers with a choice as to how they consume their electricity and how much they rely on the network.”
Queensland has the highest number of residential solar power systems installed in Australia and the state’s Government has a goal of one million solar rooftops, or 3,000 megawatts of solar PV capacity, by 2020.
In addition to Tesla’s Powerwall, other manufacturers will release their next generation residential energy storage systems in Australia this year, including products such the Enphase AC battery system.
Australia is seen as one of the world’s most promising markets for battery systems given the level of solar uptake here, coupled with comparatively high electricity costs and low feed in tariffs.
According to Energy Matters, a good quality and professionally installed 6.36kW solar power system installed in Brisbane incorporating a Tesla Powerwall battery can provide a financial benefit of between $1,964 and $2,493 a year, depending on installation scenario and self-consumption profile.
