Long read: All for one, one for all
Australia already boasts one of the biggest pipeline of virtual power plant (VPP) projects. From big utilities to state governments, initiatives to orchestrate distributed energy resources that help support the grid have proliferated in recent years. Marija Maisch takes a look at Australia’s VPP ecosystem and how market players see it.
Rural power lines to be replaced with stand-alone solar and battery systems at WA farms
Western Australia’s government-owned regional utility Horizon Power is readying to roll out 13 solar and battery technology units at 14 far-flung farms in the Esperance region.
Carnegie commissions Garden Island microgrid project
WA-based renewable energy developer Carnegie Clean Energy has completed commissioning of a microgrid project, featuring 2 MW solar PV and 2 MW/0.5 MWh battery, at a naval base in Western Australia.
Western Power to roll out 57 stand-alone power systems at farms
The Western Australian government-owned utility has inked $8.8 million in contracts signed for the first stage of its landmark off-grid program for regional properties. The deployment will be led by local WA companies, Hybrid Systems and BayWa r.e. Solar Systems.
Pacific island nation re-tenders big solar-plus-storage project
An initial tender on Palau was won by French energy company Engie, through its unit Engie Electro Power Systems. The 100 MW microgrid project consisted of coupling 35 MW of solar and 45 MWh of storage with diesel generation.
Redflow batteries power remote Thai village
The Brisbane-based battery supplier has deployed 10 of its zinc-bromine flow batteries coupled with three li-ion batteries to store solar generated power in a far-flung village in northern Thailand.
India eyes South America’s lithium reserves for battery manufacturing
As India plans to set up large lithium-ion battery plants, the Lithium Triangle countries in South America (comprising Chile, Argentina and Bolivia) have offered to meet India’s growing demand for lithium.
Deakin University breaks ground on 7.25 MW solar-powered microgrid
The first sod has been turned on a $30 million smart microgrid which is to power Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds Campus. The project, featuring a 7 MW solar farm and a 1 MW battery, is delivered in partnership with AusNet Services and its subsidiary Mondo with the goal to provide an integrated research and education platform, and contribute to the university’s sustainability goals.
Victoria announces hydrogen program, community renewables grants
The Andrews Labor government is investing $2 million to boost the development of clean hydrogen energy technologies, and $1.1 million to support renewable energy projects in local communities across Victoria.
Santos to power oil well operations with solar+storage
In what is being billed as Australia’s first off-grid, 100% renewable energy project in the oil and gas sector, Santos will power 56 crude oil pumps into solar and battery storage. The project has won a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
