Seventeen schools from across the South West Interconnected System are involved in the utility’s overall program, which is aimed at optimising renewable energy output from distributed energy resources (DER) like rooftop solar systems, batteries and electric vehicles.
The virtual power plant (VPP) technology will do this by aggregating selected DER to generate and store electricity at a local level, providing the same services to the electricity system as traditional centralised generation.
As a part of the program’s second round, Hybrid Systems Australia will install four solar–battery systems, ranging from 40 kW to 100 kW of solar and 200 kWh to 400 kWh of battery storage.
Synergy will use the equipment to test how VPPs can help schools better manage their electricity consumption and hopefully reduce energy costs.
The systems will also allow Synergy to dispatch the stored solar energy as higher demand requires, enabling energy shifting and grid stabilisation functionality.
Hybrid Systems Australia’s Executive Director, Mike Hall, said the company was pleased to be a part of a project that delivered such tangible benefits to the community.
“The Schools Virtual Power Plant pilot will play a key role in orchestrating renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously helping the energy sector find new ways to reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel generation and large-scale assets,” he said.
“It will deliver meaningful results to the schools right now and move us and our future generations towards a more sustainable future.
“Being involved in projects like this is just another example of how Hybrid Systems Australia is delivering on its commitment to being an early adopter and developer of green technology and innovations, so there are smiles all round.”
Hybrid Systems Australia, which is a subsidiary of the QIC-owned Pacific Energy Group, will install PV panels and batteries at Champion Bay Senior High School, Geraldton Senior High School, Waggrakine Primary School and Kalbarri District High School, and expects the systems to be operational by the end 2023.
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