Powerledger project recognised as international example of One Planet Living® framework

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Montreal Commons is a 39-apartment building in Fremantle, Western Australia, and will be one of the first ever carbon neutral (in operation) apartment buildings in Australia.

“OP Properties and Powerledger have worked together to create a model that makes residents better off over a long period of time from investing in renewables from the outset.

Almost 80 per cent of people would adopt peer to peer energy trading as long as they are better off financially. And a 50 per cent reduction in strata fees on an ongoing basis is a significant saving and will be a big motivating factor for potential buyers,” said Dr Jemma Green, Co-founder and Chairman of Powerledger.

The project will use 75 kW solar rooftop PVs with residents within Montreal Commons able to sell any excess solar electricity they generate back to an existing 670 kWh on-site battery using Powerledger’s energy trading platform.

“This not only incentivises households in the take up of renewable energy but creates an environment where they become “prosumers”: both consumers and producers of clean electricity,” said Dr Green.

Montreal Commons will produce about 240 tonnes less of carbon emissions per year compared to a typical apartment building. This is the equivalent to taking 50 cars off the road per annum.

Powered only by sustainable energy, the five-storey building, designed by Hillam Architects, will consist of 39 apartments, a basement carpark, public gardens, rooftop terrace, play space and ground-floor café.

“As one of the first carbon neutral certified apartments for its operations in Australia, it demonstrates that the vision for a decarbonised built environment is both affordable, achievable and commercial.

OP Properties’ approach has been to showcase to the world a project where people everywhere lead happy and healthy lives within the environmental limits of our one planet,” said Phil Donaldson, Bioregional Australia Foundation’s Chief Executive Leader.

From the outset OP Properties strived to create a highly sustainable apartment building that was financially the same or better than its competitors.

“The last two years have provided the opportunity for innovative new thinking around the way we live and work, with a strong focus on access to quality amenity, fresh air, sunlight and green spaces as well as the opportunity for working and exercising close to home. Montreal Commons helps set new benchmarks in sustainability and liveability,” said Luke Parker, Director of OP Properties.

The acknowledgement builds on Powerledger’s credentials as a champion for change, having also recently been awarded Global Champion at the World Summit Awards (WSA) for its work in promoting distributed energy in Uttar Pradesh, India.