Residential solar and battery storage trial

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $400,000 support for Ergon Energy Queensland (Ergon Energy Retail) to explore a new approach for providing solar PV and battery storage systems to residential customers.

“The project will trial a ‘virtual power plant’ model by installing a number of centrally monitored and controlled solar/storage systems in Cannonvale, Toowoomba and Townsville, Queensland,” explained ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht.

“This will show whether systems can be effectively coordinated to add value to the network by managing the supply of renewable energy into the grid, performing demand management and reducing network peak load.”

Frischknecht said Ergon Energy Retail will investigate and test the customer and technology requirements for and barriers to implementing the business model. The company will undertake a 12-month pilot demonstration using 33 systems consisting of a 4.9 kW SunPower PV array and a 12 kWh/5 kW Sunverge battery storage and control system.

“The pilot will draw on real customer and operational experiences to provide a deeper understanding of the costs and benefits of the model,” Frischknecht said.

“Ergon Energy Retail will also explore how its solar PV and battery storage systems can achieve the greatest value on the grid, with a view to proceeding to a commercialisation phase and product launch.

“If this trial proves the potential viability of this type of model, it could open another avenue for Australian consumers, businesses and utilities to benefit from renewable energy.”

Frischknecht said the $2.6 million project is part of the growing momentum behind battery storage and could speed up the adoption of renewable energy.