WA’s role in the world’s changing energy landscape

It’s no secret that Western Australia is one of the sunniest places in the world. What is less widely known is that WA is also emerging as a key location for exploring the world’s leading energy technology.

WA has come a long way from relying on traditional electricity sources to power our state. At Synergy, we’re working with a range of partners, including our State Government, to explore more renewable, smarter and more efficient ways to make, use, store and trade energy. Many Western Australians might be amazed to know about just some of the energy innovation happening in our own backyard right now.

 

WA’s first Virtual Power Plant 

Working with the State Government to find energy solutions for WA’s future energy needs, Synergy and a range of partners explored how virtual power plants (or VPPs) could be used in WA.

A VPP is a network of energy assets such as solar PV, batteries and electric vehicles, which are coordinated based on demand, providing the same services to the electricity system as a traditional power plant.  

The Schools VPP pilot project aimed to transform WA schools into smart and flexible VPPs. The project aimed to explore how to create more value for energy system security and sustainability. At the same time, we wanted to be able to help schools to find new ways to manage their electricity usage and provide some engaging educational opportunities too.

An Australian-first energy trial

PowerBank was an energy storage initiative managed by Synergy and Western Power that marked the first time in Australia that a utility-scale battery had been integrated into an established major metropolitan energy system, providing an alternative storage option for residents.

Following the success of the initial pilot in Meadow Springs in 2018, subsequent versions of the trial have been offered across other areas of the Peel region and Perth metropolitan area.

Energy innovation at Alkimos Beach

Every property in Alkimos Beach, in Perth’s northern suburbs, has a solar PV system size of 1.5KW or higher. This makes it an area with a high concentration of solar.  As part of an energy trial in this area, a community-size Lithium Ion energy storage device (known as a CESD) was installed in 2016 to store the excess solar energy generated. 

The trial at Alkimos Beach has now finished and the results have been extremely encouraging. Over the five years of the trial, participants saved more than $76,000* from their collective electricity bills. Community batteries can offer the benefits of solar and battery storage to the wider community – and they could play a bigger role in WA's future energy mix.

* Savings represented are approximate only and calculated by comparing the costs incurred by all trial participants on the Peak Demand Saver Plan to the costs they would have incurred on the standard Home Plan (A1) for the same period. 

Energy tech starts at home

On a much smaller scale, energy technology starts at home. Renewable energy products, using apps and smart technology to manage energy use and the rollout of advanced metering across the energy system are other examples of how WA is embracing new energy technology. 

Our intelligent energy future is already here. Everything we learn on both an individual level and from innovative projects like these helps us prepare for the next phase of our changing energy landscape.

Find out more about these trials.

 

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Synergy acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, water and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.