IMA established to accelerate energy transformation

Schneider Electric has announced its founding membership of the International Microgrid Association (IMA), offering global expertise for the shift towards decentralised, reliable, digitised and low-carbon electricity networks.

Headquartered in Perth, the IMA has gathered global experts from the energy industry to accelerate the movement towards microgrids.

“The IMA is an industry-first development body dedicated to bringing together the best in the power industry to support collaboration and influence regulation, investment and innovation in microgrid development,” IMA Chair Terry Mohn said. “Schneider Electric is a key player in this market, able to provide not only detailed understanding on the technology but also thought leadership.”

A microgrid is a form of distributed energy generation that can function independently from the traditional, centralised regional power grid. It can also act as a standalone power option.

“Microgrids are providing the means for any energy-intensive business, universities, small towns and urban precincts to set up their own energy sources and storage systems, distribute that energy locally and even sell excess power back to a utility,” said Simon Mouat, Vice President of Power Systems at Schneider Electric Pacific Zone.

“As a founding partner of the International Microgrid Association, we are able to drive the transformation conversation, ensuring that consumers, businesses and governments are best informed to take this next step in power automation,” he said.

“Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria have invested in microgrid projects that we can all learn from, plus we can share what we have learnt from building them in [the] USA, Europe and Scandinavia.”

Director of Utility Power Systems for Schneider Electric James Colbert said, “The Australian Energy Market Commission’s support of standalone power systems and the federal government’s $50 million funding commitment to back microgrid projects in rural Australia in order to provide stable power for residents is a strong endorsement. Australian electricity companies already operate in the most challenging of global markets due to the harsh environment, distances and opaque national policy settings,” he added.

“There is potential for rapid growth in the local market with both government and businesses looking to invest in alternative energy solutions. The IMA plays a key role in promoting the industry to stakeholders, regulators and end users.”

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