Distributed energy systems trial to begin in WA

Horizon Power will soon begin a $7.1m pilot project to install a variety of distributed energy technologies in 90 homes and businesses in Carnarvon, Western Australia.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced it will allocate $1.9 million to Horizon Power to trial a variety of behind-the-meter distributed energy systems.

The technology tested will include ‘Internet of Things’ energy metering, rooftop solar, household battery storage and inverters with remote monitoring and control devices, and weather forecast devices. 

The three-year trial aims to overcome the technical and commercial barriers faced by ‘prosumers’, to reduce the cost of distributed energy systems by up to 25%.

The project will test the commercial viability of delivering high-penetration distributed renewable energy to regional off-grid towns, facilitating increasing renewables in existing microgrids. ARENA Chief Executive Officer Ivor Frischknecht said the pilot project is the first of a series of trials that Horizon plans to undertake.

“These trials of distributed energy systems will explore the most cost-effective way of designing and managing a future grid,” Frischknecht said.

“If we can resolve the technical and cost barriers of distributed energy systems and get metering, monitoring, solar and storage to work as a whole, we can make better use of these assets, reduce costs and empower prosumers.”

WA Minister for Energy Ben Wyatt said, “The state government is committed to supporting the development and refinement of technological solutions that advance a renewable future and we are delighted that ARENA have chosen to invest in such important trials that will ultimately see more renewable energy installed in regional Western Australia.”