WA suburb trialling battery storage

A four-year residential battery storage trial, which has begun for the Western Australian suburb Alkimos, aims to provide insights into the benefits of integrating solar generation, energy storage and dispatch into a traditional electricity network.

The groundbreaking $6.7 million trial, funded in part ($3.3 million) by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is expected to save participating customers 15% or more on their electricity bills.

The project is the result of collaborations between Synergy and development partners LandCorp and Lendlease, and includes the installation of a 1.1 MWh energy storage facility and rebates for solar panels, hot water systems and energy-efficient appliances.

It also includes in-home energy monitoring, a variable price plan with reduced rates for network electricity, and an education and behavioural change program.

WA Minister for Energy Mike Nahan said the trial could change energy infrastructure design in future urban developments.

“Energy storage is the next logical step in new technology and consumers are demanding solutions from the energy provider which package solar and storage. This exciting trial will inform us about how we can achieve holistic benefits — for consumers, government and developers.”

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said the central 1.1 MWh lithium-ion battery storage has been installed in two shipping containers in the suburb, which will store power from more than 100 rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

“This model has the potential to offer residents cheaper electricity bills and reduce grid connection costs for future new developments.”

Frischknecht said there is also a need to better understand how solar and community-scale storage can operate within traditional networks.

“For example, right now there are no tariffs that allow community energy storage to discharge onto electricity networks. The trial provides an opportunity for follow-on projects, particularly if similar models are adopted at other residential developments.”

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