Building Victoria’s Largest Virtual Power Plant
26 September 2018
Victorian Government:
The Andrews Labor Government will help
fund Victoria’s largest
virtual power plant, as part of a major
investment in
microgrid technology across
Victoria.
Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio today announced that $4.5 million
would be provided to
Origin Energy to develop a $20 million cloud-based
project that will distribute
power from up to 650 customers with solar
PV and batteries during peak periods.
The Origin Energy Virtual Power Plant (VPP) will boost grid stability by
discharging power from solar PV and batteries located at homes and
commercial and industrial sites to reduce their power bills.
The selected customers will receive discounted batteries, demonstrating
opportunities for coordinating solar PV, batteries and flexible demand
across Victoria.
A microgrid is a small network of
electricity users with a local supply
of power that can function independently of the electricity grid,
delivering energy security, sustainability and cost savings for those in
the network.
The VPP will provide benefits to the electricity network and help
Victoria reach its ambitious
renewable energy targets of 25 per cent by
2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.
The Microgrid Demonstration Initiative is providing $10 million to
support eight microgrid projects as part of the Labor Government’s $146
million Renewable Energy Action Plan.
These investments are in addition to the $1.3 billion Solar Homes
program which will deliver half-priced solar panels to 650,000 Victorian
households and solar hot water systems to 60,000 homes with no upfront
cost.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and
Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“We’re investing in new technologies that will help create jobs, attract
investment in renewable energy and bring down power prices.”
“We’re ensuring Victoria’s energy system is affordable, resilient and
secure, as we transition to the next generation of energy technologies.”
--ENDS--
Source: Victorian Government - www.premier.vic.gov.au
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