Software/Gadgets

Victorian Labor government introduces new requirement making “smart inverters” mandatory for solar systems installed under its Solar Homes scheme.

Ausgrid and Reposit Power launch pilot 1MW virtual power plant linking the rooftop solar and battery storage of 233 customers across 170 NSW suburbs.

Can portable, personal cooling devices keep you cool in summer? And what are the potential energy/carbon benefits? I tested two quite different personal air conditioners.

Rooftop solar trading platform by Energy Locals and Enosi puts consumers in charge of who they sell their excess PV generation to, and for how much, while opening the household solar market to those previously "locked out."

Amber Electric is a power retailer that wants its customers to use more power at cheap times, and less power at expensive times. Sound suspicious? Here's how – and why – it works.

"Breakthrough moment" in US, as local solar energy resources compete with centralised power in highly price-sensitive wholesale power markets.

Creating Solar Friendly Neighbourhoods trial in Victoria could significantly enhance ability of electricity networks to accommodate more rooftop solar power.

US collaboration between LO3 and MotorWerks will test tools to let consumers buy and sell electricity within microgrids using their homes and vehicles.

Monash Uni installs Australia's largest commercial behind-the-meter battery storage system – a 1MWh hybrid system combining vanadium flow and lithium-ion.

RMI and Save the Children to install renewable microgrids in 12 schools in Puerto Rico, ensuring access to education, bolstering the grid, and serving the larger community.

New-build, off-grid school north of Perth, Western Australia, becomes first in Australia to be powered completely by rooftop solar and battery storage.

Victorian government backs microgrid in Victoria's north-east that will trial the use of solar, storage and smart controls to manage network security and avoid costly line upgrades.

Australia's "first" privately funded VPP hopes to sign up 1000 homes and businesses in south-west WA to zero up-front cost deal for solar and battery storage.

ARENA tips $2.9m into microgrid trial to use a locally designed smart software platform to help run Monash University's Clayton campus entirely on renewables.

Australia's networks have gone from raising the drawbridge to lowering it, inviting new technologies and ideas on to their platform. And sooner or later they are going to be competing for access to the consumer.

The retail outlets of ASX listed Vicinity Centres could soon sell solar energy, too, after adding Power Ledger's energy sharing technology to their massive solar and battery storage plans.