Software/Gadgets

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.

University of Queensland-run research hub on Heron Island to be more than 80% solar powered, with addition of 500kW PV and 600kWh vanadium flow battery system.

North-east Victorian town forges ahead on 100% renewable plans, with new bulk-buy solar round, community retailer and microgrid projects.

Solar hot water is not what it used to be. Solar diverters use excess rooftop PV to heat water – like a cheap battery. And solar hot water pioneer SolaHart is now on board.

Survey reveals more than three-quarters of Australia's farmers plan to invest in solar and battery storage – and 20% are considering wind turbines, Angus Taylor – as the cost of power becomes a major agribusiness concern.

Origin wins $4.5m Victorian govt grant to build 5MW microgrid using the solar and battery storage of up to 650 customers.

Melbourne project to install shared solar and battery storage in three multi-tenanted buildings has won nearly $1m from the Victorian government.

Solar Analytics acquires PV-sharing startup, Matter, as it prepares to launch into a second stage of expansion and product development.

Enova Energy reveals plans to develop a microgrid in its home town, to encourage the roll-out of locally generated, stored and distributed power.

SA architecture taps home grown energy storage solution to get around a power supply problem that cropped up in the process of giving a 1916 building a 21st Century makeover.

New report shows taking part in demand response activities could save businesses up to 33 per cent on their power costs – and for very little effort. Used alongside the wholesale purchase of power and a corporate renewable PPA, the benefits to business can be substantial.

Local business and community in coastal town of Port Fairy begin work on developing multi-million dollar, renewables-based smart energy precinct.