Solar and battery virtual power plant trial launches in Alice Springs

The Northern Territory Labor government has launched a virtual power plant (VPP) trial in Alice Springs involving 50 participants with solar and battery storage systems.

The Solar Connect VPP was first announced back in June as part of the Northern Territory’s larger Alice Springs Future Grid project.

Fast forward four months, and the Solar Connect VPP was officially launched in Alice Springs late last week. Designed to test the economic and energy efficiency of a VPP in the remote town, the Solar Connect VPP consists of around 50 participants.

Most of the participants enrolled in the Solar Connect VPP are residential energy customers who have rooftop solar PV and battery storage systems.

The VPP trial will test the reliability of collective small-scale generation and its ability to provide power to the local grid in times of high stress when more power is needed. The trial will assist in meeting as-needed peak electricity demand through the coordinated dispatch of stored solar energy from residential customers’ battery storage systems.

Solar Connect VPP is being delivered as part of the Alice Springs Future Grid project – part of the Northern Territory’s larger plan to achieve 50% renewable energy by 2030. The Future Grid project is supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), as well as the Australian and Territory governments.

“The Territory Labor Government is delivering a green energy future through a range of renewable projects across the NT,” said Selena Uibo, the NT governments minister for renewables and energy.

“The VPP will help stabilise the power grid and reduce household dependence on energy from centralised electricity generators.

“We know lessons learnt through this project will help inform our future electricity system plans and it is encouraging to see Alice Springs locals contributing to this bank of knowledge through their participation in this innovative trial.”

The Solar Connect VPP is being coordinated by non-profit Desert Knowledge Australia. The main project partners include Alice Springs-based technical consultancy firm Ekistica, the Arid Lands Environment Centre, Jacana Energy, and Power and Water Corporation – which is integrating the VPP into its electricity system.