100 Perth residents closer to trialling Synergy battery storage

State-owned electricity provider Synergy has declared itself to be at the ‘leading edge’ of energy management and storage technologies, after selecting a Perth contractor for a trial electricity battery storage project in Perth’s north.

Perth-based solar construction and engineering company Energy Made Clean (EMC), which was selected from 13 companies in a competitive tender, will supply and install the 1.1 megawatt hour lithium energy storage system.

It’s anticipated about 100 Alkimos Beach residents who volunteered for the trial will be offered sustainable living education, access to energy storage, rebates for solar PV and hot water systems, and in-home energy display units to monitor generation and use free of charge.

The trial, estimated to cost $6.7 million over four years, has received $3.3 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and is being developed in collaboration with land developers Lend Lease and LandCorp.

Synergy chief executive Jason Waters said the trial would provide valuable lessons about how to integrate new technology energy storage solutions into Western Australia’s established electricity network.

“Synergy is excited to be at the leading edge of energy management and storage technologies through its association with the trial at Alkimos Beach and we look forward to working with EMC and sharing its knowledge and experience in deploying this new technology,” he said.

EMC chief executive John Davidson said the trial was the first of its kind in Australia and, following on-site works starting in September, residents could expect to be involved from early 2016.

EMC has previously been involved in installing and commissioning a 624 kilowatt hour lithium battery storage system coupled with renewable energy at an eco resort on Thevenard Island.

It has also provided a solar power project for agribusiness firm CBH Group and took the Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation off-grid.