SENEC supplies battery storage systems for one of Australia’s most leading edge micro-grid projects
Perth, March 2019 – SENEC will equip one of Australia’s most leading edge microgrid projects in Onslow, Western Australia, with smart battery storage systems for the optimal use of solar power and local network support. SENEC is providing an important building block for Horizon Power’s significant project which will show how a high amount of distributed renewable energy can be connected to microgrids while maintaining the reliability and security of supply.
The battery storage systems supplied by SENEC are an important element in Horizon Power’s construction of the high distributed energy resource (DER) microgrid in Onslow. The Western Australian State Government owned power company Horizon Power is providing generous discounts on a selection of premium solar panel and battery storage systems to households and business in the coastal town.
It’s all part of Horizon Power’s Renewable Energy Pilot which is aiming to integrate traditional energy sources with solar panel and battery storage systems to maximise the amount of renewable energy in its microgrid in Onslow.
SENEC Australia was selected as the exclusive provider of battery storage systems which will be installed by MPS, a Western Australia-based specialist partner of SENEC. In conjunction with larger traditional and utility scale renewable generation plants, as well as the intelligent control of the microgrid, the pilot seeks to demonstrate that Onslow can sustainably and reliably be supplied with clean electricity.
Each of SENEC’s batteries will be integrated with Horizon Power’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS), the centralised control system that will “orchestrate” DER at times when intelligent control is required to maintain reliability of the microgrid.
The ability to integrate the batteries to the control system played an important role in selecting SENEC, part of one of the largest German electric utilities EnBW, as a partner in the project. The commitment to local engineering and technical support was an important criterion for Horizon Power in selecting the partner.
The perfect solution for Onslow
It is no coincidence that this independent microgrid, using decentralised renewable energy, is being implemented in the Western Australian coastal town of Onslow. The town’s 857 residents are located about 1,380 kilometres north of Perth, in the sparsely populated Pilbara region.
With between nine to 12 hours of sunshine per day almost all year round, Onslow is the perfect size and location for Horizon Power’s Renewable Energy Pilot. In addition, in conjunction with the planned solar farm and network battery, Onslow provides Horizon Power with the opportunity to bring the future forward and test a high amount of renewables in a small town grid.
Ian Parkinson, CEO of SENEC Australia said customer-side solar power and storage was a perfect solution for communities like Onslow.
“We are delighted we can help to ensure people have a reliable and sustainable power supply there”, said Mr Parkinson. “While at the same time, we are demonstrating our know-how and commitment to the Australian market.”
About SENEC:
Since 2009, SENEC GmbH has been developing and producing intelligent electricity storage systems and storage-based energy solutions in Leipzig. With more than 20,000 systems sold, SENEC is one of Europe’s most popular brands for innovative energy and storage solutions. SENEC has been repeatedly honoured by EuPD Research as a Top PV Brand Power Storage. The SENEC. Home storage system was last awarded the “German Excellence Award 2019” and the “Top Electricity Storage System 2018” seal. The news magazine Focus awarded the company the title “Growth Champion 2017”. The energy storage systems of the German manufacturer are among the most innovative and economical solutions on the market. Since 2018, SENEC has been a wholly owned subsidiary of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and Europe.
Further information at: www.senec.com/au