A new project to transform Western Australian schools into smart, green Virtual Power Plants (VPP) has been announced as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
Ten schools have been selected to take part in the project, including Belridge Secondary College where the announcement was made, to receive commercial batteries and solar panels — if they do not already have them.
The batteries will enable schools to store their excess energy for later use, which will assist with grid stability.
A VPP is a network of distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles that are aggregated and shared with an energy retailer.
Minister for Energy, Bill Johnston said the schools, located in the South West Interconnected System, were determined by Synergy and the Department of Education based on operational, customer, system and technical considerations.
“Using VPPs means there is less of a need for traditional generation assets such as coal or gas, which is a step towards a more sustainable power system,” Mr Johnston said.
“It forms part of the WA Recovery Plan, which will boost innovative, clean energy projects throughout Western Australia.”
Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery said the pilot program would benefit schools and at the same time create new jobs and teach new skills to build the future electricity system.
“It will also provide an opportunity to further science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for students,” Ms Ellery said.
“Western Australian schools will become Virtual Power Plants, highlighting the integration of rooftop solar, batteries and other small-scale technologies into our power grid,” she said.
