The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Energy has developed Project Symphony, demonstrating how large numbers of batteries, rooftop solar panels and large appliances can be co-ordinated into a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
Minister for Energy, Bill Johnston said VPPs combined individual systems to create community-scale systems that helped balance electricity supply and demand.
“For example, if there is excess power being generated by rooftop solar systems in a community, it can be managed through storing energy and adjusting how much energy is being used,” Mr Johnston said.
“Southern River, where almost 50 per cent of households have rooftop solar, will host the largest VPP with more than 500 households and businesses expected to participate.”
He said Project Symphony was expected to provide immediate benefits for Western Power’s network and pave the way for more innovative use of VPPs across the State’s main electricity grid.
“Project Symphony will build on previous projects and trials by Synergy and Western Power and will benefit from the experience of Horizon Power’s Onslow Renewable Energy Pilot. It will also use learnings from VPP trials in the Eastern States,” Mr Johnston said.
“This exciting initiative forms part of the Government’s Distributed Energy Resources Roadmap, which commits to creating a cleaner, greener, energy future.”
