EcoGeneration December - January 2024

ISSUE 140 | DECEMBER 2023

OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY THE CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL

Storage solution The battery boom giving Australians energy independence

Laying a blueprint for the nation to achieve its renewable energy targets.

Monitoring the impact of electric vehicle charging on the grid.

Navigating Australia’s path out of the energy crisis.

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Contents ISSUE 140 | DECEMBER 2023

18

22

46

THE SOLAR INSTALLER Solar news............................................................................................................................... 34 Australian battery guide 2023 ........................................................................ 36 A storage solution built for off-grid battery systems.............42

FEATURES Record attendance at All-Energy Australia ................................ 18 Monitoring the impact of EV charging on the grid............ 22 Australia’s path out of the energy crisis......................................... 28 Food processing plant goes green ...................................................... 30 Brisbane to host global clean energy event............................. 32

Meeting Australia’s demand for total energy solutions.......43 Pioneering excellence in battery technology ................................ 44 Solis: The key to unlocking life-changing opportunities.... 46 PERC solar inventers recognised with award.................................48 Solar for town and country..................................................................................50 Hoymiles puts spotlight on microinverters........................................52 Powering pathways to a solar career...................................................... 53 Forging a clean future ............................................................................................... 54

REGULARS From the editor......................................................................................................................6 News in brief.............................................................................................................................. 8 Industry update with Kane Thornton......................................................... 16

Improving solar performance through drone testing ......... 58

54

Clean energy market wrap.................................................................................. 56

CONTENT Best practice for PV panel care..................................................................... 20 Dialling up clean energy investment.........................................................24 Collective plea for renewables funding ..................................................25 New initiative supporting energy storage...........................................26 Small-scale hydro energy from farm dams ................................... 27 Managing financial risk of wind energy....................................................31

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EDITORIAL

Chief Executive Officer: John Murphy Managing Editor: Molly Hancock molly.hancock@primecreative.com.au

From the editor

A

nick.lovering@primecreative.com.au Client Success Manager: Karyssa Arendt karyssa.arendt@primecreative.com.au Production Manager: Michelle Weston Head of Design: Blake Storey Designer: Kerry Pert Subscriptions: T: +61 3 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au

Published by: PRIME CREATIVE MEDIA PTY LTD ABN: 51 127 239 212 379 Docklands Drive Melbourne VIC 3008, Australia T: +61 3 9690 8766 www.primecreativemedia.com.au

www.ecogeneration.com.au ISSUE 140 | DECEMBER

2023

OFFICIALLY ENDORSED

BY THE CLEAN ENERGY

COUNCIL

Storage solution

The battery boom giving Australians energy independence

2023

Gavin Dennett

Business Development Manager: Nick Lovering, 0414 217 190

ISSUE 140 | DECEMBER

s we come to the end of 2023, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the past 12 months in Australia’s clean energy industry. In the policy space, there have been giant strides made on the path to net-zero emissions, including the establishment of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy and National Net Zero Authority, plus a review of the National Hydrogen Strategy.

This is in addition to amendments to the Safeguard Mechanism, the introduction of the New Energy Apprenticeships Program and a major overhaul of vocational training in small-scale renewables to address the skills shortage. These initiatives are helping drive Australia towards the nation’s 82 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, and the legislated 43 per cent emissions goal by the same year, with net-zero by 2050.

The rapid growth of the clean energy sector was on full display at All-Energy Australia in Melbourne, in October, with the nation’s largest renewables event enjoying a record-breaking year for attendance. The lengthy queue to get through the front doors on the opening morning is testament to the attractiveness of the event, and the more than 11,500 people who were present during the two days is proof of a booming industry. With event exhibitor numbers on the expo floor up 21 per cent on 2022, you could feel the collective enthusiasm for the latest innovations in solar, inverters, energy storage, hydrogen and electric vehicles. You can read a wrap of AllEnergy Australia on page 18.

Also in this issue is a snapshot of the Clean Energy Council’s integrated blueprint to help Australia achieve its renewables targets (page 20); a feature on monitoring the impact of electric vehicle charging on the grid (page 22); analysis of Australia’s roadmap out of the current energy crisis (page 28); and a comprehensive battery guide for installers (page 36).

This issue is also my last as editor of EcoGeneration. I’d like to thank all contributors and readers for their support of this publication and for making my time at the helm worthwhile.

Onwards and upwards as Australia navigates its energy transition.

Molly Hancock will be taking on the publication as editor, which you can contact her at molly.hancock@primecreative.com.au

Editor: Gavin Dennett

Cover images:

(Main) Shutterstock (Inset — left to right): Adobe Stock for all three. the nation to Laying a blueprint for energy targets. achieve its renewable

of electric Monitoring the impact the grid. vehicle charging on

Navigating Australia’s the energy crisis.

path out of

EcoGeneration is printed on Lumi paper which is PEFC-certified and manufactured in an ISO 14001-certified mill. Lumi paper also contains premium white waste paper, reducing matter going into landfill. This magazine is available to interested parties throughout Australia and overseas.

The magazine is also available by subscription.

The publisher welcomes editorial contributions from interested parties, however, the publisher and the Editorial Board accept no responsibility for the content of these contributions and the views contained therein are not necessarily those of the publisher or of the Editorial Board. The publisher and the Editorial Board do not accept responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, by providing editorial material to Prime Creative Media, including text and images, you are providing permission for that material to be subsequently used by Prime Creative Media, whole or in part, edited or unchanged, alone or in combination with other material in any publication or format in print or online or howsoever distributed, whether produced

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EcoGeneration Editor

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EcoGeneration acknowledges the Cammeraygal people, traditional custodians of the land on which this publication is produced, and we pay our respects to their elders past and present.

We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.

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News in brief NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW PROJECTS, NEW IDEAS

Australia and Indonesia sign agreement for battery research A memorandum of understanding has been signed by battery research centres in Australia and Indonesia, with the aim to strengthen collaboration in energy storage research, technology and innovation between the two nations.

Australia’s Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) and Indonesia’s National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) have entered into the agreement to collaborate on capacity building; education and training; developing the battery ecosystem; and battery standardisation.

The FBICRC was established in 2019 through the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Program. It brings together 73 participants across 15 research projects and is the largest partnership of industry, government and researchers focused on battery industries in Australia.

FBICRC projects are valued at $120 million and span the value chain from

Australia and Indonesia sign agreement for battery research.

mining through to processing, manufacturing, services, recycling and reuse of batteries.

It is currently participating in a trade mission to Indonesia, comprising 130 representatives across industry and government with the aim of diversifying Western Australia’s economy across the sectors of energy transition, creative industries and the digital economy, international education, primary industries, and tourism.

The Australian and Indonesian governments are committed to ongoing engagement with the FBICRC to grasp the research skills and industry expertise required to support future battery and critical minerals supply chains.

“Australia and Indonesia have great potential to accelerate the global energy transition,” FBICRC CEO Shannon O’Rourke (above right) said. “This collaboration with NBRI is a practical demonstration of turning intent into tangible action. We very much look forward to working together.”

The NBRI was established in 2020 by Professor Evvy Kartini (pictured, above left) as an independent institute for electrochemical energy storage science and technology, supporting research, training and education.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the Western Australian Government and FBICRC for this opportunity to learn from Australian experts and help Indonesia become a global player in the battery market,” she said.

Australia rejoins United Nations Green Climate Fund The Federal Government has announced Australia will rejoin the United Nations Green Climate Fund, a collective that finances climate mitigation in developing countries.

Australia withdrew financial support for the fund in 2018, but Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced the nation will rejoin it at the request of several Pacific nations.

The United Nations Green Climate Fund is the fifth-largest source of climate finance in the Pacific region through grants and concessional loans. A recent report from the Lowy Institute revealed that every dollar Australia contributes to the fund unlocks up to $1.60 in additional global climate finance.

It has raised more than $20 billion in two funding rounds since it was launched in 2015. Australia contributed to the first round, Australia rejoins United Nations Green Climate Fund.

8 | ecogeneration December 2023

but withdrew its support for round two, as did the US, citing governance concerns with the operation of the fund.

The Green Climate Fund has also previously been criticised for a perceived lack of direction and strategy, and politicised decisions by board members.

A spokesperson for Minister Wong said Australia is vowing to drive change in the fund’s governance process.

“Australia will be rejoining the Green Climate Fund, with a modest contribution to be announced before the end of the year,” the spokesperson said.

“We have taken onboard feedback from our partners in the Pacific on the best ways to direct our climate finance efforts and ensure all elements deliver for Pacific priorities.

“We recognise the Green Climate Fund is the most prominent global climate finance fund. We will work with partners to improve its effectiveness.”

Australia will also continue to work directly with Pacific nations on sustainability and clean energy projects.

“Australia is supporting the Pacific’s transition to renewable energy and is helping countries build climate resilience,” the spokesperson said.

“We will continue to boost direct financing to the Pacific, building on our increased development assistance for the region.”

Recent Green Climate Fund initiatives include a $10 million solar project in Fiji and a $47 million project to help Tonga shift away from reliance on diesel-generated power.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Australian business supports phasing out fossil fuels by 2040 New research released from the Carbon Markets Institute reveals nearly half of all businesses support Australia becoming a net-zero economy by 2040, and 75 per cent endorse the phasing out of fossil fuels by the same year.

The 10th annual survey by the Carbon Markets Institute polled 301 respondents, including company executives and board members.

The research also reveals almost two-thirds of respondents support Australia introducing a carbon border adjustment mechanism to protect industries from imports from countries that don’t impose such restrictions on carbon emissions.

Europe imposed a carbon border adjustment mechanism on 1 October, 2023.

In terms of policy and guidance on corporate decarbonisation, 45 per cent of respondents said it is currently insufficient from the Federal Government, while 92 per cent called for a national carbon market strategy.

The Federal Government’s revised Safeguard Mechanism came into effect on 1 July, 2023, which enforces Australia’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters to keep their emissions below a baseline level, and 80 per cent of survey respondents said it is already having an effect.

Building Victoria’s largest urban solar farm.

Building Victoria’s largest urban solar farm

Australian business supports phasing out fossil fuels by 2040.

10 | ecogeneration December 2023

La Trobe University is building Victoria’s largest urban solar farm at its Bundoora campus in northeast Melbourne, as part of a 3.5-hectare Renewable Zone.

The university is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2029, and the $10 million Renewable Zone will include a 2.9MW solar energy system and 2.5MW battery energy storage system.

When complete, total solar generation at the Bundoora campus will be 5.8MW. Construction on the solar farm will commence in 2024, and it will feature 4300 solar panels, which will generate enough renewable energy to reduce La Trobe University’s emissions by 15 per cent – the equivalent of household emissions for the entire neighbouring suburb of Kingsbury.

“Our commitment to net zero by 2029 will see our University City of the Future become a leading energy and water efficient city, using renewable technologies

to support local climate resilience and positive environmental impact,” La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said.

“The Renewable Zone is a vital step in this journey. Universities are perfectly placed to not just research ways to reduce emissions and develop renewable energy technologies, but to be change leaders in implementing innovative solutions.”

The Renewable Zone will be located on vacant university land on the corner of Plenty Road and Kingsbury Drive.

More than 40,000 plants and 600 trees will be planted to improve biodiversity of the site, with a focus on indigenous plants sourced from the La Trobe Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

NSW Government pledges $45 million to Newcastle hydrogen hub The NSW Government has committed $45 million funding to build the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub on Kooragang Island, in northern Newcastle.

The commercial-scale green hydrogen manufacturing facility will be led by Origin Energy and is designed to aid emissionsheavy industries to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

The hub will produce green hydrogen through electrolysis which can used to store energy.

It will initially deliver approximately 55MW of electrolyser capacity by 2026, with plans to scale up to 1GW capacity during the next decade.

The electrolyser will be connected to the grid, and the first stage of the project is expected to produce 5500 tons of green hydrogen annually.

A majority of the hydrogen produced will be used by explosives manufacturer Orica at its ammonia manufacturing plant on the Kooragang Island site. Hydrogen will also fuel buses and trucks operating at the hub.

The NSW Government funding adds to the Federal Government’s $70 million

NSW Government pledges $45 million to Newcastle hydrogen hub.

commitment to the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub that was announced in July 2023.

“The Hunter area is one of NSW’s leading industrial regions that contributes $50 billion to the state’s gross product and has a critical role to play in our clean energy transition,” NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said.

“Projects such as the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub are vital to decarbonising the industrial sector as we work towards a net-zero future.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in clean technologies which will

create new jobs, business opportunities and allow NSW to become a clean energy superpower.”

Sharpe said NSW’s green hydrogen industry has the potential to add $6.4 billion in gross state product and support 10,000 new jobs.

The Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub project will deliver up to 150 direct jobs, and up to 65 indirect construction jobs in the Hunter region.

Construction is set to commence in 2025 with hydrogen production expected in 2026.

Electric vehicles for Australian mines Industrial decarbonisation company CoolPlanet has extended its partnership with Australian energy transition specialist Climatech Zero to facilitate the electrification of light vehicles on mine sites.

CoolPlanet licenses its analytics, reporting and decarbonisation system, CoolPlanetOS, exclusively to Climatech Zero in Australia and New Zealand, and the company has signed a new agreement to license its Autonomous Vehicle Operating System to Climatech Zero in the region.

Electric vehicles for Australian mines.

12 | ecogeneration December 2023

Both systems are set to be integrated into Huber Automotive’s Electric Land Cruisers, with the aim of introducing the vehicles to Australia in early 2024 as part of the acceleration of the mining industry’s decarbonisation initiatives.

CoolPlanet and Climatech Zero expect to sell 200 electric Land Cruiser mining vehicles in 2024, with projections of 1000 sales in 2025, and 6000 in 2026.

Climatech Zero provides five Australian mining companies with energy reduction services. In addition to facilitating the purchase of light electric mining vehicles, it will continue to manage servicing and maintenance operations on the ground, ensuring optimal onsite performance and safety standards.

“We are fortunate to have a strong, experienced Australian partner in Climatech Zero,” Norman Crowley, founder and chairman of CoolPlanet, said.

“We have worked closely with this team for several years and have confidence in their energy transition skills.

“The extension of our partnership to the mining sector is exciting and another significant milestone in CoolPlanet’s commitment to driving sustainable solutions in industries that are traditionally energy intensive.”

The commercial relationship between CoolPlanet and Climatech Zero began in 2018.

“CoolPlanet is a pioneer in decarbonisation, energy transition, electric vehicles and advanced operating systems that support leading edge engineering,” Peter O’Connell, CEO and co-founder of Climatech Zero, said.

“We are looking forward to partnering with miners to achieve their challenging energy transition milestones.”

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NEWS IN BRIEF New calculator helping drivers save.

EV costs: New calculator helping drivers save Australian consumers seeking to buy an electric vehicle can now weigh up the cost savings compared to petrol or diesel cars thanks to Macquarie Bank’s new EV Savings Calculator.

The interactive calculator deduces potential savings of an EV balanced against the cost of fuel and electric charging, running and insurance costs, and environmental benefits through a measure of reduction in operational emissions.

It displays results in a graphical format that compares the purchase and running costs of an EV against a petrol, diesel or hybrid equivalent.

“We often hear that cost is one of the biggest barriers to EV uptake so we developed the calculator to support customers in understanding costs associated with purchasing and running an EV,” Peter van der Westhuyzen, Macquarie Bank’s head of institutional, direct and customer solutions said.

“While upfront financial costs of an EV might currently be higher than a petrol, diesel or hybrid equivalent, there may be a break-even point further down the line where the cost savings on fuel and maintenance mean an EV can become relatively more attractive during the life of the vehicle.

“Many of our customers are also conscious of the impact their current vehicle can have on the planet so our calculator also

measures potential operational emissions savings to be made through the purchase of an EV.” Users of the EV Savings Calculator can set parameters for potential savings across five, 10 or 15 years, and can include any applicable state or territory benefits or rebates into the calculation.

It also has an option to select how an EV is powered, either through the grid or off-grid from solar.

“Our goal is to support customers who are interested in transitioning to an EV by helping them realise potential financial and environmental benefits in a digestible format,” van der Westhuyzen said.

“The calculator displays practical everyday comparisons of potential CO₂ savings so customers can relate to the environmental benefits of any reductions of operational CO₂ emissions in a tangible way.

“For example, one tonne of CO₂ emissions would be equivalent to the emissions from approximately five return economy flights for one person from Sydney to Melbourne.

“We believe the EV Savings Calculator will make it much easier for customers to source the information they need when deciding on their new vehicle purchase.”

Clean energy offering new opportunities for Australian-made steel Renewable energy is presenting new opportunities for Australian-made steel, including the production of clean energy infrastructure such as wind turbines.

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic recently told the Australian Steel Institute’s annual convention in Melbourne that the steel industry will benefit from investment in the nation’s renewable energy sector.

In his opening address at the convention for Australia’s peak steel body, Husic said Australian-made steel has a key role to play in the shift to advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and low emissions.

“We want to be a country that makes things,” he said. “Australian-made steel will play a vital role in that vision.

“As a result, the net result is higher paid jobs and greater prosperity for Australians everywhere.”

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Clean energy offering new opportunities for Australian-made steel.

Husic said Australian-made steel is crucial to the economy, employing 140,000 workers and generating $30 billion in annual revenue for the nation.

“I am the son of a metal worker and I know how important steel is to the nation,” he said.

“Important as the industry is today, it can be bigger and better.”

Husic told the convention the Federal Government is looking to boost Australian jobs in steel as part of the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.

December 2023 ecogeneration | 13

NEWS IN BRIEF

Victorian Government releases longterm strategy for State Electricity Commission The Victorian Government has released its 12-year strategy for the State Electricity Commission, confirming its commitment to supporting electrification and renewable energy workforce initiatives.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced the details of the State Electricity Commission’s ‘Strategic Plan 2023–2035’ at the Careers for Net Zero Fair, hosted by the Clean Energy Council as part of the All-Energy Australia event in Melbourne.

The strategic plan supports 4.5GW of clean energy development, funding for domestic electrification and the development of long-duration storage projects.

Under the new scheme, Victorian manufacturers, schools and hospitals will be able to buy energy directly from the State Electricity Commission, which will sell retail and wholesale electricity.

Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton said while governments can play a critical role in markets as regulators and as participants, they need to ensure they strike the right balance.

“The detail announced by the Victorian Premier is a welcome step forward and we look forward to partnering with the government on developing the remaining detail,” he said.

“The industry has capital that is ready to be deployed, and we welcome the government’s acknowledgement of the importance of partnerships and leveraging enormous private sector investment.

“We look forward to working closely to ensure the implementation of the important principle.

“We know those poised to make significant investments are very keen to learn the remaining detail from Victoria, and all Australian governments to inform their decision making.”

Thornton also said support for longduration storage projects is an area where governments can play a key role in future.

“What unites this industry is we want to see sustainable investment from governments across Australia in a way that supports our long-duration success in reaching our renewable energy targets and delivering low-cost, clean energy for homes and businesses.”

14 | ecogeneration December 2023

Skills shortage in renewables report reveals workforce targets to meet net zero.

Report reveals workforce targets to meet net zero Jobs and Skills Australia has published the findings of its inaugural workforce capacity study, which charts the path for Australia’s development of its skilled workforce to achieve the nation’s renewable energy and emissions targets.

The study, ‘The Clean Energy Generation: Workforce needs for a net-zero economy’, outlines the skills and workers required for Australia’s clean energy transformation, and highlights that to achieve 82 per cent renewable generation in the national electricity market and 43 per cent emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030, Australia needs: 32,000 additional electricians, far greater than the projected labour supply 450,000 jobs in construction of clean energy generation and transmission infrastructure, representing one-third of all jobs growth in Australia by 2030 to rapidly address an existing shortage of engineers and a dependency on skilled migration (currently, more than 50 per cent of electrical engineers in Australia were born overseas)

• • •

training and education offerings • toandreform create more inclusive pathways for

women, First Nations peoples and workers born overseas.

The Clean Energy Council endorses the findings and its director of workforce development, Dr Anita Talberg, said action to attract new talent, particularly across STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and construction is needed to fulfil existing capability gaps in Australia’s clean energy workforce.

“The next seven years will be critical in establishing or strengthening the education, training and migration systems to ensure we have the workforce to deliver the energy transition,” she said.

“We look forward to working with Jobs and Skills Australia and other Commonwealth departments and agencies to coordinate an approach towards building out the clean energy workforce during the next few decades, tailored to industry needs, particularly across the engineering and electrical fields.”

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INDUSTRY UPDATE

Clean energy is inevitable Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thorton shares how clean energy is unavoidable for Australia and for the world.

T

he time it takes to establish the green economies that will power the world in generations to come will vary, but those transitions are now inevitable. The clean energy transition is now recognised as a profound opportunity.

After Australia builds its clean energy infrastructure, sures up the grid, improves its social licence practices and puts the other elements in place to start running the country entirely on clean energy, everybody will benefit. Australia’s manufacturing economy has been in slow but steady decline since the 1960s, and clean energy represents an opportunity for economic growth and diversification, not to mention the prospect of hundreds of thousands of new jobs and lower energy prices for all Australians.

Australia has a huge opportunity in the burgeoning green exports industry, including through its abundance of minerals – such as iridium and rhodium – which will be critical to building the infrastructure needed for the transition all around the globe.

Problem and playbook It’s crucial Australia moves towards its green future quickly, which is why it is so disappointing that 2023 has seen a slowdown in large-scale clean energy investment.

16 | ecogeneration December 2023

As reported in the Clean Energy Council’s Renewable Projects Quarterly Report for Q3 2023, just two new projects – totalling 161 MW – achieved financial commitment in the third quarter. Q3 was the fourth-lowest quarter for installed capacity since we began tracking data in 2017, and all three quarters of 2023 rank in the bottom five for lowest new capacity investments since 2017.

The Australian Government, to its credit, has taken substantial steps in a short period of time to ensure we can accelerate toward a clean energy future. A number of significant commitments were made in May’s Federal Budget: for example, including $2 billion to support the green hydrogen sector in Australia and $1.7 billion in low-cost loans to homes and businesses for electrification and energy efficiency.

However, the pace of change now needs to accelerate to address these growing challenges and the slowdown in large-scale investment.

This is why the Clean Energy Council recently published the Power Playbook, which outlines the steps we believe need to be taken to position Australia’s economy to navigate the global energy transition and emerge as an economic winner from the transition to net zero.

Policy guidance In the time since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law in the US, there has been a massive and consistent stream of investment announcements in clean energy in the US, including over US$270 billion in capital investments and 185 GW of new clean energy project capacity. While the expenditure from the US Government will need to be enormous to support its commitments, Goldman Sachs estimates that the incentives will unleash US$3 trillion in clean energy/low-emissions investments across the US economy, suggesting that the large upfront cost will ultimately pay off.

Australia needs similar policy guidance to boost its investment landscape and move the projects currently in the pipeline into development. Not just to boost Australia’s race to net zero – which is of course the primary objective – but also to keep Australia competitive in the fast-growing renewables marketplace; a marketplace which is quickly becoming crowded by announcements from other countries and jurisdictions such as Canada and the EU. Nobody expects Australia to be able to match the levels of expenditure we have seen and will continue to see in the US, but a proportionate response to the IRA and other www.ecogeneration.com.au

INDUSTRY UPDATE

global movements is required to keep Australia competitive and to keep alive our chances of meeting the Federal Government’s renewable energy targets.

Energy for everybody The recommendations in the Power Playbook range from high-level policy suggestions, such as the creation of a nationwide Renewable Energy Superpower Masterplan, to accelerating deployment of energy storage and capacity generation, developing offshore wind and green hydrogen industries, and building best practices around social licence.

If you are interested in reading our recommendations in full, check out our website to view the Power Playbook.

While Australia ultimately and disappointingly voted ‘no’ to the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, the clean energy transition presents an enormous opportunity to build stronger participation and genuine partnership with the Traditional Owners of the lands on which many renewable projects will be built. It’s a huge opportunity to create jobs on Country, provide low-cost power to

remote communities and economic opportunity where there is little. It’s a profound opportunity for Indigenous Australians to be heard and play an active role in what will be a defining economic shift for the country.

Continuing focus on advocacy The clean energy industry in Australia needs advocacy for strong policy support more than ever, which is why the Clean Energy Council made the difficult decision to step back from our role in accrediting solar installers to focus our time and energy on supporting the industry through education and advocacy. The new accrediting body for installers is expected to be announced by the Clean Energy Regulator in February 2024.

This allows CEC to double down our effort to promote rooftop-solar and household batteries through the development of a

Distributed Energy Roadmap, arriving early 2024. It will highlight the importance of the small-scale sector to the Australian economy and the contribution to the energy transition, as well as identify the most critical policy initiatives necessary to accelerate electrification in Australia. We plan to release the roadmap in Solar Month in March, our annual campaign to promote the rooftop solar and storage industry, which is doing so much for Australia’s transition while we work to get large-scale investment back on track.

Australia is blessed with remarkable natural, renewable resources, meaning the foundation for a strong transition is already here. Indeed, it is already underway, as evident with our world-leading rooftop solar sector.

We need all Australians to get behind that transition and build upon it for a better future for all of us.

Kane Thornton has more than a decade of experience in energy policy and leadership in the development of the renewable energy industry. His column is a regular feature in EcoGeneration, where he analyses industry trends and explains the impacts of federal and state renewable policies on the energy sector.

Off-grid Battery and Equipment Enclosures Features include: • 19” Rack mounts with slide-in shelves for battery module mounting, ranging from 5-12 modules • Universal racking system for multiple battery brands such as BYD Flex 5.0, Pylontech US3000C and US5000B • Indoor or outdoor installation thanks to IP protection rating and new additional rain hood

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December 2023 ecogeneration | 17

ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA

All-Energy Australia 2023.

Record attendance at All-Energy Australia Australia’s largest clean energy event provided a window into the nation’s renewables future during two days in Melbourne in October.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller.

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he renewables industry converged on Melbourne in October 2023 for AllEnergy Australia. Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the nation’s largest clean energy event delivered two days of ideas, innovation and optimism for the future of green power in Australia.

This year’s edition of the expo and conference attracted a record of more than 11,500 visitors across two days, which highlights the clean energy industry’s enthusiasm and commitment to advancing the future of renewables and achieving netzero emissions by 2050.

All-Energy Australia was a powerhouse of ideas and insights, showcasing the latest advancements in the clean energy sector and providing a platform for industry leaders, professionals and enthusiasts to converge, explore, learn and collaborate.

“The two days were incredible with exhibition halls busy and conference sessions at standing room only,” Robby Clark, portfolio director at event organiser RX Global, said.

“We were already aware that registrations had surpassed all previous records ahead of

the show, but discovering the total attendance was a thrilling moment.

“With our exhibitor numbers up 21 per cent and the conference growing substantially with daily plenaries and nine separate streams, the overwhelming response from attendees underscores the industry’s thirst for knowledge, collaboration and innovation.

“All-Energy Australia 2023 has not only exceeded our expectations, but has set a new standard for excellence in the clean energy events landscape.

The Clean Energy Council is a partner of the event, and the organisation’s chief executive Kane Thornton is encouraged by its year-on-year growth.

“This has been a massive step up from last year to this year and we think it’s going to keep growing,” he said. “It’s the biggest exhibition for the entire clean energy industry with more than 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest products alongside a fantastic speaker program. We had some extraordinary keynote speakers and some highly technical sessions during the two days.

“One of my highlights was the extraordinary technologies on display in the exhibition hall, with exciting new www.ecogeneration.com.au

ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA

The Hon Lily DAmbrosio MP.

Ambassador for Climate Change and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade Kristin Tilley.

technologies that make it easier to install and electrify people’s homes. That gives a lot of benefit to householders who are trying to do the right thing, go solar, electrify their home, lower their power bills and make a contribution to saving the planet.”

All-Energy Australia featured more than 400 expert speakers, covering a range of themes including decarbonisation, solar, energy storage, electric vehicles, hydrogen, grid integration, and energy security and reliability. The insightful sessions delved into the latest developments, trends and projections in the national and international energy sector.

Darren Miller, CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, gave a keynote address on the opening day, stating that progress in the industrial sector is critical to

All-Energy Australia featured more than 400 expert speakers.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

reducing carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.

The event also featured the Energy Management Zone that shone a spotlight on sustainable solutions driving improved energy management, plus the revamped Clean Energy Council Solar Masterclass that delivered expert advice and professional growth opportunities for solar installers and designers.

Being co-located with Waste Expo Australia under the one roof created a comprehensive showcase of clean energy and sustainability, offering attendees a multifaceted perspective on the path to a greener future.

All-Energy Australia has fostered knowledge and innovation, and ignited a collective commitment to shaping a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape. The 2024

edition will return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 23–24 October, 2024.

Climate and clean energy Australia’s next big employer Clean energy and climate changerelated industries will be Australia’s next big employer, according to Atlassian and Boundless Earth co-chief executive Mike Cannon-Brookes.

“I’m here to talk to you about climate jobs because I believe climate jobs are Australia’s next big employer,” he said in a keynote speech at the Careers for Net Zero Fair in Melbourne on 26 October, 2023, an event that ran in conjunction with All-Energy Australia.

Careers for Net Zero is a joint campaign from the Clean Energy Council and Energy Efficiency Council to address the skills shortage jeopardising Australia’s legislated 82 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.

Both organisations believe 200,000 new jobs in renewables are necessary to meet the 2030 target. They say two million positions need to be created to achieve net zero by 2030.

“The green economy is Australia’s golden ticket,” Cannon-Brookes said.

“But the biggest risk is not having enough people in the right places to execute it.

“This is why today’s careers fair is such an important moment.

“It’s going to be a whole-of-economy effort to keep up with what will be the biggest shift in Australia since someone put rocks on a boat and shipped them overseas to be burnt.”

December 2023 ecogeneration | 19

SOLAR REPAIRS

A new document is helping installers understand their obligations when repairing or making alterations to solar or battery systems.

Best practice for PV panel care A new reference document is helping installers understand their obligations when repairing or making alterations to solar or battery systems, writes former Clean Energy Council technical program specialist Billie Smith.

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he solar industry continues its progress towards national renewable energy targets. Since 2008, more than 22GW of rooftop solar has been installed on residential homes across Australia. It is a huge achievement and everyone who works in renewables can take pride in being part of it.

Australia’s enthusiastic uptake of solar and batteries has been driven by a desire to take control of energy usage, protect the environment, manage consumption and rein in energy costs.

Industry demand has given us the luxury

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of options to increase renewable energy sources within our homes, with many solar and battery systems available, including string systems, optimised systems, microinverters, hybrid inverters, AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) coupled battery systems, and hot water diverters.

However, we can’t ignore the realities of this progress and the sheer size of the collective infrastructure involved.

With 3.4 million systems out there producing clean energy, care and attention is needed to ensure their continued benefit.

There are many factors determining whether a solar system requires repairs or alterations. This includes: • damage from storms or other external events • failing inverters and PV modules that need replacing • evolving technologies influencing change to Australian Standards • solar users seeking to increase system size or add batteries.

Ongoing and preventative maintenance is critical for the longevity and correct operation of any complex solar system. www.ecogeneration.com.au

SOLAR REPAIRS

Inevitably, there comes a time when prevtative maintenance is not enough, and the system requires repairs or alterations.

The challenges presented by these considerations form the fundamental principles behind the Clean Energy Council’s new ‘Advice on Repairs and

Alterations’ document. The Clean Energy Council has prepared the document’s advice – in consultation with Australian state and territory electrical regulators – to assist industry understand its obligations when working on a repair or alteration to an existing PV or battery system.

All electrical installations are required to comply with AS/NZS 3000:2018 from which the following definitions are taken: • Clause 1.4.8 – Alteration: A modification to part(s) of an electrical installation • Clause 1.4.101 – Repair: Work to restore the electrical installation to safe and sound working condition after deterioration or damage has occurred The advice takes the following standards into consideration: • AS/NZS 3000:2018 • AS/NZS 5033:2021 • AS/NZS 4777:1:2016 • AS/NZS 4777:2:2020 • AS/NZS 5139:2019 The Clean Energy Council’s aim in producing ‘Advice on Repairs and Alterations’ is to assist the industry in maintaining existing infrastructure to ensure maximum benefit, and encouraging renewable and sustainable practices, while making it possible to meet the obligations of complying with relevant AS/NZS standards, manufacturers’ specifications, and distributed network service provider (DNSP) and regulator requirements.

The document does not provide an exhaustive list. However, it goes into depth on some of the most common questions received by the Clean Energy Council, breaking down industry scenarios including damaged components that need replacing; modifying or

moving a system; increasing rooftop solar capacity; and the addition of a battery system.

As a sustainable industry, there must be focus on not simply condemning a system but requiring it to be removed and sent off to be recycled to eliminate needless e-waste, which goes against the fundamental renewable and sustainable principles we are working to achieve.

‘Advice on Alterations and Repairs’ drills down on relevant standards and regulations to ensure that, where possible, existing systems can be restored to safe and operable condition after damage or degradation has occurred.

Correctly designed and installed solar can have an expected life of 25 years. It is inevitable some components may fail during this time, but it is fair and reasonable to look for ways that will allow the system to operate for as long as possible.

We are all part of the solution. It is important to find ways the industry can meet the needs of consumer demand by safely and sustainably maintaining existing systems, and by altering systems on homes of people who want to expand their renewable energy journey.

The ‘Advice on Alterations and Repairs’ document is one small step to helping the industry work together to move in the right direction to enable a renewable and sustainable nation.

Clean Energy Council myCEC subscribers – including all accredited installers and designers – can access the ‘Advice on Alterations and Repairs’ document by logging on to their account at cleanenergycouncil.org.au/account

The Clean Energy Council’s aim in producing “Advice on Repairs and Alterations” is to assist the industry in maintaining existing infrastructure.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

December 2023 ecogeneration | 21

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

Monitoring the impact of EV charging on the grid Dynamic Ratings recently partnered with an Australian distribution utility in a trial project to understand the technical and network impacts of electric vehicle charging.

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overnments around the world have introduced myriad incentives to support carbon-reduction goals, including inducements to increase the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). As a result, EV numbers are increasing and prices for zeroemissions vehicles are coming down, which is having an impact on power grids.

Put simply, more EVs on the road places much greater demand on charging infrastructure. This means distribution utilities are exploring options to manage electrification of the transport sector.

Level 2 chargers – between 240V and 415V, with an amp level of 16A to 32A – are inexpensive and, in some cases, offered free with vehicles.

These chargers offer between 7.7kW (single-phase) and 22kW (three-phase), which are large loads to be connected to a local street transformer. In Australia, a single three-phase pole-top transformer supplies low-voltage power to an entire street.

Energy networks are designed to protect against overloading. If there is too much load on a low-voltage street circuit, the network protects itself from damage by blowing a fuse at the nearby distribution substation (DSS) transformer. Unfortunately, this protection mode impacts more than just the electricity users who are contributing to the problem.

Everybody connected to the transformer is affected by an outage and they rely on maintenance crews attending the site to restart the power. Other issues such as a voltage drop along a low-voltage feeder may not receive the same visibility due to a lack of monitoring, yet it may have negative impacts on users at the ends of a circuit where the voltage may be being pulled lower than regulatory limits.

More EVs means distribution utilities are exploring options to manage electrification of the transport sector.

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Real-time EV charger control Network solutions such as transformer upgrades are an obvious choice; however, these are costly undertakings.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) recently funded a project with a www.ecogeneration.com.au

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

The trial goal of end-of-circuit voltage capacity was to prevent voltage from going below regulatory limits under high loading.

group of distribution network operators (DNOs) and industry partners to trial realtime EV charger control utilising operating envelopes – the distributed energy resources (DER) or connection point behaviours that can be accommodated before physical or operational limits of a distribution network are breached – as determined by network constraints.

Melbourne-based Dynamic Ratings, which provides condition-monitoring products and services to the renewables industry, worked to supply low-voltage monitoring devices and the platform to calculate the operating envelopes and send them to the EV charger service provider.

The utility developed an operating envelope algorithm that calculates available network capacity for EV chargers. When capacity becomes constrained, a reduced operating envelope is sent to the chargers to reduce their charge rate and ease impact on the network.

The system determined network capacity based on three major constraints: distribution substation capacity, individual low-voltage circuit capacity, and end-of-circuit voltage.

Distribution substation capacity: DSS, or transformer capacity, is based on transformer loading compared to nameplate capacity. In the trial, low-voltage monitors were supplied

by Dynamic Ratings and installed at the DSS on the low-voltage side of the transformer.

The monitors supplied data to a software platform, including load currents, voltages and power-quality information.

Low-voltage circuit capacity: LV circuit capacity was based on known circuit/load splits, transformer loading and the known circuit/conductor rating. www.ecogeneration.com.au

End-of-circuit voltage: End-of-circuit voltage constraints were determined from measured advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) voltage data or calculated from circuit voltage drop. The measured voltages were extracted from the utility metering system and inserted into the Dynamic Ratings platform in near-real-time using a secure application programming interface (API) connection.

The goal of end-of-circuit voltage capacity in the trial was to prevent the voltage from going below regulatory limits under high loading. It involved a calculation to determine the margin of voltage available (from current voltage to the low-voltage setpoint), which was then used to calculate the extra allowable load on the circuit. Therefore, even if the circuit had spare current-carrying capacity, it may be invalidated if the voltage drop at the end of the circuit did not allow it.

System architecture The utility in the trial chose Dynamic Ratings’ ConnectGrid software platform to implement and host the operating envelope algorithm. The system provides data collection and device management services for the connected low-voltage monitor installed at DSS sites and provides API endpoints for secure injection of AMI data from smart meters.

The system also communicates with the EV charger service provider – via an API interface based on the international IEEE2030.5 standard – to retrieve charger status and measurement data, send operating envelopes, and pull meteorological data to use for historical load current look-ups.

Trial result The low-voltage monitors were installed quickly, safely and successfully using tools that were familiar to overhead line workers.

Data API integration between the secure AMI metering data environment and the EV charger service provider was completed and tested to ensure data flows were adequate to meet system demands. The OE was implemented on the ConnectGrid automation platform and run in test mode to ensure the system performed as expected for certain test cases.

With the system now up and running, the utility has undertaken trial usage of it to test various scenarios. This has proven the technical capability of the OE system – including all data sources and interconnections – is working effectively.

This project has shown the technical aspects of using a range of data sources, including customer meters, low-voltage network monitors, historical planning datasets and meteorological forecasts, that are brought together and used in a near-realtime system can be successfully achieved.

In a relatively short time, new monitoring equipment was installed in the network, data connectivity was built between multiple organisations and a complex algorithm was implemented to operate reliably and effectively, paving the path for real-time control of the lowvoltage network, intelligent demand response and management of distributed energy resources.

For more information, visit dynamicratings.com December 2023 ecogeneration | 23

AUSTRALIAN ENERGY MARKET OPERATOR

Dialling up clean energy investment The Australian Energy Market Operator and Clean Energy Council believe it’s time to “remove the handbrake” on renewables projects.

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he Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has called for the acceleration of clean energy investment due to growing concerns about reduced reliability and availability of coal-fired generation.

The Clean Energy Council said the AEMO’s ‘Energy Statement of Opportunities’ report is a reminder of the importance of new investment to ensure energy security and affordability, and to meet Australia’s target of 82 per cent renewables by 2030.

The recent AEMO report follows the Clean Energy Council’s ‘Renewable Projects Quarterly Report’ for Q2 shows that while energy storage projects are on track, renewable generation build has fallen behind.

According to the report, Australia has enormous potential and a pipeline of projects but a lack of strategic planning and reform in prior decade means investors now face a range of barriers to new investment.

“The time for complacency is over,” Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton said.

“It’s time to remove the handbrake and get on with building what is required.

“The renewable energy industry has beaten targets many said could never be achieved. We stand ready to build what is needed.

“However, industry leaders have let us know they face serious challenges and have been clear on the help they require to get on with the job.

“More than anything, those willing to make the necessary investments require and deserve certainty.”

Research for the Clean Energy Council’s ‘Energy Outlook Confidence Index’ identified 10 challenges: • Concerns and challenges related to grid connection process and technical requirements • Concern about the role of state governments owning generation and crowding out or undermining private investment • Under-investment in network capacity to address congestion and constraints • Lack of clear national market incentives, such as an extended renewable energy target, to underpin new renewable energy investments

• Future market design uncertainty • Concerns around marginal loss factors • Lower energy demand affecting wholesale energy market • Lack of certainty about timing of exit of coal-fired power generation • Challenges in obtaining planning approval for projects • Attracting and retaining a skilled trades workforce “If we overcome these challenges, we are confident of delivering a reliable and low-cost energy system, achieving 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030, delivering our long-term emissions targets and setting up Australia to become a clean energy superpower,” Thornton said.

“There is an enormous pipeline of renewable energy projects in Australia, but investors are swamped with global opportunities at a time when barriers make Australian projects less attractive.”

Addressing these barriers requires leadership and collaboration across governments, industry, market bodies and regulators.

Reports have found that while Australian energy storage projects are on track, renewable generation build has fallen behind.

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www.ecogeneration.com.au

CLEAN ENERGY FUNDING Experts believe Australia must act “ambitiously” to realise the benefits of its clean energy potential.

Collective plea for renewables funding Several Australian organisations have bandied together to lobby the Federal Government to commit to $100 billion investment in clean energy.

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number of diverse organisations have joined forces to call on the Federal Government to commit to a 10-year $100 billion Australian Renewables Industry Package to secure Australia’s energy and economic future.

Coming together at the Australian Renewables Industry Summit in Canberra in September 2023, the collective of organisations spans clean energy, climate change, business, investment, community and unions. It believes Australia risks being left behind in the global renewables race unless the government urgently commits to the package, particularly in light of the US Government’s US$1 trillion Inflation Reduction Act. The call for an Australian Renewables Industry Package is endorsed by groups including the Clean Energy Council, Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Climate Action Network Australia, Climate Energy Finance, First Nations Clean Energy Network, New Energy Nexus, Rewiring Australia and the Smart Energy Council.

“Australia is well placed to seize opportunities in clean energy and manufacturing,” Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive officer Kelly O’Shanassy said. “We are in a climate crisis and as the largest exporter of coal and LNG www.ecogeneration.com.au

[liquefied natural gas] in the world, Australia has a unique opportunity to take a leading role in decarbonising critical industries such as iron and steel.

“The Australian Renewable Industry Package is needed to reduce industrial emissions and retain a safe climate.”

The group feels Australia must act ambitiously in order to realise the employment, export, economic, emissionsreduction, environmental and social benefits to the nation.

“Australia is standing at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history,” Smart Energy Council chief executive John Grimes said.

“Our world-leading resources and renewable energy potential provide the opportunity for Australia to become a driving force in the global green economy while driving down emissions in line with the science to maintain a safe climate.

“But without significantly greater investment, we won’t be able to build industries of the future, reduce emissions, create jobs or strengthen national prosperity and social equity.”

The US Government’s Inflation Reduction Act is funding industrial support packages to build new clean industries, attract investment and create thousands of jobs.

Climate Energy Finance founder Tim Buckley believes Australia needs to follow suit.

“We need a far more integrated and bigpicture approach to encourage greater investment, commensurate with the scale of this massive renewables and critical minerals/ metals embodied decarbonisation export opportunity for Australia,” he said.

“A $100 billion package will help reindustrialise the nation, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, diversify our export base and revenue streams, increase local valueadded production, secure supply chains, and develop sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

“In the 21st century, climate policy, economic policy and national security policy are fundamentally linked.”

The US isn’t the only nation pledging huge funding to renewables, with Canada, the European Union, India, Korea and Japan also committing hundreds of billions towards clean industrial support packages.

“Australia needs to take big action now to fulfill our enormous clean energy potential,” Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil said.

“Both the urgency of the climate crisis and the enormity of the clean energy opportunity for workers, their families and communities calls for a bold, ambitious, fair and timely response from government.”

December 2023 ecogeneration | 25

ENERGY STORAGE

New initiative supporting energy storage Australia’s biggest energy storage tender has opened in South Australia and Victoria.

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he Federal Government has opened registration for the South Australian and Victorian Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), Australia’s biggest energy storage tender that aims to deliver affordable and reliable energy to those states.

The program will store renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, and is set to deliver 600MW of back-up clean energy that can be used when needed to keep the electricity grid stable and ensure Victoria and South Australia have a plentiful supply of inexpensive, dispatchable power during peak periods.

Australia’s first CIS is already underway in New South Wales, and now projects in South Australia and Victoria can register with Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Services to be part of the new program.

Once tenders are open, projects can submit a bid with AEMO Services, with leading candidates being invited to submit a full application.

Successful projects will receive a Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) agreement lasting up to 15 years.

“This CIS announcement is about increasing investment in stored renewables that can be quickly dispatched to improve security and reliability of the South Australian and Victorian grid,” Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said at the CIS launch in Victoria in October.

“The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow, but we can store energy from the sun and wind for use when we need it. That’s what this CIS tender is about.

“This tender will ensure we can increase supply, reduce the risk of shortfalls and keep downward pressure on power prices in South Australia and Victoria.”

The CIS program is open for large projects that can store energy for a minimum of two hours and are at least 30MW in size. It will also be open to a variety of energy storage types such as batteries and hydrogen.

“Victoria is already the home of big batteries, and this auction will give projects extra support to get projects online quicker, helping us achieve our ambitious energy storage targets of at least 2.6GW by 2030 and 6.3GW by 2035,” Victorian Minister for Climate Action Lily d’Ambrosio said at the launch in October.

“Energy storage is critical to reaching Victoria’s renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035 and delivering cheaper, more reliable energy to homes and businesses across our state.”

South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis said his state is also happy at the commencement of the CIS program.

“South Australia welcomes the Commonwealth’s support to increase dispatchable supply, particularly recognition of hydrogen alongside batteries, thermal storage and pumped hydro,” he said.

“This additional capacity will help fill in the gaps and firm supply as we power ahead to net 100 per cent renewables.”

The program will store renewable energy and ensure Victoria and SA have a plentiful supply of power during peak periods.

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www.ecogeneration.com.au

HYDRO ENERGY

Small-scale hydro energy from farm dams New research is exploring the potential for agricultural water reservoirs to be utilised as hydro energy storage sites.

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ew research from the University of NSW (UNSW) outlines how agricultural water reservoirs could be converted to small-scale hydro energy storage sites to support the uptake of renewable power systems in Australian rural communities.

The study suggests agricultural reservoirs, such as those used for solar-power irrigation, could be connected to form micro-pumped hydro energy storage systems – householdsize versions of the Snowy Hydro hydroelectric dam project.

The UNSW study is the first in the world to explore the potential of these small-scale systems as an innovative renewable energy storage solution.

“The transition to low-carbon power systems such as wind and solar photovoltaics needs cost-effective energy storage solutions at all scales,” Dr Nicholas Gilmore, lead author of the study and lecturer at the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UNSW said.

“We thought, if you’re geographically fortunate to have two significant water volumes separated with sufficient elevation, you might have the potential for a hydro energy storage system.”

In a micro-pumped hydro energy storage system, excess solar energy from high production periods is stored by pumping water to a high-lying reservoir,. It released back to a low-lying reservoir when more power is needed, flowing through a turbineconnected generator to create electricity.

For the study, the UNSW team joined forces with researchers from Deakin University in Melbourne and the University of Technology Sydney. They used satellite imagery to create agricultural reservoir pairings across Australia from a 2021 dataset of farm dams, as well as graph-theory algorithms to filter commercially promising sites based on minimum capacity and slope.

“If you have a lot of dams in close proximity, it’s not viable to link them up in every combination,” Dr Thomas Britz, co-author of www.ecogeneration.com.au

Researchers identified more than 30,000 sites as promising for micro-pumped hydro energy storage.

the study and senior lecturer at UNSW Science’s School of Mathematics and Statistics, said.

“We use these graph-theory algorithms to connect the best dam configurations with a reasonable energy capacity.”

Looking at nearly 1.7 million Australian farm dams, researchers identified more than 30,000 sites as promising for micro-pumped hydro energy storage. It is estimated the average site could provide up to 2kW of power and 30kWh of usable energy – enough to back up a South Australian home for 40 hours.

“We identified tens of thousands of these potential sites where micro-pumped hydro energy storage systems could be installed without undertaking costly reservoir construction,” Gilmore said.

“That’s thousands of households that could potentially increase their solar usage, saving money on their energy bills and reducing their carbon footprint.

“While the initial outlay for a micropumped hydro energy storage system is higher than a battery, the advantages are larger storage capacity and potential durability for decades.

“That cost is significantly reduced anyway by capitalising on existing reservoirs, which also has the benefit of less environmental impact.”

The use of micro-pumped hydro energy power systems with existing farm dams could provide rural areas that are susceptible to power outages with a reliable, and clean, back-up electricity source.

“People on the fringes of the electricity network can be more exposed to power outages and supply can be less reliable,” Gilmore said.

“If there’s a power outage during a bushfire, a pumped-hydro system will provide enough energy to last a day, whereas a battery typically lasts around eight hours.

“Our findings are encouraging for further development of this emerging technology, and there is plenty of scope for future technological improvements that will make these systems increasingly cheaper over time.

“The next step will be setting up a pilot site, testing the performance of a system in action and modelling it in detail to get realworld validation. We have 30,000 potential candidates.”

December 2023 ecogeneration | 27

ENERGY CRISIS

Australia’s path out of the energy crisis Society is feeling the squeeze from the current global energy crisis and urgent action is needed if the world is to emerge with its net-zero ambitions intact, writes Sarah FitzGerald, global program lead, future energy, at professional services company GHD.

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n unprecedented convergence of global shocks in recent times has created the worst crisis the energy sector has experienced. Unlike the oil crisis of the 1970s, which was triggered by wars and revolution in the Middle East, or the 1990 oil crisis that resulted from Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the current energy crisis is global, multi-fuelled and has many dimensions that are reverberating across society.

According to a recent study, ‘SHOCKED’, by professional services company GHD, 94 per cent of global energy leaders believe the crisis is more severe than any other in the sector’s history.

Furthermore, a capital crunch has depleted investment levels, with the energy sector’s chief financial officers reporting that investment fell by around US$203 billion from 2020 to 2022.

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The 450 senior decision-makers and thought-leaders across 10 global markets that GHD interviewed said now is the time to make bold moves. Forty per cent of those said the current energy crisis has accelerated their net-zero plans by an average of five years, while 47 per cent said it has decelerated those plans by as much as six years.

Australian energy leaders bucked this trend, with 68 per cent saying their organisations increased investment in their renewable energy mix during the past 12 months. Only 12 per cent put the brakes on this investment.

There is a clear commitment within the Australian energy sector to continue down the path to net-zero emissions by 2050. Australian governments and businesses are fully aligned behind the target of reducing emissions by at least 43 per cent by 2030 and reaching netzero by 2050.

However, achieving this target is easier said than done, and there is now a growing understanding of the complexity, scale and cost of investment required.

At the forefront is the need for project approvals processes that are fit for purpose. The leaders surveyed for ‘SHOCKED’ said this is one of the most significant barriers to getting new projects started.

The GHD report identifies a “trilemma” of shocks – security, societal, climate – affecting Australia and the rest of the world.

It highlights five priorities that will help build resilient energy systems, de-risk the nation’s international renewable energy opportunities, and enable Australia to build its reputation and capacity as a renewable energy superpower.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

ENERGY CRISIS

Security shock: Security shock has been triggered by extreme market volatility and geopolitical tensions. On average, global leaders told GHD their business could meet normal energy supply demands for only 70 days if energy imports were cut.

More concerningly, 10 per cent indicated they had less than 20 days’ storage. In Australia, 82 per cent of leaders say energy supply is top concern for their organisation.

Societal shock: In the survey, 76 per cent of energy sector leaders said they believe standards of living are falling because of the energy crisis, and 78 per cent believe rising energy prices are having the biggest impact on the poorest parts of society.

Globally, 70 per cent of leaders pinpoint community opposition as one of the largest obstacles to new clean energy project approvals needed to emerge from the energy crisis. In Australia, that figure is 65 per cent,

www.ecogeneration.com.au

which could derail the nation’s net-zero plans.

Climate shock: The energy sector is dealing with unprecedented pressure from consumers demanding reliable and affordable low-carbon energy. The pressures to reduce emissions are no longer the domain of government regulators and financial investors – consumers are advocates and activists in this arena.

In Australia, 75 per cent of energy sector leaders are feeling more pressure than ever from customers.

‘SHOCKED’ identifies five key priorities to help de-risk the energy transition: • De-risking and unlocking capital flows in energy projects • Supercharging engineered solutions and well-thought-out design principles • Carefully balancing supply chains, workforce and raw materials • Securing community understanding and social acceptance of new energy projects

GHD global program lead global program lead, future energy, Sarah FitzGerald.

• A fair, balanced and just transition where no-one is left behind While recent shocks to the energy system are unprecedented, the sector has the motivation, urgency and technical know-how to de-risk the transition. The barriers facing the industry are significant, but the sense of urgency and motivation to achieve net-zero by 2050 is greater. We have the capability, the will and the means to succeed.

December 2023 ecogeneration | 29

OFF-GRID FACTORY

Food processing plant goes green A remote asparagus processing plant in western Germany has found a solution to its expensive operating costs through the installation of an ATESS solar and storage system.

Spargelhof Willensen is located in a remote location that has limited service from the grid.

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n the outskirts of a small town in western Germany, on the border with the Netherlands, an asparagus processing plant has ditched its dependency on diesel and is drawing on clean energy to power its operations.

The factory, Spargelhof Willensen, is a fourth-generation family business that specialises in the harvesting and packaging of white and green asparagus. It is in a remote location that has limited service from the grid.

In 2020 and 2021, the farm expanded its asparagus cultivation area from 10 hectares to more than 100, and constructed new production halls that see it handle 750,000kg of white asparagus and 150,000kg of green asparagus annually.

The business historically had to rely on expensive diesel generators that were inadequate to deliver on the energy needs of the plant, which includes the production facility and sale and administration offices.

Site owner Alexander Willemsen turned to solar energy company Shenzhen ATESS Power Technology Co (ATESS) to elevate the factory’s production through efficient and clean power.

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The solution was to install a 450kW (464kWh) containerised energy storage system equipped with three parallel ATESS 150kW HPS all-in-one hybrid inverters and ATS (automatic transfer switch).

The result is the factory gaining 90 per cent energy independence with seven hours of back-up power.

“We have now had this system for a year and are very happy with it because we can generate almost all of the energy we need by solar,” Willemsen said. “We are also doing good for the environment while saving on the cost of energy that normally would be taken from the grid.”

Since the installation of the solar system, the processing equipment and cold-chain facilities at the asparagus plant can operate without interruption. In addition, all electrical appliances and lighting in the office area, as well as 80 sleeping units in the employee dormitory space, are powered by the ATESS energy storage system.

“The [asparagus-growing] season is from April to June, which is when we require the most electricity, so we decided to install a big solar system,” Willemsen said. “We run 896 of the 500kWp solar panels, plus a big storage system from ATESS, which serves us day and night.

“Everything is working really well and we only have to make a few small adjustments to settings to get it operating perfectly.

We couldn’t be happier.”

For more information, visit au.atesspower.com

The solar system saw the factory gain 90 per cent energy independence with seven hours of back-up power.

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WIND ENERGY

Managing financial risk of wind energy A recent study is giving wind energy investors new tools to deal with unpredictable weather.

N

ew research is providing a boost for wind energy investors through new methods to measure and manage the unpredictability of wind conditions.

The combined study, ‘An assessment of model risk in pricing wind derivatives’ from the University of Melbourne and University of Waterloo in Canada, has been published in the Annals of Actuarial Science through Cambridge University Press.

The study focuses on wind derivatives to manage risks from variable conditions at turbine sites.

“Wind power is a vital component of the global transition to clean and renewable energy sources, but harnessing the power of wind is challenging, mainly due to the unpredictable nature of wind conditions,” research paper authors Giovani Gracianti said.

“These challenges lead to uncertainty in revenue generation for energy producers, making wind power investments less attractive to potential investors.

The new study focuses on wind derivatives to manage risks from variable conditions at turbine sites.

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“Ultimately, this is slowing down the world’s transition to renewable energy.”

In the financial sector, derivatives are used to mitigate losses when adverse conditions make it difficult to predict the performance of future investments. Similarly, wind derivatives are tools used to manage financial risks associated with variability of wind speed.

They offer a financial safety net to energy producers, ensuring they receive compensation when low wind power production reduces revenue.

“This financial protection stabilises operations and revenues for energy producers, making renewable energy projects more enticing to investors and helping the global shift towards cleaner energy sources,” research paper author Dr Rui Zhou said.

“Our latest research details ways to refine calculations and models that determine derivative pricing, recognising the imperfections in current methodologies.”

The researchers have discovered four ways in which innovations in wind derivative modelling can be improved.

• Generalised Hyperbolic Distribution (GHYP): The researchers propose the use of GHYP distribution to model wind speed data. This distribution can capture the leptokurtosis (characterised by heavier tails) observed in wind speed data. This is the first application of the GHYP distribution in

wind speed modelling and allows accurate representation of wind behaviour.

• Risk-neutral pricing: The study develops risk-neutral pricing methods suitable for the GHYP-based wind speed model, as well as models proposed in previous research.

These pricing approaches leverage the “conditional Esscher transform”, a tool developed and utilised in the actuarial and financial mathematics fields to calculate wind derivative prices accurately.

• Impact analysis: The research prices wind derivatives with different models and analyses the resulting price differences to assess the extent of “model risk”. This data reveals the importance of using accurate wind speed models for pricing wind derivatives effectively.

• Leveraging actuarial expertise: The study highlights the valuable contribution of actuarial expertise in addressing financial uncertainties associated with renewable energy and climate change mitigation.

Actuaries, known for their expertise in creating models for complex financial and environmental data, have a critical role to play in the evolving landscape of renewable energy and climate risk management.

“By applying knowledge to develop innovative pricing methodologies for wind derivatives, actuaries can account for the characteristics of wind speed data and other factors influencing wind power production,” Zhou said.

“There is a growing urgency for actuarial expertise in tackling climate-related challenges and it inspires further research in this field.”

December 2023 ecogeneration | 31

SOLAR INSTALLER | SOLAR & STORAGE LIVE

Brisbane to host global clean energy event Queensland will host the inaugural Australian edition of renewable energy event Solar & Storage Live in May 2024.

The event is supported by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Energy Skills Queensland.

T

he world’s largest series of solar energy trade shows is coming to Australia with the inaugural Solar & Storage Live clean energy event being held in Brisbane on May 1–2 2024.

The show is already established in the UK, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Switzerland and the US. It focuses exclusively on solar, battery storage and electronic vehicle (EV) charging, and covers the residential, commercial, industrial and utility-scale sectors.

Coming to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event is supported by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Energy Skills Queensland.

Free entry includes access to the exhibition floor and multi-tracked conference, as well as the Investors’ Lounge and Developers’ Lounge for networking, the educational Installers’ University, roundtable discussions, social events, and a networking app.

Solar & Storage Live will feature more than 150 keynote speakers, including: • Kane Thornton, chief executive, Clean Energy Council.

32 | ecogeneration December 2023

• Warwick Johnston, managing director, SunWiz; board member, Clean Energy Council.

• David Shankey, deputy director-general, energy, Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works.

• Kimberly Camrass, director, Climate Positive Brisbane 2032 and Climate Futures, Department of Environment and Science.

• Jenny Riesz, principal, Australian Energy Market Operator.

• Niall Brady, head, solar and battery storage, Clean Energy Finance Corporation • Stan Krpan, chief executive officer, Solar Victoria.

• Glenn Dahlenburg, general manager, energy storage, Energy Queensland.

• Todd Hacking, chief executive officer, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia.

• Richard Corkish, chief operating officer, Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, University of NSW. • Ross De Rango, head of energy and infrastructure, Electric Vehicle Council.

• Megan Jones, co-founder, Circular PV Alliance.

• David Ritter, chief executive officer, Greenpeace.

Event organisers have identified an opportunity to establish a renewable energy event in Brisbane, especially with commercial and industrial solar predicted to grow at a faster rate in Queensland than in any other Australian state during the next 10 years.

The sunshine state already has the highest number of residential rooftop solar installations in Australia. The nation’s top three local government areas for volume of residential rooftop solar are also in Queensland: Bundaberg Regional Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council, and Toowoomba Regional Council.

Brisbane is also hosting the 2032 Olympic Games and the Queensland Government is investing in new development, infrastructure and utilities ahead of the global event. The state aims to deliver the first climate-positive Olympics.

The Queensland Government is also investing $19 billion as part of its charter to have a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

It has targets of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032, and 80 per cent by 2035.

For more information, visit terrapinn.com/ exhibition/solar-storage-live-aus www.ecogeneration.com.au

THE

SOLAR INSTALLER

December 2023

Installer profile: Darryl Bower P50

AUSTRALIAN BATTERY GUIDE 2023 P36 LOCAL SOLAR INVENTERS HONOURED P48 DRONE TESTING SOLAR PANELS P58

SOLAR INSTALLER | NEWS

Pilot program helping homes switch to electric

Bank Australia is helping Australian households.

A pilot program from Bank Australia is helping Australian households make the switch from gas to electric as the nation strives to achieve its net-zero target by 2050.

The Electrify Your Home program is assisting the bank’s eligible home loan customers to move away from dependence on gas, with the initiative helping overcome the cost barrier associated with making the transition.

“More than 90 per cent of Bank Australia’s emissions come from the homes we finance so we know electrifying homes needs to play a big role [in emissions reduction],” Bank Australia managing director Damien Walsh said.

“Our customers want to see us lead on climate action and we’ve already had experience implementing our Clean Energy Home Loan products.

“From this pilot we hope to learn what the challenges are for our customers in getting a home off gas and show the role banks can play in electrifying homes at scale.”

The costs and complexities of going fully electric can be a barrier for some households, but this pilot will support

customers through each step of the process.

Electrify Your Home will begin in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, where one-third of Bank Australia’s workforce is based.

Some of the upgrades customers can make in the program include swapping a gas oven or stove for an electric unit; replacing a gas hot water system with an electric heat pump; and installing rooftop solar panels.

An online home assessment provided by electrification platform BOOM will provide personalised recommendations for customers.

BOOM takes into account a home’s energy usage, current systems and appliances, and calculates the impact on costs and emissions.

The platform also connects customers with qualified suppliers and installers, and provides ongoing insight on the impact of their actions.

“We are committed to making a positive environmental impact, and helping people electrify their homes is a key enabler of emissions reductions,” BOOM co-founder and CEO Alex Houlston said. “It also happens to make good financial sense.”

Quarterly Carbon Market Report: Growth for renewables The Clean Energy Regulator has released its second Quarterly Carbon Market Report for 2023, which shows continued growth in consumer-led smallscale renewables, but a slowing in commitments to largescale investments.

Household and business rooftop solar is tracking to add 3.2GW of new installed capacity to the grid in 2023, with 1.4GW of capacity already installed this year from almost 160,000 PV systems.

“Australia has some of the best solar resources in the world and households and businesses continue to install rooftop solar at world leading rates,” Clean Energy Regulator CEO and chair David Parker said.

The first six months of 2023 saw Australia’s share of renewable electricity rise to more than 36 per cent of demand in the National Electricity Market, which is anticipated to grow to 40 per cent

by December.

So far in 2023, an estimated 60,000 new air-source heat pumps have been installed, up 70 per cent compared to the first half of 2022.

However, the first six months of the year have been quiet for new large-scale renewable energy investment commitments.

“We’ve downgraded our expectations

34 | ecogeneration December 2023

Wind and solar remain the cheapest options for new energy supply.

and now expect 2023 investment may not reach 3GW,” Parker said.

While wind and solar remain the cheapest options for new energy supply, rising costs for components, engineering and construction combined with strong international demand for these products and services are slowing their progress.

The latest Quarterly Carbon Market

Report confirms the nation is on track to deliver around 18 million Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) in 2023.

“We expect demand for ACCUs to increase as more facilities progressively finalise and implement their compliance strategies in line with the Safeguard rules, including to reduce emissions at source,” Parker said.

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NEWS | SOLAR INSTALLER

Vale Peter van der Wyk Tributes poured in across the clean energy industry following the recent sudden death of Australian solar pioneer Peter “Pedals” van der Wyk. He died from a heart attack on Saturday, 16 September, 2023, in Nimbin, in northern NSW. A desire for sustainable living saw van der Wyk form Rainbow Power Company in 1987, and the company is still going strong today, specialising in solar power, batteries, hot water and solar pumping systems.

Rainbow Solar Company posted a tribute to van der Wyk on Facebook on 18 September.

“It is with great sadness the Rainbow Power family shares the news of the passing of our founder, Peter ‘Pedals’ van der Wyk,” the company statement read.

“Pete was a true pioneer of the renewable energy industry. Author of seminal work on homemade energy systems, Energy From Nature, his passion for renewable energy was a

constant part of his life.

“From his pedal-powered Juicer, which saw him feature on That’s Incredible and Ripley’s Believe It or Not in the early ’80s, to the foundation of his ‘dream child’ with two mates in the late ’80s: that dream child was Rainbow Power Company.

“Long before Clean Energy Council and TAFE-approved solar courses, Peter helped produce the first off-grid solar accreditation that gave many titans of the industry their first taste of renewable energy.

“Nowhere else in the world could you learn about renewable energy in a factory run on renewable energy from people who mainly lived on renewable energy.

“Even after retiring a few years ago, he continued to pursue his passion, coming into Rainbow at least once a week to gather components for his latest project.

“He will be missed by all of the Rainbow Power Company family.”

Peter van der Wyk’s life and

achievements were celebrated at the headquarters of Rainbow Power Company at 1 Alternative Way in Nimbin on Sunday 1 October at 11am.

Peter “Pedals” van der Wyk.

Prioritising rooftop solar for social housing New modelling by the Australian PV Institute and University of NSW indicates that retrofitting solar onto social and affordable housing properties could save the families who live in them a collective $129 million each year.

The study reveals an investment of $532 million into rooftop solar for the 54,000 social housing properties in NSW could generate as much as 650MW (769GWh) of energy – 1.1 per cent of the National Electricity Market.

This solar uptake could create annual savings of $860 per year for 150,000

families. The average payback periods of solar systems would be less than four years for standalone houses, three-and-ahalf years for semi-detached houses, and five-and-a-half years for apartments.

“This is the low-hanging fruit,” Heidi Lee Douglas, national director of Solar Citizens said. “The government can decide to roll out solar for social housing from tomorrow as they own much of the stock and have willing partners in the not-for-profit community housing sector.”

The NSW Government’s recently

Expanding rooftop solar on government-owned properties could have benefits for grid stability.

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released Land and Housing Corporation Sustainability Strategy sets the priority of increasing solar installations at 30 per cent of housing stock by 2026, up from the current seven per cent.

The government is prioritising properties in far west NSW and regional areas of the state.

The Federal Government is also prioritising rooftop solar for social housing, offering $300 million to state and territory governments to co-fund energy upgrades for the sector. So far, Queensland and Victoria have committed to cocontributing to the fund.

Expanding rooftop solar on government-owned properties could also have benefits for grid stability and mitigating heat-island effects, which are created by large numbers of houses built with dark roofs, plus vast areas of tarmac absorbing heat – an issue in western Sydney.

Community housing provider BaptistCare NSW & ACT endorses the move towards rooftop solar for social housing.

“We see firsthand that families and individuals living in social and affordable housing are among the most vulnerable in our community to the impacts of climate change and the rising cost of living,” BaptistCare Community Services & Housing general manager Robyn Evans said.

“Solar deployment for tenants in BaptistCare’s 709 households across NSW could reduce electricity bills, enhance climate resilience and support a shift to net zero.”

December 2023 ecogeneration | 35

BATTERY GUIDE

AUSTRALIAN BATTERY GUIDE 2023 A REFERENCE FOR INSTALLERS

The uptake of energy storage is on the rise, with increasing numbers of Australian households and businesses seeking power independence. EcoGeneration’s annual battery guide helps installers stay up to date with the latest innovations and standards as part of the nation’s clean energy transition.

The benefits of batteries Battery storage allows surplus electricity generated by solar panels during the day to be stored for use when the sun has stopped shining.

Although batteries were first produced in the 1800s, the modern types of battery energy storage systems that can store solar power and provide electricity to households today are fairly new.

A battery storage system connects to a house in two main ways: DC-coupled (direct current) or AC-coupled (alternating current).

A DC-coupled battery storage system is often integrated to work directly with a solar system. These systems generally have a single inverter that uses DC energy generated from the solar system to charge that battery.

The inverter then converts the DC electricity to AC to supply the house or feed back into the grid.

An AC-coupled system is separate to the solar system. It connects directly to the house wiring via a dedicated bidirectional battery inverter, using local AC electricity to charge the battery and discharge it directly to the house.

Once set up, a battery storage system should operate automatically. Installing a battery storage system can provide a number of benefits when used in conjunction with an existing or new solar panel system.

A battery storage system can: • help reduce reliance on the grid • maximise energy used from solar panels by allowing surplus energy to be stored • offset the increased cost of power used during peak times, such as evenings • save money by charging the battery from the grid overnight when prices are low to use during peak times when prices are high (this will depend on the power agreement).

• provide electricity during power outages (this will depend on the system).

36 | ecogeneration December 2023

What is battery capacity?

One important consideration is the useable amount of energy in a battery storage system.

Some manufacturers promote their battery capacity based on total capacity – for example 10kWh. But all battery storage systems have depth of discharge (DoD), which is how much of total capacity can be used. Most battery storage systems cannot have 100 per cent of total energy drawn out of the battery.

Depth of discharge is expressed as a percentage of the total capacity. If a 10kWh battery has a DoD of 80 per cent, it will provide 8kWh of usable energy.

Lead-acid battery systems typically have a depth of discharge between 30 per cent and 50 per cent. Lithium-ion battery systems typically have a depth of discharge of 80 per cent and above.

For a DC coupled system, this will be based on the inverter controlling the system. For an AC coupled system, it will be based on the output rating of the bidirectional inverter in TABLE ONE

the unit. It we take the 10kWh battery mentioned above, and it has an output capacity of 5kW, under a full 5kW load the battery would only last for two hours.

How long do batteries last?

Product warranties on battery storage systems vary widely and are generally anywhere from two to 10 years. A battery storage system will often last longer than its warranty but its ability to store energy will gradually reduce over time with use.

The retailer a battery is purchased from should provide a retailer warranty.

Warranties vary between retailers, including how they define the life of the battery. Some retailers offer a warranty as an “energy throughput” figure, which means they guarantee their batteries will store and deliver a given amount of energy, no matter how quickly that limit is reached.

Energy throughput for lithium-ion batteries ranges from 4000–6000 cycles – where a ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

• One manufacturer • One warranty

• Predefined energy and power limits

• Customisable • Flexible energy and power limits can be set

• Extra layer of complexity • More than one manufacturer • More than one warranty

• Most designer flexibility of all solutions • Customisable energy and power limits

• Multiple warranty considerations

OFF-THE-SHELF SYSTEM These systems are typically all-in-one systems that require little customisation to be installed.

SEMI-CUSTOMISED SYSTEM Your designer may select various components (such as the inverter) and connect them to an off-the-shelf battery system to make your battery storage system.

FULLY-CUSTOMISED SYSTEM A system where the installer makes the battery system from individual battery cells or modules on site and connects it to an inverter to make the battery storage system.

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BATTERY GUIDE

cycle is a charge and discharge of the battery – at 80 per cent discharge rate, meaning an expected life of 10 years for high-performing systems, if cycled once a day.

Some battery retailers offer a warranty guaranteeing either an energy throughput or a lifetime in years, usually based on whichever limit is reached first.

FLOW BATTERY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What does battery capacity mean?

Battery capacity is expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh), similar to the way electricity is charged. Some battery manufacturers – especially those that make lead acid batteries – express their capacity in ampere hours (Ah).

While manufacturers will often quote a battery’s optimum capacity, it is important to consider the useable amount of energy in a battery storage system when comparing systems. Some manufacturers promote their battery capacity based on total capacity – for example, 10kWh.

recharged by replacing the electrolyte liquid, while simultaneously recovering the spent material for re-energisation.

The main limitation with flow batteries is their low energy and power density compared to lithium-ion and lead-acid.

Different classes of flow cells (batteries) have also been developed, including redox, hybrid and membrane-less.

The fundamental difference between conventional batteries and flow cells is energy is stored as the electrode material in conventional batteries, but as the electrolyte in flow cells.

How big are battery storage systems?

Many battery storage solutions are available.

They come in a range of sizes based on the technology they use and the amount of energy they store (typically between the size of a split system air-conditioner and a fridge). Leadacid batteries tend to be physically larger than lithium batteries.

The three most common ways to purchase a battery storage system If you are purchasing a battery storage system on behalf of your customer, it’s important to discuss their needs with a system designer.

The most common ways to purchase a system are shown as outlined in Table One (page 36).

What different types of batteries are available?

Flow batteries In a flow battery, rechargeability is provided by two chemical components dissolved in liquids.

These chemicals are contained within the system and are most commonly separated by a membrane. This technology is akin to both a fuel cell and a battery, where liquid energy sources are tapped to create electricity and can be recharged within the same system.

One of the biggest advantages of flow batteries is they can be almost instantly TABLE TWO

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

• Higher capacity and storage • Lighter weight and higher voltage • Smaller space and environmental footprint • Reduced maintenance due to inbuilt battery management systems • Longer cycle life and greater depth of discharge

• Possible limitation in operating temperature range • Recycling programs in Australia in infancy but expanding • Restricted installation

• Well-understood technology • Easy to acquire • Readily recyclable and have commercial value

• Require regular (albeit simple) checks and maintenance • Limited depth of discharge (that is, a lower proportion of the energy stored can be used) • Requirement for external venting, which restricts installation locations

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES Lithium-ion batteries are becoming a popular choice for use with household solar panels and may become the main technology used in the future. Lithium-ion technology has been used for many years in portable devices, including in laptops and mobile phones. Due to falling costs and increased production, they can now be manufactured in larger sizes and are well suited to storing solar power.

LEAD-ACID BATTERIES The technology behind lead-acid battery storage is similar to that of a car battery.

Lead-acid batteries are commonly used with solar panels in remote rural homes, where connection to the grid is prohibitively expensive. Thanks to advances in technology, systems well suited to solar power storage are readily available in the form of lowmaintenance sealed lead-acid batteries.

38 | ecogeneration December 2023

Is battery storage applicable if there is a feed-in tariff?

An important consideration when installing a battery storage system with an existing solar panel system is the impact it will have on the solar feed-in tariff. This is a particular consideration for consumers on premium feed-in tariffs as any alteration to an existing system could result in the loss of the premium rate.

A Clean Energy Council-accredited designer will be able to calculate potential savings as part of the load analysis and choose a system right for the client’s needs. Factors such as the size of the system, how much electricity is exported and the feed-in tariff amount will determine the client’s cost savings.

Will a battery work in a blackout?

Not all battery storage systems provide backup power.

Some will work instantaneously during a blackout and some may provide backup following a brief lag. If the battery storage system needs to work during a blackout, discuss it with the system designer and choose an appropriate product. If an uninterrupted supply of electricity is required, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery storage system will need to be installed. UPS battery systems are typically larger and more complex to install, and cost more than other systems. www.ecogeneration.com.au

BATTERY GUIDE

If the battery is charged, it will be able to provide power to the home during a blackout.

However, there may be a limit to the number of appliances that can be operated during the blackout. This will depend on the backup rating of the battery storage system.

Alternatively, the installer can wire specific appliances so they can be used in a blackout.

Some storage systems can power a whole house during a blackout.

Some systems will have a disruption to power (usually a couple of seconds) between the blackout occurring and the system kicking in to supply power.

If a customer is looking to go completely off-grid, consult with a system designer who is Clean Energy Council-accredited.

Going completely off-grid?

If a client would like to completely disconnect from the grid and supply their entire household with clean power, there are many factors to consider: • The battery system will need to be large enough to meet the energy needs during the required number of days of autonomy during the highest usage times of the year.

The battery inverter will also need to deliver the maximum power demand of the electrical loads, and the solar system will need to be large enough to replenish the battery and supply loads during the worst solar months of the year. In most cases, that means a very large solar system and battery storage system will need to be installed.

• Large systems can present challenges, including their physical size, town planning regulations and grid-connection requirements. Off-grid systems are more

• Chemical leakages similar to corrosive fluid in car batteries or household chemical cleaning products.

• Small children and pets should be kept away from the battery storage system.

• Items should not be stored on top of the battery storage system.

• The battery storage system will heat up, similar to a laptop, but shouldn’t be hot to touch. Like all electrical equipment, battery storage systems emit some level of electromagnetic radiation, within safe limits.

• Servicing of the battery storage system should be done by an accredited installer.

complex to design and install.

• Back-up, such as a generator, will be required by the client if something goes wrong.

What happens if your client moves house?

It is possible for a storage system to be moved if your client moves residence, in the same way solar panels can be moved.

If product standards change, the battery storage system may no longer meet the new standards and it won’t be able to be reinstalled. If the system is moved, it has to be carefully reinstalled by an accredited installer.

SAFETY AND STANDARDS Battery storage systems do have some safety risks, just like solar panels or any other major piece of electrical equipment.

Provided your system is installed to all relevant Australian standards and used and maintained properly, battery storage is safe.

However, it’s important to be aware of the risks so you can manage them safely.

Safety hazards of battery systems: • The general hazards of electrical wiring.

• Chemical, fire or explosive hazards. For a battery system, these are similar to the risks associated with bottled gas or a natural gas service. For this reason, smoking around a battery system is dangerous and it is advisable to check whether the system being installed vents gas.

• Non-flammable gases escaping when charging or discharging from lithium batteries may pose a risk to inhaling noxious gases, similar to natural gas leaks.

Safety standards for lithium batteries The best practice Battery Safety Guide, found at batterysafetyguide.com.au, has been developed by industry and represents the agreed best practice.

The guide requires testing under a range of extreme conditions, such as dropping the battery from a height, smashing it, firing a nail into it, overheating it, overcharging it and short-circuiting the terminals.

Tests are conducted to determine if the technology can withstand extreme conditions such as fire, explosions, leakage, venting of flammable gases or rupture of the casing.

The guide also requires the manufacturer to provide important safety information for end users.

If you are considering the purchase of a lithium battery, ask the retailer to provide proof it has been tested in accordance with this guide. Alternatively, the Clean Energy Council’s Approved Energy Storage Devices

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December 2023 ecogeneration | 39

BATTERY GUIDE

list only includes batteries that have been independently tested to confirm they meet the necessary electrical safety and quality standards required by the guide. Only products that are listed under their actual brand name and model number are valid.

MAINTENANCE AND WARRANTIES The lifetime of a battery is strongly dependent on how the system is used. Poor or heavy usage may mean the product doesn’t last as long as the manufacturer’s specifications.

The lifetime also depends on ambient temperatures. All battery types should be checked during extreme hot and cold weather to see whether they are still performing as required.

Batteries can be discharged across a wide temperature range (-20˚C to 60˚C) but charge temperature should be limited for best results.

A system owner’s electricity consumption may also change over time, which can alter the long-term performance and life of the battery storage system.

System monitoring It is important to keep an eye on how a battery storage system is operating. Different manufacturers have different ways to do this: • Some systems have a display on the battery storage system itself, with indicators such as operating mode and battery state of charge.

• Some systems support a remote display option that can be installed inside the house.

• Some systems can connect to the internet and allow the user to view information on a computer, smartphone or tablet, even when they are not home.

• In addition to monitoring systems provided by your battery storage system manufacturer, third-party home energy monitoring solutions are also available.

warranty documentation. In addition to any contractual warranty, the owner has additional rights under Australian Consumer Law and the relevant state sale of goods legislation.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website also has further information on warranties, consumer guarantees and rights to remedies: accc.gov. au/consumers.

Workmanship complaints The benefit of the owner using a Clean Energy Council-accredited designer/installer is the Clean Energy Council can resolve complaints involving workmanship issues that breach Accreditation Guidelines or relevant Australian Standards by a Clean Energy Council-accredited designer/installer. This only applies to individual tradespeople who hold Clean Energy Council accreditation and does not extend to retailers.

Retailer complaints If the owner has a complaint against a company identifying itself as a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer, the owner should first contact the company.

If they are not satisfied with the response from the company, they should contact the relevant consumer protection organisation.

They can also register their complaint with the Clean Energy Council, which can investigate breaches of the Approved Solar Retailer program.

This may result in the retailer having its approval revoked.

Inspections Depending which state a system is installed in, a safety inspection may be carried out by a relevant electrical authority. These inspections may be mandatory or occur on a random audit basis. In some states, the installer is responsible for organising the inspection of a system. The inspection may need to be carried out before the system can be connected to the grid.

What should owners do if the company has gone out of business?

If the retailer has become insolvent and is unable to be contacted, a complaint can be lodged with the retailer’s administrators. You can find out if a company has become insolvent via the Australian Securities and Investment Commission website or by phoning 1300 300 630.

The owner can also contact the local Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs office.

If the manufacturer has gone into administration, a complaint can be lodged with the company’s administrators. The owner may become an unsecured creditor.

Warranties If there is an issue with the battery storage system while it’s still under warranty, the owner should contact the retailer to have the product repaired or replaced.

Contact details should be provided on the

Commercial complaints If the owner has a commercial complaint including warranties, payments and contractual issues, they should contact the relevant Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs office in their state or territory:

40 | ecogeneration December 2023

ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS

VIC WA

Fair Trading: 13 22 81 Fair Trading: 13 32 30 Consumer Affairs: 1800 019 319 Office of Fair Trading: 13 74 68 Consumer and Business Services: 13 18 82 Consumer, Building and Occupational Services: 1300 654 499 Consumer Affairs: 1300 558 181 Consumer Protection: 1300 304 054

Electrical safety If there are concerns about the safety and technical compliance of the battery storage system, contact the electrical authority in your state or territory: ACT Planning: 02 6207 1923 NSW Fair Trading: 13 32 30 NT NT WorkSafe: 1800 019 115 QLD Electrical Safety Office: 1300 362 128 SA Office of the Technical Regulator: 08 8226 5518 TAS Department of Justice: 1300 135 513 VIC Energy Safe Victoria: 1800 800 158 WA Building and Energy: 1300 489 099 BATTERY RECYCLING AND END OF LIFE When purchasing a battery storage system for install, ask the retailer whether they have a battery recycling program in place.

Batteries contain harmful and dangerous materials such as acid, lithium and heavy metals (cadmium, cobalt and lead). Batteries need to be managed throughout their lifecycle and their end-of-life.

This includes handling, collection, storage, transport and processing.

When a battery needs replacing, the old battery should be disposed of at a battery recycling station or other suitable site.

Batteries that require recycling should be stored safely in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets. All exposed terminals should be taped up.

More information on battery recycling can be found at batteryrecycling.org.au and envirostream.com.au, Australia’s first lithium-ion battery recycler.

State and federal jurisdictions As of July 2019, the Victorian Government banned e-waste from entering landfill. It defines e-waste as “any end-of-life equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly”. Simply put, e-waste is anything with a plug, battery or power cord that is no www.ecogeneration.com.au

BATTERY GUIDE

longer wanted or useful. This includes solar panels, solar battery systems and inverters.

Battery stewardship The Clean Energy Council has taken a leading role in establishing a body to oversee the implementation of a battery stewardship scheme.

The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) was formed in early 2019, combining government and industry bodies that have undertaken important background work on understanding the markets and barriers to recycling that need to be addressed in a stewardship scheme.

The Clean Energy Council is working with the BSC on the design of an industry-led stewardship scheme. For more information on the BSC, visit bsc.org.au Why it is important to recycle your battery storage system Depending on chemistry type, batteries may contain harmful and dangerous materials such as acid, lithium and heavy metals (such as cadmium, cobalt and lead).

Importance of safe and responsible disposal of your battery You can be part of the solution. Ensure your batteries are managed responsibly and are recycled or reused to: • enable the recovery and reuse of lead, iron, plastics, aluminium, copper, lithium, cobalt and electrolyte • divert toxic and hazardous materials from landfill • ensure batteries are managed safely • prevent injury due to contractor training and experience in safe lifting and handling • minimise the risk of damage and potential for fire during removal and transport • protect system components during deinstallation, improving potential for reuse in a second life.

Simple steps to safe and responsible battery disposal 1) When buying a battery, find out if it contains recycled content and is recyclable.

2) Learn about the risks of deinstallation and understand your system. Know what to do and what not to do.

3) Plan for safe and responsible management of batteries at the design and installation stage.

4) Find a Clean Energy Council accredited installer to advise you on deinstallation.

5) Ensure an accredited recycler is used. www.ecogeneration.com.au

SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE DISPOSAL OF YOUR BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT

SAFETY

Recycling or reuse ensures resources are not wasted.

Batteries contain energy and have potential to cause electric shock.

Disposal to landfill may cause fire, releasing highly toxic smoke into the community.

Batteries contain matter that could catch fire if damaged.

Disposal to landfill may contaminate soil or water.

Batteries are heavy and improper handling can cause injury.

Recycling using accredited recyclers ensures safe recovery of material.

Batteries may contain hazardous substances.

How much power do you need from the system?

There are two key concepts to understand: • Power: How fast energy can be supplied (kilowatts, or kW).

• Energy: How much energy is stored by the system (kilowatt hours, or kWh) A typical house may use around 18kWh of energy a day with a maximum power consumption of 4.5kW to 15kW, although this can vary significantly.

As long as it is connected to the grid, the battery storage system does not need to provide for all the power needs.

Most battery storage systems on the market have a power rating of 2kW to 5kW and an energy rating of 2kW to 14kWh. Multiple systems can be used to scale this up if necessary.

The peak demand will depend on how many and which appliances are used at the same time.

Typical maximum power requirements of some high-powered appliances: • Electric storage hot water – 3.6kW • Plug-in EV slow charger – 2.3kW • EV charger – 7.2kW • 5kW split system air-conditioner – 2kW • Oven – 3kW • Electric cooktop – 6kW. As a general rule, any appliances that heat or cool will need more power than other appliances. Control systems may be used to diversify appliance usage to keep maximum demand down.

• Understand what the battery will be used for and the amount of energy available for that use (this is usually less than the manufacturer’s rated total amount of energy labelled on the batteries).

• The owner needs to monitor the system regularly (at least once a month) and know how to read any battery monitoring system that is in place.

• Know and understand any alerts or warnings that come up on the battery or on the battery monitoring system, and what to do if they occur.

• Ensure the owner knows what to check for when doing a visual check or taking meter readings.

• As batteries do not perform well with sudden changes in ambient temperature, the owner may need to do additional monitoring on extremely hot or cold days.

• Ensure batteries are not accessible to children and are vermin-proof. Do not store items on top of, or lean items against, batteries or enclosures because they could be a potential electrical fire risk.

• Ensure batteries have the correct safety and warning signs for the battery type, and that the owner knows the correct procedures in case of an emergency.

• Keep manufacturer, installer and warranty information to access as needed.

Battery storage system checklist Every good install ends with the system owner being given a full system documentation pack and getting a simple, clear briefing on technology that’s new to them.

The following checklist will help new battery owners feel comfortable about their investment and their system:

Disclaimer: EcoGeneration has made every effort to ensure that the information in this guide was correct at the time of publication.

The publisher does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

EcoGeneration thanks the Clean Energy Council for technical guidance in the production of the 2023 Battery Guide.

December 2023 ecogeneration | 41

SOLAR INSTALLER | BATTERY GUIDE

A storage solution built for off-grid battery systems When the sun goes down, battery storage technology is a reliable solution to harness its power and provide generated energy. Wescor Electrical has the solution for the off-grid battery installers.

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ith a focus on research and development, Wescor Electrical aims to provide customers with state-of-the-art solar systems built for future energy demands and new technology.

It is through this focus that Wescor Electrical Director Wesley Corbet designed the Wescor battery and equipment enclosure for lithium-ion applications in 2020.

The cabinet was designed for Wescor Electrical battery installations, due to a cabinet of this design’s scarce availability that was suitable for a variety of lithium-ion batteries.

The Wescor cabinets are made specifically for the solar industry with an aim to make installations safer and easier for consumers.

Each cabinet is generally sold as an empty unit to other installers to install equipment of their choice to suit their battery installations.

There are also options for Wescor Electrical to provide a completed system to other installers.

Some of its features include a 19-inch rack which mounts with slide-in shelves for battery module mounting, a universal racking system for battery brands such as BYD Flex 5.0, Pylontech US3000C and US5000B. With a full aluminium design and stainless steel bolts fittings installed throughout the design, the Wescor equipment cabinets are easy to position and provides a long service life.

The cabinets are also sized to enable mounting of all inverters and charge controllers in the same panel.

This makes the installation safer, while keeping all equipment out of sight and protected from the elements.

The system also includes a three-point locking system, rain protected vents to facilitate passive and forced ventilation with removable covers.

Within each cabinet, there is a document pocket on the inside of the door for easy access. Dust filters are also installed on the inlet outlet vents, with all ventilation fans installed as standard.

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The Wescor battery and equipment enclosure.

There are also punched aluminium screens covering all openings to prevent any unwanted entry by insects.

Paired with an internal circuit breaker section for individual battery module isolation, the Wescor solar battery and equipment enclosure is a system built for the future.

In the three years since its launch, the Wescor cabinet has evolved to have four different sizes, with two new designs on the horizon.

A family-owned business first established in 2009, Wescor Electrical is based in Gympie, Queensland and has sold and installed solar power systems for over 14 years.

Led by Corbet, who has over 30 years of experience within the electrical industry, the company has installed over 2500 systems across the Cooloola, Wide Bay Burnett, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane regions in Queensland.

For more information, visit wescor.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au

BATTERY GUIDE | SOLAR INSTALLER

Meeting Australia’s demand for total energy solutions Growatt is helping Australian households and businesses gain energy independence with its latest inverter and battery innovations.

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nergy solutions company Growatt has recently expanded its offerings to the Australian residential and consumer renewables market, with versatile new inverter and battery products setting the standard for power efficiency and performance.

As a clean energy company that services the nation’s households and businesses, Growatt is addressing increased demand for energy independence with battery-ready inverters and power storage units.

Battery-ready inverter Growatt’s MOD 3-10KTL3-XH battery-ready inverter offers solutions for many solar applications. It functions as a standard on-grid inverter with potential for battery integration and flexibility for energy storage.

With a discharge capacity range from 3–10kW, it meets the power needs of most households, ensuring reliable electricity during peak usage, and is a flexible and efficient solution for solar energy generation and storage.

High-voltage battery To complement the MOD 3-10KTL3-XH inverter, Growatt has introduced its APX highvoltage battery, which enables independent

MOD 3-10KTL3-XH.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

APX high-voltage battery.

charging and discharging of individual modules, employing cutting-edge, softswitching parallel connection technology.

Safety is at the forefront of the APX battery’s design, featuring advanced protection mechanisms. It is IP66-rated for weather resistance and offers flexible capacity ranging from 5–30kWh. The APX supports mixed use of old and new batteries on the same site, enhancing its adaptability and sustainability for all scenarios.

All-in-one energy solution Growatt recently launched its EASE all-in-one energy storage solution, which is compatible with ALP low-voltage batteries.

This solution comes with an IP66 rating and 5kWh per module, and has a maximum capacity of 40kWh. The inverter included in the system has a maximum input current of 16A, a built-in UPS function, an integrated smart meter, and 600V DC panel voltage.

The all-in-one design reduces installation time while delivering high performance at an affordable price point. Its high-energy density and resilient construction means it is capable of performing in all weather conditions.

Hybrid inverter At All-Energy Australia in October 2023, Growatt launched a high-output commercial hybrid inverter with a capacity of 100kW.

The EASE 3-6KTL 5-40kWh-H.

The WIT 50–100K-H device features 10 MPPTs and 100 per cent unbalanced output in back-up mode, with the ability to parallel three inverters on one site for total capacity of 300kW output.

It is suitable for most commercial or small industrial sites. The APX commercial battery is the best choice for use with the WIT inverter, with its capacity range of 129–200kWh. Portable power stations Growatt also provides portable power solutions in Australia, with its Infinity 1500, Infinity 1300 and VITA 550 models featuring a built-in bi-directional superfast charging function that enables them to be charged to 80 per cent capacity in one hour.

They also serve as emergency power supply sources with an uninterruptible power supply function. The battery sizes for these models are 1512Wh, 1382Wh and 538Wh. For more information, visit au.growatt.com December 2023 ecogeneration | 43

SOLAR INSTALLER |BATTERY GUIDE

Aeson Power: Pioneering excellence in battery technology In the dynamic landscape of renewable energy and power solutions, Australian-based Aeson Power stands out as a beacon of innovation and reliability.

The APS500 Lithium-ion battery module.

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s a proud partner company of XuPai Group, Aeson Power has etched its mark on the industry with over 28 years of unparalleled expertise in power batteries, energy storage, and UPS batteries.

Powering the future with cutting-edge solutions Aeson Power takes pride in being the exclusive supplier for government 44 | ecogeneration December 2023

departments and large enterprises in the Australian market.

Specialising in high-reliability solar storage systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), communication and data centres, and motive power, the company offers tailored advice and system solutions that epitomize excellence.

Over the past decade, Aeson Power’s research and development team has dedicated itself to pushing the

boundaries of innovation. Its passion for continuous improvement has resulted in a series of reliable and affordable battery products that cater to myriad customised applications.

By aligning with industry benchmarks and embracing technological advancements, Aeson Power ensures its offerings remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving energy landscape. www.ecogeneration.com.au

BATTERY GUIDE | SOLAR INSTALLER

Aeson Power specialises in high-reliability solar storage systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), communication and data centres, and motive power.

Engineering mastery and design expertise At the heart of Aeson Power’s success lies its remarkable capacity for design and engineering services. A team of highly skilled professionals, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities, enables the creation of bespoke battery solutions aligned with the client’s precise requirements.

This proficiency not only places the company at the forefront of technological advancements but also ensures its offeringsare energy-efficient, sustainable, and adept at addressing unique challenges across diverse sectors.

Commitment to excellence in customer support Aeson Power’s commitment extends beyond product excellence to comprehensive support and repair services.

Recognising that batteries are the lifeblood of modern gadgets, the company employs a team of highly www.ecogeneration.com.au

“By aligning with industry benchmarks and embracing technological advancements, Aeson Power ensures its offerings remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving energy landscape.” trained technicians equipped with the latest tools and expertise. From routine maintenance checks to complex problem-solving, Aeson Power is dedicated to providing timely and efficient solutions.

With a focus on customer satisfaction and product reliability, the company remains a trusted partner in keeping devices powered up and running optimally.

Seamless project management for success Aeson Power doesn’t just provide products; it offers comprehensive project management services to ensure the seamless execution of battery-related projects across various industries.

Experienced project managers oversee every aspect, from conception to completion, ensuring projects stay on track, within budget, and meet quality standards.

With a deep understanding of battery technology and industry best practices, Aeson Power delivers exceptional project management solutions, guaranteeing the successful development, installation, and maintenance of battery systems tailored to clients’ unique needs and specifications.

In the evolving world of energy solutions, Aeson Power stands as a testament to innovation, reliability, and a commitment to powering a sustainable future.

For more information, visit aesonpower.com.au December 2023 ecogeneration | 45

SOLAR INSTALLER | SOLAR INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

The Solis inverter product range have engineers who produce effective and efficient products.

The key to unlocking life-changing opportunities For one family, raising triplets with special needs is a full-time job. However, locals have rallied in support of the family and through Solis Australia’s solar energy systems and green energy solutions have brought the hope of affordable electricity to this family.

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Triplets Anwen, Mahalah and Gideon with their parents Jemimah and Ben Read.

46 | ecogeneration December 2023

his is a heartwarming tale of family love and community support taking place in the rural town of Canowindra, New South Wales.

It takes a village to raise a family – and sometimes it takes even more than that – especially when the life of disabled triplets is at stake.

Anwen, Mahalah and Gideon Read were born with Merosin - a deficient muscular dystrophy and restrictive lung disease.

They are confined to motorised wheelchairs and have significant medical, mobility and independent-living needs. The triplets live at home with their full-time carer parents, Jemimah and Ben Read.

The Read family home is modified for wheelchair and disability access, which was made possible through the Read Triplets Foundation, founded by the local community.

Anwen, Mahalah and Gideon’s quality of life has been improved, thanks to Solis’ involvement in the facilitation and delivery of a hydrotherapy pool.

Solis is an industry leader specialising in delivering solar inverter technology from Ginlong Technologies in the form of the new Solis range of inverters.

The Solis inverter product range has the www.ecogeneration.com.au

SOLAR INVERTER TECHNOLOGY | SOLAR INSTALLER

benefit of more than 20 years of technical development and improvement deriving from the experience and determination of the Solis engineers to produce effective and efficient products.

Recently, the company, as part of a team, used green energy inverters to help with supply a hydrotherapy pool for the Read triplets.

“Solis is glad to be part of this fantastic project and hopes more corporations and professionals out there are inspired by this massive gesture, and that more of us move towards a sustainable future with renewable energy,” the company said.

The Foundation, the company that donated the power station, and Solis worked together to complete this project.

Solis shared it was very fortunate to be involved in this project and looks forward to more participation in such projects in the future, so that clean energy can bring hope to more people.

The 25 kilowatts (KW) solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solution installation was completed with donations from MMEM Greentech, Canadian Solar Inc., and Clenergy AUS & NZ. “Thank you MMEM Greentech for letting Clenergy Australia be part of this amazing project,” Solis said.

“This family is an inspiration, and we are sure that the Realising for the Read Triplets foundation is wrapped about their onsite hydrotherapy pool.

“Thanks for choosing us for our Solar Racking product and coupling us with some

Solis Australia used green energy inverters to help with supply a hydrotherapy pool for the Read triplets.

of the premium brands in the industry such as Canadian Solar Inc. & Solis and the great workmanship from Redfox Electrical Contractors.”

Solis hopes more corporations and professionals are inspired to move towards a sustainable future with renewables.

To find out more about the Read Triplets Foundation or to donate to this cause, please check out Read Triplets Inc. For more information, visit solisinverters.com.au Solis is an industry leader specialising in delivering solar inverter technology from Ginlong Technologies.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

December 2023 ecogeneration | 47

SOLAR INSTALLER | SOLAR TRAINING

PERC solar inventers recognised with award Four Australian solar cell inventors have been honoured with a top engineering prize from King Charles III.

Australian solar cell inventors awarded top prize from King Charles III. (L-R)Jianhua Zhao, Andrew Blakers, Martin Green and Aihua Wang.

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M King Charles III has awarded four pioneering Australians the world’s most prestigious engineering prize for their invention of PERC solar cell technology.

Dr Jianhua Zhao, Professor Andrew Blakers, Professor Martin Green and Dr Aihua Wang (pictured above, from left) have been awarded the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering for their development of the solar innovation at UNSW Sydney.

Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) photovoltaic technology has reduced the costs of solar panels by 80 per cent during the past decade. The quartet are credited for pioneering this breakthrough technology, which underpins exponential growth in high-performance, low-cost solar electricity worldwide.

King Charles presented the award at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London on 12 October, 2023.

During the past 40 years, Professor Green and his team’s pioneering work has

48 | ecogeneration December 2023

transformed photovoltaic technology and significantly reduced its costs. Solar is now the cheapest source of electricity in most countries.

The lynchpin of the team’s innovation is the boosting of solar panels’ energy conversion efficiency. It was once believed that 20 per cent efficiency was the practical limit for a single-layer silicon solar cell until papers by Professor Green, Professor Blakers, Dr Wang and Dr Zhao theoretically determined a maximum achievable efficiency of 25 per cent.

In 1983, at UNSW, Professor Green and Professor Blakers produced solar cells with 18 per cent efficiency, surpassing the previous record of 16.5 per cent.

In ensuing years, they published cell results of 19 per cent and 20 per cent efficiency.

Before the invention of PERC, most solar cells’ efficiency was limited by photongenerated electrons being lost through recombining with the thick, doped silicon layer at the back surface. To overcome this,

PERC introduced an additional layer on the back surface that helped prevent recombination by reflecting unused photons back into the silicon to generate more electrons.

The team published their first paper on PERC technology in 1989, spruiking 22.8 per cent efficiency.

Professor Green’s lab at UNSW held the global record for efficiency for 30 of 40 years from 1983 to 2023, with Dr Wang and Dr Zhao leading the work which eventually reached Green’s 25 per cent efficiency target.

They opted to publish rather than patent, since commercial uptake seemed remote, freeing PERC technology to be widely adopted. It took two decades of development before PERC technology entered the mainstream, however it is now the most commercially viable silicon solar cell technology for use in solar panels, accounting for almost 90 per cent of the global solar cell market. www.ecogeneration.com.au

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SOLAR INSTALLER | PROFILE

Solar for town and country

Darryl Bower has carved a niche delivering energy independence to remote communities in Western Australia, and now he is helping educate the next generation of solar installers in Perth.

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arryl Bower founded his electrical and solar business, CDI Energy, in 2009, when he was just 19 years old. The Perth-based company established itself in the PV installation industry and specialises in delivering energy solutions in remote locations across Western Australia.

Additionally, he is giving back to the next generation of solar installers through the Electrical and Communications Association of WA, which is teaming with SkillBuild to deliver renewable energy training at the College of Electrical Training campus at Jandakot, in Perth.

What is your background in the electrical trade?

I started CDI Energy in 2009 and back then there was the carbon emission trading scheme.

We were delivering solar on behalf of steel manufacturer Stratco.

They were installing solar in the residential space to offset their carbon emissions as part of the trading scheme.

When that wound up, we didn’t do a lot of work in the solar space from 2011 to 2015.

This was a point when the business shifted to mainly focusing on high-rise construction projects.

What brought you back to clean energy?

In 2015, we decided to return to the renewables space with a core focus on delivering projects in remote areas of Western Australia. From 2016, we have primarily done standalone power systems, microgrids and rooftop solar anywhere across the state.

What is the attraction of remote work?

The industry very quickly became cut-throat and margins eroded, which led to many electricians jumping into renewables so we decided to focus on remote areas as a point

CDI Energy has a core focus on delivering projects in remote areas of Western Australia.

50 | ecogeneration December 2023

www.ecogeneration.com.au

PROFILE | SOLAR INSTALLER

of difference. We saw what people were paying for diesel – 45 to 50 cents per kWh for energy – and realised we could deliver larger, more complex projects that provide the client with a similar return to the on-grid space.

Given the size of Western Australia, that must involve plenty of travel?

We run a crew of 22 guys who travel all across the state. Sometimes our projects can be as far as 2500km from our base. Our team developed a product called RSM (Rapid Solar Module), a PV mounting structure that is partially prefabricated in the workshop and then deployed onsite. We are the only part of the country that has Wind Region D so, in 2016, we had to develop a ground mount solar system that is suitable for the conditions.

Is it satisfying delivering projects to remote communities to give them energy independence?

Very much so. We arrive onsite and there is a diesel generator running 24/7, but you leave having provided a solution that can provide up to 80 per cent renewable penetration.

That is very good to be involved in.

Are you active in the mining industry?

A lot of our current focus is on providing relocatable hybrid solutions to the mining industry. We build Hybrid Skin, a 20-foot or 40-foot container base with foldout wings that open up, onboard energy storage and a backup diesel generator.

What major changes have you seen in the clean energy industry?

Definitely the technology around energy

CDI Energy build Hybrid Skin, a 20-foot or 40-foot container base.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

The Perth-based company established itself in the PV installation industry and specialises in delivering energy solutions.

storage and usability of adapting PV storage into a system. Think back 10 to 15 years, there were not many hardware options in the offgrid space. You were limited to about 30kW. Now we do off-grid up to 1MW and a couple of megawatt hours. The tech available is far better, and PV modules themselves, with the amount of power we can generate, reduce overall carbon footprints.

What is one of your most noteworthy projects?

In 2019, we did the Horizon Power Onslow DER [distributed energy resource] project with a company called Mechanical Project Services [MPS]. At the time, it was the largest microgrid in the world to run on 100 per cent renewables, with 2.7MW of PV and just under one megawatt hour of PV storage.

We installed about 240 solar systems across every house in Onslow, WA. It all became a renewable microgrid solution.

That’s where we first got to trial our RSM solution in Wind Region D. What is your involvement with the Electrical and Communications Association of WA? I’m a big advocate for training and am the vice-president of the ECA, where I have sat on the board for six years. We offer a standalone power system training course inhouse but have been struggling to find lecturers. I reached out to SkillBuild to ask if they would deliver the course and help train the industry in WA. I did my solar ticket through SkillBuild in 2014 and 2015. These courses are ongoing until January 2024.

Darryl Bower has been in the industry since he was 19.

December 2023 ecogeneration | 51

SOLAR INSTALLER | MICROINVERTERS

One under-performing panel will not affect other panels in the array. No single point of failure.

Hoymiles puts spotlight on microinverters With state-of-the-art technology, passionate engineers, and a vision of a sustainable future, Hoymiles empowers homeowners and professionals to join the journey to clean energy.

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oymiles lives by its motto: “to make good technology more impactful by lowering its cost and making it accessible to more people”.

That’s why the company’s microinverters range is at the heart of this purpose.

When it comes to solar, panels are just part of the picture. Inverters turn raw energy into safe, usable electricity.

But only microinverters give users the ultimate level of efficiency, precision, and performance.

Hoymiles is all about providing industryleading microinverters with the lowest failure rates possible and premium components. This allows users to maximise their yield, eliminate wasted electricity, and accelerate their journey to clean energy.

The importance of warranty Hoymiles’ microinverters are a standout on the market thanks to the company’s warranty policy.

From its standard 12 years coverage to flexible ways to extend it, the company’s warranty program is designed to take the uncertainty out of any installation.

To benefit from the warranty, only an online registration is required – it’s even possible to extend it up to 25 years by contacting the Hoymiles team.

Plus, if users are to encounter any issues with a microinverter, Hoymiles and its local partners will repair the device on-site or replace it with a new or refurbished model.

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Why choose Hoymiles’ microinverters?

Choosing to opt for the company’s microinverters means also choosing to get the most out of a solar power system.

While solar panels and modules play an important role, it’s the inverters that hold the key to how efficient a solar power system is.

Micro-inverters eliminate the need for high voltage direct current wiring, which improves the safety for both solar installers and system owners.

The difference between microinverters A 1-in-1 microinverter only connects to and converts energy from one solar panel, while a 4-in-1 microinverter connects to four solar panels.

Installers should therefore think of 4-in-1s as a new tool at their disposal. They can be used alone, or alongside other types of microinverters; it’s all about assessing the situation and finding the microinverter that’s right for each scenario.

The 4-in-1 microinverters are still distinct from string inverters, which convert energy from multiple solar panels but only take in power via a single connection.

This means that if one solar panel connected to a string inverter goes down, the entire system can fail.

Hoymiles is all about providing industry-leading microinverters.

On the other hand, 4-in-1 microinverters have four independent connections; the output of each panel is tracked and converted individually, so if one panel stops working the microinverter can still continue to convert energy from the other three.

Choosing safety Microinverters eliminate the need for high voltage direct current wiring, which improves the safety for both solar installers and system owners.

Microinverters are connected in parallel and only carry a voltage of 40 volts, significantly downgrading the safety risk in the first place.

The module-level monitoring makes it easy for users to keep on top of the situation and detect potential problems.

For more information visit hoymiles.com www.ecogeneration.com.au

SOLAR TRAINING | SOLAR INSTALLER

Powering pathways to a solar career Holmesglen Institute is preparing Australia’s clean energy workforce for a net-zero future by expanding its course offerings to non-electrician students.

• Two short courses to gain accreditation: The ‘UEERE0061 Design GridConnected Photovoltaic Power Supply Systems’ and ‘UEERE0060 Design GridConnected Battery Storage Systems’ short courses complete the pathway for solar design accreditation.

Electricians and engineers who are interested in upskilling or gaining accreditation can tailor their training to suit career goals. All students must complete the ‘Foundational Site Survey’ course.

Engineers can fast-track the ‘Apply Electrical Principles’ course and undertake the ‘PV Power Supply Systems’ course or ‘Battery Storage Systems’ course to gain accreditation to design solar systems.

Holmesglen Institute’s Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence.

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ustralia’s clean energy transition is reshaping the landscape of the nation’s workforce. New career opportunities are emerging across the renewables sector and demand for skilled solar professionals is increasing.

To address this demand, Holmesglen Institute’s Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence, in Melbourne, is offering nationally accredited training programs to equip people working in the electrical trade, as well as non-electricians, with skills and knowledge for a career in solar energy.

Holmesglen Institute’s renewable energy senior instructor, David Tolliday, said the new national programs provide rewarding opportunities for anyone to enter the solar industry.

“While only electricians can install solar systems, everyone can learn how to design one, which involves planning, placing and configuring a system to efficiently capture sunlight,” he said. www.ecogeneration.com.au

There are many aspects to pathway for non-electricians to join the solar industry and gain accreditation in solar design: • A foundational short course: The ‘UEERE0054 Conduct Site Survey for GridConnected Photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Storage Systems’ course is an entry point to the solar energy industry for people from diverse backgrounds. It covers fundamental aspects of PV and battery storage systems, and is suitable for people working in solar sales or in a solar company’s office, as well as electricians and engineers. The curriculum teaches students how to conduct site surveys and effectively communicate with customers, designers and tradespeople.

• Course in lieu of electrical qualification: The ‘UEERE0051 Apply Electrical Principles to Renewable Energy Design’ course teaches students electrical knowledge that underpins design of a solar system.

Engineers may fast-track this unit.

Training a solar-skilled workforce Underpinning the modern approach to solar training is the Victorian Government’s ‘Clean Economy Workforce Development Strategy 2023 –2033’. With 30 per cent of Australia’s renewable energy jobs being based in Victoria, the 10-year plan aims to grow the training sector’s green energy capacity, improve access to energy qualifications, and meet rising industry demand for clean energy skills.

The State Electricity Commission (SEC) in Victoria is expected to contribute 59,000 jobs in renewable energy, and up to 6000 positions for apprentices and trainees.

Holmesglen Institute is one of the largest TAFEs in Victoria. It is considered the state’s premier training facility for renewable energy and has expanded its amenities for nationally accredited courses since 2008.

“To meet the demand for skilled clean energy workers, Holmesglen Institute’s Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence is leading the way in providing quality hands-on training,” Tolliday said.

“This is an ideal time to upskill or reskill and join the clean economy workforce as renewable energy rapidly expands in Victoria and Australia.”

For more information, visit holmesglen.edu.au December 2023 ecogeneration | 53

SOLAR INSTALLER | SOLAR

Forging a clean future Founded in 2006 by Zou Chenghui, Akcome Holding Group is a leading energy efficient intelligent manufacturing integrated service provider.

F

or 17 years in the new energy industry, Akcome has actively created a dualwheel driven business development model with the core of new energy manufacturing and new energy service.

As a result, it has been able to provide new energy manufacturing business with highefficiency cell and module manufacturing as the core.

With the support of mounting systems and solar frame manufacturing, the company has built a one-stop service of new energy power generation.

The new energy power generation covers the whole life cycle including investment consultation, design and development, EPC construction, operation and maintenance, and energy sales.

Akcome Optronics, a subsidiary of Akcome Technology, has been complying with the development trend of the new energy industry for the past 13 years.

Guided by “creating and leading efficiency new energy” the company adheres to the development of N-type cells and modules.

Akcome Optronics has been fully aware of the future direction of the industry, constantly improving the production capacity of solar cells and modules and holding the determination to deeply cultivate the photovoltaic industry, along with the technological development and change of the photovoltaic industry.

High-quality and efficient photovoltaic products and convenient and perfect supporting services are used to assist the development of the photovoltaic industry to achieve the goal of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality.

Part of Akcome Optronics’ highefficiency HJT Solar Modules, the core advantaged include low degradation, nondestructive cutting, low temperature welding, no PID, low temperature coefficient and backside generation gain.

Akcome HJT Modules adopt a nondestructive cutting process to ensure a smooth cutting surface of the cell, without the thermal-affected area, andno loss of current.

Topcon 440W in black.

In addition, the modules also adopt the production technology of lowtemperature ribbon and low-temperature

High-quality project engineering of a large-scale ground in Belgium.

54 | ecogeneration December 2023

www.ecogeneration.com.au

SOLAR | SOLAR INSTALLER

HJT Modules installed in Brazil.

Akcome implements strict quality management and pursues zero defect product.

flux, granting reliability and high-performance.

Compared to other types of solar modules, HJT modules have a lower temperature coefficient and a more stable power generation performance in high temperature environments. As a result, Akcome has guaranteed a power generation rate of no less than 93 per cent in 25 years.

The front and back sides of the Akcome HJT Modules are encapsulated by TCO conductive film. Under high voltage and bias conditions, an insulating layer isn’t able to form and PID is then avoided.

When looking at the back radiation gain, it depends on the reflectivity of the ground surface and the installation mode of the module.

The HJT module benefits from higher bifacial power generation coefficient, meaning the larger the radiation received by the back surface, the higher the power generation gain.

Building off the Akcome’s foundations of being at the forefront of new energy, Akcome Energy Research Institute was established in 2013, and has always been deeply engaged in the research, development, incubation, and application of key technologies of smart energy. www.ecogeneration.com.au

The research team is composed of advanced individuals who have master’s degrees, and eight to 10 years of photovoltaic frontier experience.

Over the past 10 years, the institute has taken a more down-to-earth approach, and accumulated more than 300 technology and invention patents.

More than 100 patents have been applied for in cell-related fields such as HJT. In 2022, the research and development investment exceeded 70 million yuan.

It has become the backbone force for technica transformation and strategic upgrading of Akcome.

By providing high-quality, efficient solar products and service, Akcome aims to continue contributing to the growth of the photovoltaic industry to help achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

For more information, visit en.akcome.com/module

The HJT 720W module.

December 2023 ecogeneration | 55

SOLAR INSTALLER | MARKET WRAP

Clean energy market wrap Marco Stella from CORE Markets provides a snapshot of Australia’s clean energy market.

Large-scale Generation Certificate (LGC) market After the relative stability seen across July and August 2023, LGCs saw the current year’s vintages soften steadily across September and October. Conversely, the further-out vintages climbed, with Cal26 leading the charge.

This would suggest some obligated entities have been implementing the socalled “shortfall strategy”, where they opt to pay the penalty for the 2023 obligation instead of surrendering LGCs, and purchase cheaper Cal26 vintage units in the forward market, with the intention to deliver the units in three years’ time to make good on the deferred 2023 obligation and be refunded the penalty cost.

It is interesting to note the middle of the curve (Cal24 and Cal25) held up relatively DOMESTIC

CREATION

SPOT PRICE ($)

LGC – Large-scale Generation Certificates

404,830,187

$48.60

STC – Small-scale Technology Certificates

408,210,604

$39.90

VEEC – Victorian Energy Efficient Certificates

82,764,475

$85.80

ESC – NSW Energy Saving Certificates

54,173,400

$26.00

DEC ‘23 PRICE (€)

DEC ‘23 PRICE ($)

€78.61

$129.70

INTERNATIONAL EUA – European Emission Allowances

56 | ecogeneration December 2023

well during this period, finding itself caught between the declining spot/Cal23s and the rising Cal26. Resultingly, for the first time in years, Cal23 forwards were trading at or below Cal24, upsetting the usual strong backwardation from the current compliance year.

At the time of writing, the last prices were: • LGC spots – $48.60 • Cal23 – $48.50 www.ecogeneration.com.au

MARKET WRAP | SOLAR INSTALLER

• Cal24 – $49 • Cal25 – $46 • Cal26 – $37.25.

Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) market The STCs saw the clearing house make a long-awaited return from deficit to surplus in mid-September, in the lead up to Q3 compliance, with a sharp reduction in the deficit occurring in the first two weeks of the month as creators rushed to submit STCs to receive the $40 clearing house price.

The brief surplus brought an increase in trading activity, with spots trading from $39.90 to as low as $39.77, and back, by the conclusion of the month. Forwards saw volume trade for 2024, with $39.75 being the reoccurring level for Q2 onwards.

After a month of market activity, the deficit clearing house returned by late October, yet at only 1.5 million it is far smaller than that seen after the Q2 surrender. It will not last long, meaning the market will likely see a return to activity by mid-November. Given Q4 represents the smallest quarterly obligation for the year and the biggest quarter of creation, the market may remain in surplus all the way to the Q1 2023 surrender in April.

Energy Efficiency Markets (VEECs and ESCs) The current situation in the VEEC market is an unusual one, with creation well down,

little confidence about new activities, strong but stable pricing and little carry in the forward curve. Across September and October, the spot VEEC market was incredibly stable, in the $85 range. The forward market showed a little more variation in September, with very modest escalations (carry) above the spot being witnessed, and sometimes even a discount at play.

This type of spot/forward relationship would normally occur when expectations of future supply are significant. Yet in the VEEC market right now, that is not the case. Actual VEEC supply has been tracking well below the required run rate for most of the year and, based on the status quo, there

will not be enough VEECs available to meet the 2024 obligation if nothing changes.

The main reason for the price not climbing further towards the $128.50 taxeffective penalty appears to be the belief that some regulatory intervention will occur given the impact of high VEEC prices on electricity bills.

While the VEECs were largely stable during September and October, ESCs were a tale of two polarising months. September was choppy, with the spot price moving from its open at $25.50 to $30.50, before settling at $27 by the beginning of October.

The market then remained virtually dead-flat for the rest of the month before stepping down to $26 on the back of sustained high creation, where we remain at the time of writing. Strong creation from the heat pump method is largely responsible for softer pricing across this year, but consultations announced during this period seem set to reduce ESC creation from this method, as well as usher in the long-awaited phase out of commercial lighting.

The above information has been provided

by CORE Markets and relates, unless otherwise indicated, to spot prices in Australian dollars as of 2 November, 2023.

The above information has been provided

by CORE Markets and relates, unless otherwise indicated, to spot prices in Australian dollars as of 25 August, 2023.

CORE Markets is an end-to-end markets, technology and climate solutions partner for business. Marco Stella is head of carbon and renewable markets at CORE Markets.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

December 2023 ecogeneration | 57

SOLAR INSTALLER | SOLAR TESTING

Improving solar performance through drone testing A collaboration between PV Lab Australia and QE-Labs Singapore is bringing electroluminescence solar drone mapping to Australia for the first time.

PV Lab and QE-Labs performed drone EL inspections.

P

V Lab Australia and Quantified Energy Labs, from Singapore, are partnering to deliver high-volume drone electroluminescence inspection services for Australia’s utility-scale solar market.

The Australian-first initiative aims to improve the quality of solar panels installed across the nation. It combines PV Lab’s onsite capability and laboratory services with Quantified Energy Labs’ (QE-Labs) technology platform for automatically guided drone electroluminescence (EL) solutions with matching data analytics.

In May 2023, PV Lab and QE-Labs performed drone EL inspection of approximately 45,000 modules at a utilityscale solar plant. The inspection was part of the end-of-the-defect-liability period (DLP) and prior to handover to the farm owner.

The inspection was the first of its kind in Australia, and the largest globally for a PV plant with an inline fuse system. The drone mapping enabled the identification of 58 | ecogeneration December 2023

defective modules and proactive addressing of performance issues.

“The ability of drone EL mapping to accurately pinpoint problematic modules is a game changer for us,” the solar plant’s operations and asset manager said. “We can now selectively replace the worst-performing modules wherever they are in the plant. This allows significant improvement of the overall system performance and for us to maximise our energy output.”

Lawrence McIntosh, a partner at PV Lab, said the collaboration will deliver significant savings on photovoltaic inspections.

“This solution allows inspection costs to be reduced up to a factor of 20 times previous costs,” he said. “This makes it viable for us to inspect whole plants as opposed to samplingbased approaches.”

Testing PV modules after installation and before DLP expiry is a critical step in facilitating handover to site owners. It allows for a baseline of the plant condition to be established, which aids long-term maintenance and can be valuable after a

storm event or for general troubleshooting.

“It showcases the effectiveness and potential of the solution to address the needs of solar asset owners,” Dr Michelle McCann, a partner at PV Lab said. “This collaboration puts PV Lab and QE-Labs at the forefront of efficient and precise testing services of solar installations in Australia.”

Artificial intelligence and quantitative analysis algorithms play a crucial role in the post-data processing phase.

“Our big data processing and visualisation, along with the user-friendly dashboard and PDF reports, enables us to provide valuable insights to our clients,” Dr Karl Bedrich, chief technology officer at QE-Labs said. “We are thrilled to expand our services to the Australian market in joint effort with PV Lab, following our successful launches in the US, EU, China and other ASEAN countries.”

Autonomous drone testing is safer and more straightforward than traditional manual EL inspection methods. Performing EL inspections at night allows solar plants to continue operation during the daytime.

Drone EL operation in New South Wales.

www.ecogeneration.com.au

Christmas Island

Kununurra

Broome

Darwin Katherine

Tenant Creek Karratha

Port Hedland

Tanami

Townsville

Mount Isa

Mackay With over 13 years of delivering Onslow Alice Longreach Rockhampton renewable energy courses in Springs Emerald Bundaberg 30 towns and cities across Australia, Coober Pedy Charleville Brisbane is a training organisation Geraldton Roxby Downs Roma Toowoomba with a focus on the precise needs of Kalgoorlie Port Augusta Byron Bay Perth tradies looking to improve their Dubbo Whyalla Nambucca Heads Bunbury Orange Newcastle opportunities in a rapidly changing Adelaide Port Lincoln Esperance Sydney Horsham world. Our trainers have a combined Naracoorte Canberra 60 years experience in renewable energy Mt Gambier Melbourne installations and with a total of 8 training centres Launceston across Australia, we are the largest training organisation in Hobart this area in the country. We are not just a training organisation – we are contractors as well.

What’s new?

CET and SkillBuild Join

Electrical Contractors

Forces

Courses

We have teamed with College of Electrical Training to deliver all our renewable energy courses at their Jandakot campus. CET train half of the electrical apprentices in WA and we are pleased to be associated with the ECA. The Construction Training Fund may pay up to 80% of the course fee subject to eligibility.

Visit the CET website to enrol: www.cet.asn.au

We offer a variety of courses that are delivered by our contractors and specifically designed for gaining skills and knowledge in the electricity industry.

Scan the QR code below or visit our website to enrol: skillbuild.edu.au/ product-category/ electrical-contractors

Scan the QR code to enrol on our website and to find out more about our new courses. You can also contact us through: 1800 059 170 training@skillbuild.edu.au skillbuild.edu.au

New electric vehicle (EV) training centres in Sydney and Melbourne We’re opening new EV training centres in Melbourne and Sydney in April 2024 for auto technicians.

New Off Grid courses in early 2024 Available in Sydney, Adelaide Perth and Brisbane. Visit our website for more information.

RTO 70059

Solis Residential PV Inverter S6-GR1P(3-6)K-S • String current up to 16A • Integrated with zero export power control function • Light weight with compact design for easy installation • 2 MPPT design with precise MPPT algorithm

t: 03 8555 9516

| e: sales@solisinverters.com.au

www.solisinverters.com.au