Solar & Storage Autumn 2017 by Smart Energy Council

Solar & Storage AUTUMN 2017

Families turning to storage solutions EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE For more information see page 12 or visit www.solar.org.au WEDNESDAY MAY 3 AND THURSDAY MAY 4, 2017 MELBOURNE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL & THE ENERGY STORAGE COUNCIL

• Watershed year for solar and storage • Solar’s stellar rise ... • ... And the storage boom underway • Energy retailer figures out the future • Who is buying solar and why

Australian Solar Council Foreword by CEO and guest John Connor, The Climate Institute

Solar on Show 2017

Vale Bill Parker

Master Installer program and Certified Storage training

Positive Quality™

Corporate Members

Contents AUTUMN 2017

Market Dynamics News and views

Infographic: PV and climate change

Around the traps

Special Features Watershed year for solar and storage

Climate Council: Solar’s stellar rise

Family’s thumbs up to solar and storage

EnergyAustralia’s transition to green power

Our Energy’s community model

It’s Time repairs solar systems wrecked by cyclone

Around the industry Pierre Verlinden of Trina’s 38-year journey

Solar system demographics: revelations

ARENA and CEFC forge ahead

Notable quotes

Front cover: Family solar and storage – see story page 16. Image: Kirsty Waterford of Reposit Power in ACT

Solar on Show: exhibitor preview Alpha ESS

AC Solar Warehouse

Surpass Sun Electric

Products and services MPower

Storage sets the scene

Storage news, innovation and applications

Sunwiz: battery boom in store

Redback case study and installer tips

Benefits of home energy management systems

The value of the Energy Storage Council

SOLAR & STORAGE is published by the AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL. ABN 32 006 824 148 www.solar.org.au Subscription and membership enquiries contact Anna Washington, Phone: 0409 802 707, anna@solar.org.au

14 40 44

AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL CEO John Grimes PO Box 231, Mawson ACT 2607 admin@solar.org.au Phone: 1300 768 204 Solar & Storage ISSN 2206-1673

Solar & Storage and Storage Developments advertising enquiries contact: Brett Thompson, Sales Manager | Phone: 0402 181 250 | brett@solar.org.au

SOLAR & STORAGE EDITOR: Nicola Card editor@solar.org.au nicola@solar.org.au CONTRIBUTORS: Jim Chisholm, John Connor, Rob Edwards, EnergyAustralia, Maja Gajic, Warwick Johnston, Tim Latimer, James Martin, Penny Parle, Jeff Sommerfeld. DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Mitzi Mann

Solar & Storage (Solar Progress) was first published in 1980. The magazine aims to provide readers with an in-depth review of technologies, policies and progress towards a society which sources energy from the sun rather than fossil fuels. Except where specifically stated, the opinions and material published in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council. Although every effort is made to check the authenticity and accuracy of articles, neither the Solar Council nor the editors are responsible for any inaccuracy. Solar & Storage is published quarterly. www.solar.org.au

Welcome

John Grimes Chief Executive, Australian Solar Council and Energy Storage Council

IN EARLY 2017 we sit at the cusp of a massive transformation of the energy sector. Solar PV has already made stunning advances, and prices continue to fall. Actually solar PV projects continue to win contracts across the world at prices lower than any other form of energy (including wind). At the same time battery storage prices are tumbling as electric vehicle numbers ramp up.

And policy makers are waking up to the fantastic potential of large scale pumped hydro storage. Cheaper solar PV and energy storage are happening at a very exciting time. A time when information technology and energy are coming together like never before. Smart energy systems that optimise energy use, aggregate customers into ‘virtual power plants’, and provide the trusted billing platform for peer-to-peer trading. The next 10 years are going to be absolutely transformative, and by 2027 smart energy will be widespread. Clean, abundant, dispatchable energy will become a reality. Economics, and the power of the market are going to shift. The first half of 2017 marks the turning point. So strap in for the ride. As an aside – markets are built on confidence. The carbon market maintains confidence by telling people it is here to stay for decades to come. Actually, not true. I reckon it’s time to drop your carbon stock before the bubble bursts. I have.

Guest Foreword RENEWABLE ENERGY is currently being used as a In other words, people view solar and political football in Australia, aimed at scoring other renewable energy as not only a goals in a national political and cultural battle significant energy solution, but also as an over ideology. economic pathway to national prosperity. In this latest bout, solar and wind have been And they are not alone. According accused of everything from causing blackouts, to to the International Renewable Energy skyrocketing the costs of household power, to – Agency (IRENA), solar power installed ironically – being a mythological and ideological globally grew more than five-fold in the tool of the climate-catastrophising “green left”. five years to 2015. The International Yet The Climate Institute’s annual Australia-wide Energy Agency (IEA) predicts solar will be Climate of the Nation attitudinal research shows the largest source of electricity globally by that Australians are not falling for it. In 2016, we mid century. found that 77 per cent of Australians considered Of course, critics are correct when they that climate change was occurring, 60 per cent say intermittency and storage are issues – thought it was due to human activity, while threecurrently. Yet technology is developing at quarters saw ignoring it as increasing the risk of an astonishing rate, including advances in the situation getting worse. batteries, while investor and community Importantly, 73 per cent of people thought that action is well under way and will continue tackling climate change creates opportunities for until a long term stable national plan for John Connor, CEO, The Climate Institute new jobs and investment in clean energy, while 61 modernising and decarbonising our energy per cent felt a failure to take action will result in future system by 2050 is in place. shocks to jobs, electricity prices and energy security. When asked to rank What all this says is that the growth in the renewable energy sector will their top three preferred sources of energy, tellingly, 70 per cent included continue afoot long after the theatre of current scare campaigns expire, wind and a soaring 86 per cent included solar. and that the future for solar is very bright.

2 AUTUMN 2017

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Local and global NEWS Cheap, stable, zero-emissions network, Yes we can: ANU research shows an affordable and secure electricity network can be developed in Australia using 100 per cent renewable energy. The zero emissions grid would run on readily available solar and wind technology along with pumped hydro storage, removing the need for coal and gas fired power. Lead report author Professor Andrew Blakers said energy costs would decline from $93 per MWh in 2016 to $75 MWh from 2020 and New storage technologies and calculations reveal that with even a “modest amount pumped hydro use renewable energy of storage” and increased interconnectors, “energy generated during daytime to pump water to a dam which is channelled stability can match anything coal and gas can deliver”. into turbines at night. Blakers however concedes bipartisan support for energy policy is necessary for the highly feasible vision to materialise. ARENA pumped $450,000 into the ANU study.

PV installations soar: During February 1.52 million small-scale technology certificates were created representing 12,405 solar PV systems, 4,616 SWH systems and 72.8 MW of capacity. The 2.98 million STCs created in the first two months of 2017 contrast well with the 2.25 million generated in early 2016. Year-to-date average STC creation now stands at 347,000, substantially above 2016 levels. The Green Energy Markets report also revealed commercial-scale capacity represented 26.7 per cent of February’s total. February PV installations are believed to be the second best since 2013 (after December 2016).

the opening of the 13 MW Mugga Lane Solar Park in the ACT. Generating energy for ActewAGL’s distribution network, it features a combination of Single Axis tracking and ground mounted solar arrays housing more than 53,000 solar PV panels. Opened by ASC Patron Simon Corbell the park is the second of ACT’s large-scale reverse auction process to be commissioned.

fallen 58 per cent in the five years to 2015 and are expected to continue to fall by a further 40-70 per cent by 2040. The levelised cost of electricity from renewable energy has reached grid competitiveness and in many countries undercuts all other sources of new generating capacity. A record $US29.10 per MWh for a solar plant was recently set in Chile and record low bids for power from large-scale solar plants include: Dubai $US58.5/MWh; Peru $US 48/MWh; Mexico $US 45/MWh and in the US $US36-60/ MWh. Falling costs for large-scale solar PV means solar power is cheaper than new coal plants, and is increasingly competitive with wind.

Australian Solar and Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition 2017

May 3 and 4, 2017 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Switched on: The first day of Autumn marked

4 AUTUMN 2017

Latest data from Australia’s National Greenhouse & Energy Reporting Scheme reveals pollution is up by 3.4 per cent since 2015 and has soared 7.5 per cent since the carbon price was ditched. As noted by the Australian Conservation Foundation “there is little incentive for big polluters to clean up their acts when they have a free ride to pollute”. Indeed: pollution levels in Australia’s electricity sector, which generates about 35 per cent of emissions, rose 2.6 per cent on 2015 levels.

Good news: Solar costs have

Solar on a roll:

In 2015, Australia just made it onto the list of top ten countries for total solar capacity (in tenth place behind India and the UK). Australia’s total solar PV capacity is 5.44 GW across 1.58 million installations, the equivalent of more than one solar panel per person. In 2014-2015 there were >8,000 jobs in solar in Australia, with solar PV making up 53 per cent of renewable energy jobs. Large-scale solar PV takes off this year with more than 20 projects totaling >1 GW of capacity likely to reach financial close. All up 3.7 GW of large-scale solar is in the pipeline. Read more from the Climate Council’s State of Solar 2016 on page 14.

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Local and global NEWS Island paradise: Batteries to store energy are being

Solar forecast: Vaisala’s new ready-to-install solar SP-12 Solar Weather Station provides all instrumentation required by solar project developers, operators and their engineering teams for best practice resource assessment and monitoring. Available in multiple configurations, it measures the full range of environmental parameters that affect solar project performance. www.forms.vaisala.com/solar-tools.

In case you missed it: • Clive Hamilton has resigned from the Climate Change Authority, saying it “no longer has any role in the development of climate change policy in Australia” and describing government plans to boost coal power “perverse” given the year just passed was the hottest year on record. • The AIG, Business Council of Australia and ACTU recommend carbon emissions be priced in order to address the nation’s energy crisis. • Australian health insurer HCF is divesting fossil fuel stock because it cannot fund activities that potentially threaten its members’ health.

25th birthday celebrations: Solar pioneer Fronius turns 25 this year and is marking the milestone with “an array of solar technology” by expanding its product portfolio. New additions will include intelligent additional options in the Fronius Solar.web online portal as well as module electronics solutions. Founded in 1992 the company’s tagline “24 hours of sun” fits with its vision for 100 per cent of energy needs being met by renewable energy sources.

Solar & Storage is printed by Printgraphics whose green credentials include:

6 AUTUMN 2017

installed by homeowners across Hawaii’s idyllic islands enabling solar households to self-consume and to smooth large amounts of solar generation on the grid. The islands are tracking toward 100 per cent renewable energy by 2045 and a big part of the plan entails a scheme to manage the influx of solar generation at midday through commercial storage with minimal cost to utilities and ratepayers. Someone recently commented “Commercial storage is an industry that is just squeaking into existence”; however we say all signs show storage is roaring into action …

Yes to renewables:

A recent Essential Research poll found that almost two out of three people agree that more renewable energy is the solution to future energy needs, and a similar amount approve of Labor’s 50 per cent renewable energy target; just 18 per cent disapprove. Six in ten surveyed agree that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity; and 45 per cent believe that blackouts are due mainly to failures of the energy market in responding to extreme weather events (but 16 per cent still think they are a result of too much reliance on renewable energy). Although 45 per cent oppose building new coal fired power stations in Australia, a worrying 31 per cent actually support this.

GCL partnership in Vietnam:

Chinese solar giant GCL Poly, which last year successfully launched its lightweight home storage battery on the Australian market, recently invested in 600 MW of cell capacity in Vietnam through a partnership with Vietnamese maker Vina Solar. Up to 330 MW of the capacity will be for passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) high-efficiency PV cells. GCL says the move was important for growing its presence in the US and Europe and helps contain costs of cell manufacturing. In recent years JinkoSolar, Trina and others have set up production in Vietnam or Thailand.

Coal to go:

The Climate Council factsheet on Clean Coal states new coal fired plants would ultimately be more expensive than renewables and carry a huge liability through the carbon emissions they produce. Coal plants are largely considered uninvestable and are shutting down across the world, yet the Prime Minister continues to promote "reliable base load power with state-of-the-art, clean coal-fired technology". As the Greens say: taking money out of renewables and giving it to the coal industry is like trying to deal with the rise of the internet by subsidising the fax machine industry.

Better has never been so easy Microinverters

Monitoring

Batteries

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Watershed year for solar and storage Barcaldine Solar Farm. Image courtesy CEFC

Renewables are fast laying the foundation for reliable, secure, emissions free energy that will be generated more cheaply than any other type of energy. Here we look at some of the major advances and expectations.

ENERGY SOURCES have generated significant

Solar Show in Melbourne in early May, enabling

media and political attention, with the usual

the storage industry to plan for the future with

suspects continuing to demonise renewables

greater confidence.

and promote ‘clean coal’. But all signs are that their voices are fading against the ever-growing groundswell of support for clean energy across the community and business groups, investors, energy retailers and more. At the same time the renewables industry continues to strengthen and the reality is this promises to be a stellar year for solar and storage. Solar and Energy Storage Council chief executive John Grimes believes the first half of 2017 marks the turning point, with cheaper PV and energy storage systems appealing to more consumers than ever before. He also says the next ten years will be “transformative” and that by 2027 smart energy will be widespread. His views are supported by the numbers: as costs decline, battery storage installations will rise with more than 21,000 installations projected this year and according to the Climate Council around 1.1 million homes will have battery storage connected to their solar PV systems by 2035. The sophistication of energy storage systems connected to smart meters

John Grimes also observes that policy makers are now “waking up to” the massive potential of large scale pumped hydro storage. The Prime Minister – who otherwise continues to demonise clean energy and state renewable targets – recently declared “Energy storage, long neglected in Australia, will be a priority this year [and] large-scale storage will support variable renewables like wind and solar. It will get more value out of existing baseload generation and it will enhance grid stability. We’re going to get on with it.” New ARENA and CEFC funding rounds have been announced for large-scale energy storage demonstration projects, including pumped hydro, and Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s review of the energy market (to be delivered later this year) has been asked to advise on the role of storage and pumped hydro in stabilising the grid. The prospect of pumped hydro storage has

is undoubtedly playing a large part in today’s

appeared on the radar thanks to the ARENA

uptake and appeal.

funded pumped hydro resource mapping study

Energy Networks Australia which represents

led by ANU Professor Andrew Bakers who has

Australia’s electricity transmission and gas

“Energy

long maintained a cheap stable zero emissions

distribution networks issued The Network

network can be built by tapping into pumped

stability

Transformation Roadmap that found by 2050,

hydro with storage, removing the need for coal

more than 10 million Australian customers

and gas fired power. Better still energy costs

from

could also own solar and storage systems and

would decline from $93 per MWh in 2016 to

pumped

sell services worth $2.5 billion annually to the

$75 MWh from 2020. “Energy stability from

grid. In turn by paying customers to use their

pumped hydro and storage can match anything

hydro and

distributed energy resources, energy networks

coal and gas can deliver,” he says.

can avoid $16 billion in network infrastructure

storage

The future of pumped hydro power may

investment and reduce network charges by 30

not be too far off, developments are already

per cent. If ever there was an incentive …

underway in Queensland where the Kidston solar

can match

8 AUTUMN 2017

Pumped hydro and storage capabilities

To find out more about the dynamics

and pumped hydro project demonstration is

anything

underlying the growth of the storage market,

assessing the potential of combining large-scale

coal and

the Energy Storage Council is conducting a

solar and energy storage technologies.

comprehensive industry survey encompassing

Meantime EnergyAustralia is conducting a

gas can

inverter and battery makers and suppliers along

feasibility study on pumped hydro and storage

deliver.”

with software innovators and suppliers. Findings

in South Australia and has mooted the potential

of this important survey will be revealed at the

for 100 MW of capacity and between six and

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“The next ten years will be transformative and by 2027 smart energy will be widespread.” eight hours’ storage which would equate to 60,000 home battery storage systems but at a fraction – one-third – of the cost.

Large-scale developments The potential for solar combined with large-scale storage is now being recognised with the Victorian Government seeking expressions of interest for a large-scale 20 MW battery storage facility in western Victoria to improve grid stability, and ARENA is funding the Lakeland solar farm and Kennedy energy park that combine wind or solar energy with battery storage. Large scale solar comes into its own this year with enough solar to power 22 large renewable energy projects in the pipeline, adding 3700 MW and worth about $5 billion. Of these, 12 are part funded by ARENA.

The myth of ‘clean coal’ Which brings us to the oxymoron of ‘clean coal’ or more specifically “state-of-the-art clean coal-fired technology” baseload power spruiked by the Coalition. The harsh reality is new (‘clean’) black coal plants generate in the region of 0.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide per MWh which is just 10 to 25 per cent less than existing plants. New brown-coal plants in Victoria and South Australia would produce an emissions rate of 0.93 which is greater than some of today’s black coal plants. Then there is the matter of carbon capture which costs from $5 to as much as $70 a tonne and comes with damaging long-term consequences. Bloomberg New Energy Finance analysis finds this type of plant is the priciest and dirtiest source of mainstream electricity supply available, costing over their lifetime a minimum $134 MWh and possibly as much as $203 MWh. A rather unfavourable comparison to large-scale solar priced at between $78-$140 MWh or much less as now being seen across the globe. “New coal is not cheap, it’s inflexible and unnecessary and it’s certainly not clean,” BNEF Australia chief Kobad Bhavnagri said. “It’s impossible to imagine a private market participant investing in such a project.” Turning a blind eye to the economics and environment the government

The developments are good news in terms of employment and emissions

has flagged subsidies for greenhouse gas emitting ‘clean coal’ energy

reductions, and inject greater confidence in the sector.

plants and diversion of CEFC funds into the industry despite Section 62

Developers of large-scale solar plants say today’s economics already stack up nicely: the price of PV is falling, other input prices are falling, interest rates are low, and future energy and LGC prices remain high. Developers can also tap into readily available products and technology. Across the globe the cost of solar is reaching new lows; a record $US29.10/MWh for a solar plant was recently set in Chile and other low bids include Dubai $US58.5/MWh; Peru $US48/MWh; Mexico $US45/ MWh and in the US $US36-60/MWh. Falling costs for large-scale solar PV means solar power is cheaper than new coal plants.

of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act prohibiting investment of its funds in carbon capture and storage. The move would also contradict the 2015 Paris climate deal that requires developed countries to have phased out coal generation by 2035, and a similarly worded OECD agreement. The Climate Council factsheet on Clean Coal notes “New coal plants would ultimately be more expensive than renewables and carry a huge liability through the carbon emissions they produce,” and points out that even the Australian Energy Council regards coal plants as uninvestable. Banks and investment funds are not interested. In an unprecedented move a diverse array of business groups,

Breakthrough developments

environmentalists and electricity suppliers have called for sensible energy

This year is shaping up to be a watershed year for solar and storage: • CEFC has committed $150 million in debt financing to three largescale solar projects; its most substantial commitment to date in the sector. • CEFC’s first equity stake in a solar farm is $20 million in the $225 million Ross River Solar Farm • EnergyAustralia which recently signed an agreement over the 142 MW Ross River Solar Farm; has announced a multi million dollar pumped-hydro project; and in all is committing $1.5 billion to help solar and wind energy projects get off the ground. • Victoria’s first large-scale solar project is the 60 MW Gannawarra Solar Farm and EnergyAustralia has signed a longterm agreement to buy all the electricity generated by that farm. • The Victorian government has announced plans to build the nation’s largest battery, a 20 MW proposal. • Australia’s dirtiest coal fired power station, Hazelwood, is soon closing its doors. • Health insurer HCF is divesting its fossil fuel stock which potentially threatens health. … Just some of the many signs that renewable energy is now gaining a firmer footing.

reform. The Australian Industry Group, the Australian Energy Council,

10 AUTUMN 2017

the Climate Institute, the St Vincent de Paul Society, Business Council of Australia, Australian Aluminium Council, Australian Conservation Foundation, the Australian Council of Social Services and the Australian Council of Trade Unions joined forces to deliver the powerful message. Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox summed up by stating “We need both long-term reform for a market that delivers affordable, reliable and clean energy, and urgent shorter term measures.”

Metamorphosis The tide is turning; supporters of old polluting technologies are few and far between. Australia’s major energy companies are not interested in investing in new coal plants; nine ‘old’ coal plants have closed in recent years and doors soon shut on Hazelwood, Australia’s dirtiest plant. CEFC’s report to the Finkel review stated policies to drive the longterm transition must be bankable and that new fossil-fuel generation in Australia would be unlikely to find private sector finance at an acceptable cost. “The whole world is moving away from coal” the Climate Council factsheet states. “They are shutting down existing coal-fired power stations, and embracing renewable energy.”

AUSTRALIAN Solar and Energy Storage Exhibition & Conference 2017 Australia’s peak industry event for solar and smart energy storage takes place at Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre on WEDNESDAY MAY 3 and THURSDAY MAY 4 “[This Show is]

the single most effective means of getting our name known to the industry and connecting with the business people we need to.” 2016 EXHIBITOR AND SPEAKER

E E FR O T ND TE T A

SOLAR AND ENERGY STORAGE CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2017 5000 solar and storage enthusiasts expected to attend 150 local and international speakers 105 industry sponsors and exhibitors 120 CPD points on offer $0 entry cost VISIT THE EXPERT EXHIBITORS: Panel manufacturers; designers of smart inverters and energy management systems, battery makers and importers, solar hot water systems, solar trackers and racking, accessories and appliances. Meet specialists in energy efficiency and lighting, environmental certificates, solar finance and industry data collection. All the big names, emerging names, innovators, entrepreneurs and specialists in the one large exhibition hall.

55TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE Proudly brought to you by the Australian Solar Council and the Energy Storage Council

Among the line-up of high-calibre guest speakers

Applied Energy Storage HOT topics: Technology

Josh Frydenberg, Federal Minister for the Environment (invited)

Policy and Market, and Professional Development are designed to present the latest in technology, policy, projects, regulations, industry analysis and forecasts and project financing

breakthroughs • Smart energy business models • Energy storage: real-world data • Battery testing performance results • Microgrids and fringe-of-grids • Internet of Things and big data • Making commercial solar and energy storage work • Energy management ‘bringing it all together’

Hon. Mark Butler, Federal Shadow Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water

Policy and Market HOT topics: State and federal government policy • Unlocking project finance • Large scale solar and storage • Energy market reform • Global developments

OUR 2017 SPONSORS ARE: Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Event Partners Conference Day Sponsors

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The show attracts PV Installers (commercial, residential, large scale), policy makers, builders, electricians and electrical engineers, as well as students, architects, trainers, consultants, bureaucrats, local and global renewable energy specialists, industry thought leaders and the media.

“THE SOLAR AND ENERGY STORAGE SHOW presents a great opportunity for delegates to expand their network, meet key industry decision makers and find new clients. Because we are industry insiders, we bring together the very best conference presenters. We know what is topical, engaging, and useful for our delegates. We are committed to the best solar installer professional development training available anywhere in the world.” SOLAR COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE JOHN GRIMES

Lily D’Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change

Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne (invited)

Lenore Taylor, Editor, The Guardian (invited)

Glen Morris, Vice-President, Australian Solar and Energy Storage Council

Anna Rose, Australian Author and Environmentalist

Taking part in the Solar and Storage Show If you have not yet reserved exhibition space or would like to be a sponsor contact Brett Thompson, brett@solar.org.au or 0402 181 250

CLIMATE COUNCIL STATE OF SOLAR

The Sunny state of Solar THE CLIMATE COUNCIL’S State of Solar 2016 presented an array of good news: solar power is booming in Australia and around the world; costs have reduced by as much as 60 per cent in just five years and large scale solar now costs less than new coal or nuclear power. State of Solar 2016 finds this year will be significant for solar with the development of 20 large-scale plants with an additional 3700 MW in the pipeline; enough to power 600,000 homes.

Key findings: ONE Globally, solar PV power is surging on the back of scaled-up production and continually falling costs. Breaking 2015’s record of 50 GW added capacity, in 2016 across the globe more than 70 GW of new solar power capacity was added in 2016, led by China (34.2 GW), the United States

(13 GW) and Japan (10.5 GW). The solar sector employs  2.8 million people globally, outnumbering coal jobs. In the US, solar now provides twice as many jobs as coal.

TWO Solar costs are now so low that largescale solar plants are providing cheaper power than new fossil and nuclear power in many countries. Solar costs have dropped 58 per cent in five years and are expected to continue to fall by a further 40–70 per cent by 2040. Electricity prices from new coal fired power stations could rise to A$160 per megawatt hour, while solar parks are around $110 MWh and are expected to reduce significantly in price over time.

THREE Australia remains a world leader in household solar. The cost of solar power is now well below the retail power prices in Australian capital cities, and continues to fall. (The exception is the ACT which has the lowest

retail prices in Australia.) Australia adds more solar power every year than the combined capacity of South Australia’s recently closed Northern and Playford coal-fired power stations. More than 8,000 Australians are now employed in solar with solar PV making up 53 per cent of renewable energy jobs.

FOUR 2017 will be a huge year for largescale solar in Australia. Large-scale solar PV installations are already taking off in Australia in airports, mines, healthcare facilities and businesses. In 2017 more than 20 new large-scale solar projects will come online. A further 3700 MW of large-scale solar is in the development pipeline (roughly equivalent to three coal-fired power stations). Australia is expected to reach more than 20 GW of solar PV in the next 20 years, equivalent to about a third of Australia’s current total power generation capacity of 63 GW. FIVE A range of energy storage technologies will complement the growth of solar power providing secure, flexible power. Solar and battery storage for households and businesses is already gaining traction in Australia, with >6500 households installing the technology. Uptake is expected to triple in 2017. Large-scale developments such as the Lakeland solar and battery storage project and the Kidston solar and pumped hydro project demonstrate the potential of combining large-scale solar and energy storage technologies. Meantime the Victorian Government is seeking expressions of interest to build a large-scale battery storage facility in western Victoria to improve grid stability.

More highlights:

Global Solar statistics from the State of Solar 2016 report. Sources: IRENA 2016a,b; REN21 2016; SEIA 2016; BNEF 2017a.

14 AUTUMN 2017

• In 2016, global investment in solar PV fell despite record installations, reflecting the falling cost of the technology. • Queensland and South Australia continue to lead the states for the greatest proportion of solar households • The 56 MW Moree Solar plant in NSW was Australia’s largest solar PV installation of 2016. • 2017 will see a big boost in large-scale solar projects.   http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/solar-report

Storage growth spurt The home energy storage industry is relatively embryonic but set for fast growth this year and in the coming years. It is estimated that by 2035, around 1.1 million homes in Australia will have battery storage systems and numbers leapfrog to 10 million by 2050. Back to today: we talked to a Canberra resident who recently installed storage and is finding it ticks all the boxes for performance and expectations, and is generating lots of energy as well as lots of local interest.

MEET SOPHIE JENSEN, working mother of

at 315 W; Inverter: SolarEdge SE6000; Single

eleven-year-old Huxley and seven-year-old Pipit

Phase grid supply; DC coupled solar; Smart

who share a keen interest in household energy

HEMS: Reposit RP115 metering, Reposit box

consumption and conservation. So, while many

Battery: 1 x Tesla Powerwall 6.4kW (selected for

kids of their age are playing games on their

its scalability); System designer and installer:

Nintendo Wii or Sony PlayStation, the Jensen

SolarHub; Average yields vs demand: 18kWh/

juniors instead tune in to smart energy software

day vs 10kWh / day (high shade area, using

data on their smart phones, checking the home’s

SolarEdge technology).

energy consumption and battery charge. And enjoying every moment. When the Jensen family moved into their new

a brain that ensures that the solar, appliances

there was never any doubt that a solar system

and storage work together” by understanding

would be added. Environmental enthusiasts

consumer electricity usage patterns, gathering

Sophie and her husband had a rooftop PV at their

weather predictions and monitoring the

home on a hobby farm 45 minutes from Canberra

wholesale market to ensure users get the most

and reaped the rewards of home energy coupled

out of their system. And Reposit’s energy

with the then generous NSW feed-in tariff, paying

management app shows percentage of battery

off the solar system “incredibly quickly”, however

charge, estimated solar generation, costs and

finances were not the driver.

even greenhouse emissions.

“Back then we did not have storage and

The simplicity in checking real time use on

had little awareness of our patterns of energy

smart phones and other wifi enabled devices

consumption,” said Sophie, now a widow who

is part of the reason the Jensen’s today are

works full time as a curator in Canberra while the

particularly energy conscious. “All the information is in easy-to-read colourful

we use most of our power when home mid

charts and graphs and the system sends

afternoon, that’s why getting a battery storage

prompters if there is spare energy which is very

system was so important.”

useful,” Sophie commented. “That’s why the

She engaged Canberra based SolarHub to

kids as well are such keen and active users of the

design the system before choosing the best

reports, seeing what we are using … it’s actually

configuration, opting for a “slightly more

fun playing with the systems and watching how

expensive system that enabled panels to operate

the battery behaves.

independently of each other for optimum

16 AUTUMN 2017

Reposit’s specialised software is described “like

home in inner north Canberra three years ago

kids are at school. “Like most working families

Pictured above: The right choices for the right reasons – the Jensen family’s solar and storage system is serving them well

Balance in favour

“During one hot spell in Canberra I was running

production” and the system completed in late

the air conditioning and 11-year-old Huxley told

August last year comprises: Rooftop Solar

me I was draining the battery! They are over

system: 5.67 kW comprising 18 LG Neon panels

conscientious,” the proud mum said. “When we

No time for Mine craft or NBA basketball on the smart phone, instead Huxley keeps a keen eye on household energy use, checking the impact of the dishwasher, washing machine and air conditioning on the battery charge.

“I want my kids and the next generations to have a decent future, one that is less impacted by [the ravages] of climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels.” moved in it was Huxley (named after the scientist), then aged just seven, who suggested we install a solar system. He said the house did not feel like a home unless it had a solar system!” Because the battery generates a low hum they opted to install it on an external garage wall and find that friends and family are extremely interested in seeing and hearing about the battery’s performance and the impact on energy use. The Jensens are succeeding in their bid to fill and discharge the battery each day to avoid importing power from the grid; with household use coming in at around 10 kWh per day on the system generating 18 kWh, about 8 kWh is exported to the grid earning credits of 7.5 cents per kWh as illustrated by Reposit’s smart system.

Serious storage progress Battery storage installations across Australia will increase rapidly on the back of high power prices, changing retail tariffs and falling battery costs. Elsewhere in this magazine we report on the trebling of battery market in 2017 to more than 21,000, with 15 in 100 new solar installations opting for energy storage, and (another) seven in ten with solar wanting to add a battery to their existing solar system. By 2035, around 1.1 million homes will have battery storage connected to their solar PV systems. The Energy Network Australia’s Network Transformation Roadmap recently found that by 2050, more than 10 million Australian customers could also own solar and storage and sell services to the grid. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) REthinking Energy states “new ways to store electricity will be a game changer for growing variable renewable energy generation”. Battery storage for electricity could increase from less than 1 GW today to 250 GW by 2030. BNEF likewise forecasts a growth spurt for batteries and smart meters with year-on-year global commissioned capacity addition likely to double from 700 MW (in 2016) to 1.5 GW, almost all of it lithium-ion batteries. Battery prices have plummeted 70 per cent in five years and will drop at least 15 per cent this year. Last year a record $14.4 billion was invested worldwide in smart meters, well up on the $8.8 billion of 2015. But wait, there’s more: the market for smart meters could hit $19 billion in 2017.

18 AUTUMN 2017

Positive results Monitoring by Canberra based Installer SolarHub revealed 287.82 kWh was generated from February 1 to 17 and all up the system which fired up on 4 September 2016 had produced 3.73 MWh to February 17. SolarHub Director Florian Geier added that ACT’s feed in tariff prior to 2013 was 50.5 c/kWh before being reduced twice and today it stands at 7.5 c/kWh, just enough to put the Jensens in credit. They have been through just two power billing cycles, both positive but Sophie concedes that could change during Canberra’s short cold winter days when they switch on the electric heating system. “My ideal is to be completely independent and off the grid,” Sophie said. “That would only be possible if the battery storage options improve, that is they held more charge.“

Environmental imperatives Sophie believes there is a subtle but serious shift underway saying those with a greater environmental awareness and in a higher socio-economic demographic, which takes in many in her area, can afford to and do invest in solar. Also “Government support especially for small-scale solar producers is really diminishing and so now in the absence of incentives people with solar systems are much more focused on their own consumption. “But as a family we are ethically and environmentally driven, that was the primary reason we installed solar with storage. It is all about sustainability not finance. I want the kids and the next generations to have a decent future, one that is less impacted by [the ravages] of climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels. “The biggest environmental contribution we can make is by adapting our own behaviours and I like to think I’m raising thoughtful and responsible consumers. I also believe that those who can afford a solar and storage system are all but obliged to install one.” What about an electric vehicle down the track? “Definitely on the agenda, we will look at that in about five years.” Let’s think … Huxley will be 16 years old by then, and quite likely busy checking EV performance ratings and specifications to determine which suits best for his L plates.

STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE ICECAP. RELIABLE ENOUGH FOR AUSTRALIA.

It’s no wonder scientists on the frigid icecaps of Greenland trust SunPower® solar technology to power their research. Rated number-one for durability by solar experts,1 SunPower panels deliver massive power in the most punishing conditions around the world—including cyclone-force winds and the harsh heat of the Aussie sun. Homeowners and businesses across Australia know that SunPower panels produce 70% more energy over 25 years in the same space as conventional ones.2 And that means greater savings over time, all with the industry’s best 25-year Combined Power and Product Warranty. For over 30 years, we’ve been demanding more of ourselves so you can have the very best. To learn more, go to www.sunpower.com.au or call 1-800-SUNPOWER. 1 Fraunhofer PV Durability Initiative for Solar Modules: Part 2”. Photovoltaics International, 2014. 2 SunPower 345W compared to a Conventional Panel (250W, 15.3% efficient, approx. 1.6 m2), 9% more energy per watt. BEW/DNV Engineering “SunPower Yield Report,” 2013 with CFV Solar Test Lab Report #12063, temp. coef. calculation © 2016 SunPower Corporation. All Rights Reserved. SUNPOWER, the SUNPOWER logo and DEMAND BETTER SOLAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunPower Corporation in the U.S. and other countries as well.

“The way energy is generated, delivered and used has to change, and the solution to high prices lies in the transition to renewables.” Catherine Tanna, EnergyAustralia

Lighting the way to a clean energy future In recent months EnergyAustralia has forged ahead with its $1.5 billion program to buy around 500 MW of power from renewable projects across eastern Australia, and has signed what is believed the largest deal of its type to date in Australia: a 13-year power purchase agreement for the 142 MW Ross River solar farm. We invited this major energy retailer to tell us more about its transition towards renewables and its focus on delivering what customers want.

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED AND TIMELY MOVE,

want control of their energy use; they want to

EnergyAustralia recently published a statement

choose their energy mix – whether that’s coal,

about the business it aspires to be, and all

gas, wind or solar – and decide how much

signs are that the retailer is steering an agenda

they consume. It’s our job to help families and

that addresses the energy trifecta of customer

businesses make decisions that are right for

choice, climate mitigation and security of

them.”

supply. In the open letter in national and major metropolitan papers Managing Director

EnergyAustralia has already sealed a series of

Catherine Tanna stated “We believe all

agreements in its $1.5 billion commitment to

Australians should have reliable, affordable

support new wind and solar projects across

energy. However, the way we generate,

eastern Australia; the company has announced

deliver and use energy has to change, and I’m

studies into innovative technologies including

determined EnergyAustralia will live up to its

seawater pumped hydro and energy recovery;

responsibility.”

and is preparing to launch a new solar inverter

A few days later EnergyAustralia went even further, launching its new brand-positioning

EnergyAustralia announced a $9.3 million investment in the Australian-based Redback

print, outdoor, digital and social media. Sixty-

in October last year, the first made by the

second television commercials highlighted the

company’s NextGen business unit.

power of human ingenuity to create a better EnergyAustralia’s commitment to ‘Light

The Redback Smart Hybrid – combining a smart solar inverter, battery enclosure and intelligent energy management software into

the way’ is more than a tagline; it’s also a

a seamless package – taps into the desire

commitment to lead the industry and work with

customers have to take control. With a Redback

customers towards better energy use, even if it

system, they get to decide how they use, save

means they use less of it.

and even sell energy captured from their roof-

“EnergyAustralia is designing a business that

20 AUTUMN 2017

system with partner Redback Technologies.

campaign ‘Light the way’ across television,

energy future.

Pictured above: EnergyAustralia managing director Catherine Tanna

Investments in clean energy

top solar panels.

delivers reliable, affordable and cleaner energy

Later this year, EnergyAustralia intends to

with the customer in the control seat,” Tanna

release the second generation Redback Smart

said. “We’re finding that increasingly people

Hybrid for sale to customers. (See box for more

information on the EnergyAustralia Redback Technologies partnership.) The Redback system will occupy an important place in the EnergyAustralia product suite, as the Go Neutral offer does right now.

Carbon neutral option Go Neutral allows existing residential customers to offset all the carbon emissions associated with their electricity usage at no cost to them, and activated by the click of a mouse. EnergyAustralia also put out the call for customers to join its new Brighter Council, a community in which members get to trial new and innovative energy products in their own home. The idea is to gather feedback to help create and shape new energy ideas and solutions before they’re launched to the rest of Australia. “We’re providing customers opportunities to keep energy costs down, and at a personal level, the ability for families and businesses to be part of the transition to a cleaner energy future,” Tanna said.

Setting foundations

Large-scale solar

Meanwhile, 2017 looms as a pivotal year for Australia’s energy and climate change policy development. EnergyAustralia maintains future energy policy requires a stable, national approach that clearly integrates the challenges of affordability, emissions reductions and reliability, and Catherine Tanna says any approach needs to start by considering impacts on the customer. “We support action that addresses climate change at the lowest cost to customers while maintaining reliability of supply. We believe that the best policy framework is one that is national, integrated across carbon and energy policy, technology neutral and durable.” As one of the country’s biggest generators of power from fossil fuels – EnergyAustralia operates the Mount Piper power coal power plant in NSW and the Yallourn brown coal plant which supplies about a fifth of Victoria's power – EnergyAustralia has made itself responsible for providing affordable, clean energy for all.

The company has moved swiftly on its $1.5 billion program to buy around 500 MW of power from new wind and solar energy projects across eastern Australia. In December EnergyAustralia secured a power purchase agreement for all the electricity produced by a 48.5 MW solar farm at Manildra in regional New South Wales. A second announcement followed in February 2017: an agreement over one of Australia’s largest solar projects, the proposed 142 MW capacity Ross River Solar Farm in Queensland. That same month, EnergyAustralia announced it had signed a long-term agreement to buy all the electricity generated by what will become Victoria’s first large scale solar project. Upon completion, the Gannawarra Solar Farm will have nameplate generation capacity of around 60 MW and will produce enough emissions-free, renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of over 25,000 Victorian homes. EnergyAustralia has since signed a long-term

EnergyAustralia’s partnership with Australian-based Redback Technologies

agreement to buy 60 per cent of the renewable

Well known solar inverter system developer Redback Technologies has been busy developing enabling technology that allows the grid of the future to take form through integrated hardware and software technologies that capture, store and manage solar energy. In October last year, EnergyAustralia announced a $9.3 million partnership with Redback, which is an example of how EnergyAustralia is investing in the development of reliable, affordable and cleaner technology which puts the customer in control of their energy consumption. The Redback Smart Hybrid Solar Inverter System combines a smart solar inverter, battery enclosure and intelligent energy management software into a seamless package, enabling customers to manage their energy consumption, save money, and reduce their carbon footprint. Andrew Perry, EnergyAustralia Executive – NextGen, said EnergyAustralia is proud to be partnering with a company that’s driving Australian innovation in a way that’s good for customers and good for the environment. “We know electricity costs are a concern for many local households. With the Redback Smart Hybrid customers can use their smart

113 MW capacity project will produce enough

energy generated from the future Bodangora Wind Farm in New South Wales. The 33-turbine emissions-free, renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of more than 64,000 households. All of these actions complement the company’s existing renewable energy program, with the rights to more than 460 MW of electricity from wind farms in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

EnergyAustralia NextGen executive Andrew Perry (pictured left) sealed the deal with Redback’s Phil Livingston.

Pumped hydro storage

phones to monitor their solar energy, they can schedule major appliances including electric hot-water systems, air-conditioners or even pool pumps to run when there is excess solar power available. It means households don’t have to draw more expensive energy from the grid during peak times. “Our partnership with Redback Technologies is about helping great Australian ideas and innovation get to market,” Andrew Perry said. EnergyAustralia in partnership with Redback Technologies plan to make the second generation Redback Smart Hybrid available for customers in the first half of 2017.

hydro storage in the Spencer Gulf of South

Then there’s the feasibility study of pumped Australia with partners Arup Group and Melbourne Energy Institute. As an example of the project’s potential, a development with 100 MW of capacity and six-to-eight hours of storage would be like installing 60,000 home battery storage systems, but at one-third of the cost. While talking about what’s to come is taking EnergyAustralia out of its comfort zone, the company is wasting little time making its aspiration a reality. “We’re backing up our clean energy ambition with action. The sector is changing and energy companies need to do more than just adapt; it’s our responsibility to lead the way,” Tanna said.

Solar & Storage 21

PV in Australia and climate changes NT 10.0% QLD 30.4%

Australian PV

WA 23.8%

(Dec 2016)

> 1.58 million PV installations > 5.44 GW: combined capacity

SA 29.5%

Percentage of dwellings with PV Australia 2016: fourth-warmest year on record

NSW 14.6% VIC 14.7% TAS 12.7%

Source: Australian PV Institute

Pollution rises 2016 0.87°C above average: annual mean temperature* 0.73°C a bove average: ocean surface temperature warmest on record

17% a bove average: national rainfall (544.99mm vs 465.2mm average 1961–1990) *Compared to 1961-1990 Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Up 0.8%: Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions

Up 1.2%: electricity emissions

Source: Climate Council

ACT 13.5%

Jim Chisholm (right) of Our Energy discussing the operation of the innovative solar high voltage battery charger and the 800V battery bank with Dr Bevan Holcomb. Photo courtesy of Our Energy

• Battery bonanza in store

• Benefits of HEMS

• Storage innovation and applications

• ESC delivers

• Market expertise

• STORAGE NEWS: ABB, BYD, CWP, Ecoult, Reposit, Redflow, Zen Energy, Selectronic and SimpliPhi deliver the goods

• Redback case studies highlight storage advantages

Founding members

Storage surge 2017 and beyond

Platinum members

BY 2030 WORLDWIDE BATTERY STORAGE for electricity could increase from less than 1 GW today to 250 GW. Here in Australia the outlook for storage appears stronger than ever, with 2017 shaping up to be the year that battery installations soar to more than 21,000 according to a recent survey. Elsewhere we read a mind boggling 50,000 households could install storage systems this year, and the Finkel review of the energy industry suggests, conservatively in our view, that within 18 years around 1.1 million homes will have battery storage connected to their solar PV systems. Little wonder, given the rise in grid power prices, lower feed in tariffs and lower cost of storage products. Now the Energy Storage Council is on a mission to find out what industry itself has to say about the rate of uptake and projections, based on real-life experiences of inverter and battery makers and suppliers as well as smart software innovators and suppliers. Members of the ESC covering all products and services will soon receive the comprehensive industry online survey and are urged to participate. Why? The more information the ESC is armed with, the more realistic the assessment of storage today, tomorrow and the future, enabling industry participants to plan with greater confidence. Full market dynamics will be presented in this magazine following the Solar and Storage conference in early May at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre where CEO John Grimes will deliver the valuable findings. But we cannot overlook some ominous developments in the sidelines, namely the proposed new Standards Australia guidelines and recommendations which could effectively prevent battery storage units being installed inside homes or garages. The Energy Storage Council is working within the Standards Australia drafting process on behalf of all Members and is hopeful there will be a sensible outcome following the public consultation process.

Gold members

Silver members

Not to be missed: Applied Energy Storage Show May 3-4 Hot topics addressed during the two days of the Applied Energy Storage show include: Technology breakthroughs, Smart energy business models, Energy storage: real-world data, Results of battery testing performance study, Microgrids and fringe-ofgrids, Internet of Things and big data, Making commercial solar and energy storage work, and Energy management: ‘bringing it all together’. Among the speakers are Professor Martin Green, Jemma Green, CSIRO’s Chief research scientist, specialists from Sunverge, Enphase and Schneider Electric and many more. See more details on page 12. 24 AUTUMN 2017

Bronze members Amplitude Consultants Aussie Off Grid Solar Energy AZTECH INTERNATIONAL B&R Enclosures BALM Electrical Cola Solar CRYSTAL SOLAR ENERGY CSA Services DPA Solar

Dynamic Solar EMSc Asia Pacific Energy Analysis & Engineering Energy Smart Water Fiamm Australia Freshwater Group global-roam Governance Insight

Green Sun Solar Greenlink Solar Grid Edge I Want Energy K&L Gates Log-On Electrical (MyPowerMP) Midnight Energy MO Energy

Natural Solar Navitus Solar NewGen Solar Nexen Energy Off Grid Power Solutions Platinum Solar & Electrical QGE Radiant Energy Systems Renewable Energy Installations

Reposit Power Solar Calculator Solar Hybrid Conversions SolarQuotes.com.au Standard Solar Tropical Energy Solutions Velocity Energy ZAPD Energy Zest Energy

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The first Choice for Stored Energy Solutions

Storage news and product updates ARENA recently listed projects it has funded that feature largescale storage elements: • The AGL Virtual Power Plant (which will aggregate 1,000 household batteries in Adelaide to provide grid support); • Lakeland Solar Farm and Kennedy Energy Park (which combine battery storage with solar and/or wind generation); • The Kidston Pumped Hydro Storage Feasibility Study; and • The national off-river pumped hydro resource mapping study led by Professor Andrew Blakers at the ANU.

Australia’s first grid scale battery storage facility featuring a massive 20 MW battery will be built In Victoria’s north-west or south-west to enhance the performance and security of the grid. The Victorian Government says storage plays a vital role in integrating renewable energy generation and the facility will ensure reliability of supply and keep power prices in check, especially in peak demand periods, and will help modernise Victoria’s electricity grid.

Dawn of the age of storage: on the following pages we look at the 2017 Battery Market Report by Sunwiz that reveals the market is set to treble in 2017, to a point where 15 per cent of new solar installations will include energy storage. Of those households that already have solar, the report finds that seven in ten plan to add a battery or two. Last year saw 6750 battery installations, or 52 MWh across 130,000 solar systems. And a reminder that in 2015 just 500 batteries were installed.

BNEF forecasts a growth spurt for batteries

and smart meters with year-on-year global commissioned capacity addition likely to double from 700 MW (in 2016) to 1.5 GW, almost all of it lithium-ion batteries. Battery prices which over the past five years have reduced 70 per cent will this year drop at least 15 per cent, triggered by Tesla’s Gigafactory and several other large manufacturing facilities coming on stream. Smart meters last year saw record worldwide investment of $14.4 billion, up from $8.8 billion in 2015; and the market could hit $19 billion in 2017, with 69 million smart electricity and gas meters installed led by Europe, Middle East and Africa. BNEF also notes Electric vehicles will break the million milestone. EV sales in 2016 came in around 700,000, accelerating 56 per cent on the 450,000 sold during 2015.

EVs greenest cars: The new midsize Hyundai Ioniq Electric tops the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Greenest (car) List with the highest-ever Green Score of 64, followed closely by the BMW i3 (64) and coming in third is Toyota’s Prius Eco lithium-ion (62). Fourth is the Fiat 500E (62), followed by Nissan Leaf (60) and sharing a green score of 59 are Chevrolet Bolt and Kia Soul electric along with the new plug-in Toyota Prius Prime. Toyota Prius C (58) claimed 9th spot and the Ford Focus electric (58) just made the top ten. www.greenercars.org

26 AUTUMN 2017

Battery prices which over the past five years have reduced 70 per cent will this year drop at least 15 per cent

Ecoult’s home-grown battery storage technology is moving into international markets after forming a partnership with Exide Industries, India’s largest battery maker, to manufacture and distribute Ecoult’s energy storage system and technologies in India and South Asia. In related news Ecoult has been awarded $4.1 million in ARENA funding to support further development and innovation necessary to transition to a renewables based economy and help the company fully commercialise the UltraBattery and secure export dollars for Australian intellectual property. Chief executive officer John Wood says Ecoult is well positioned to take its experience out to new markets, improving power quality and electricity access without the fossil fuel overhead. “The investments in projects here and the lessons learned from them pay off globally, taking Australian storage technology out into the planet’s most remote regions,” he said. “Today diesel is a fuel of convenience. Tomorrow it John Wood (left) and ARENA’s Ivor Frischknecht on the could be the fuel of last resort.” right

Storage news and product updates BYD

recently launched its new compact lithium-ion phosphate B-Box battery on the Australian market. The residential series ranges from 2.5 kWh to 10.0 kWh and the maximum capacity of the commercial series is 409 kWh. The battery’s smart inverter can power household appliances that draw a larger load of up to 5 kWh such as fridges, freezers, as well as heating and cooling units. The modular design enables the battery to be stacked and connected to provide more power within a smaller footprint and offers a wide range of renewable power capacity to meet light to heavy electrical load usage, off-grid or on-grid, single phase or three phase application, with an off-grid backup function to cope with blackouts. BYD marketing director Julia Chen said “Starting from this year, we are looking to get 20-25 per cent of the [Australian battery] market. This needs lot of work.” BYD distributor Solar360 is more optimistic, suggesting BYD could secure up to 50 per cent of the local storage market. On greater certainties, B-Box Energy Storage System features the same battery technology seen in London’s recently launched fleet of 51 single-decker electric buses. BYD (build your dreams) is one of China’s biggest private companies and the largest maker of electric vehicles; its electric buses

Canberra based Reposit is another local success story: chief executive Dean Spaccavento says their smart energy storage systems are helping the ACT grid transition toward 100 per cent renewables by offering Canberra residents “the most advanced battery control system in the world”. He was referring to the ACT government led NextGen Project Targeting 5,000 distributed storage systems across the ACT over four years. Late March marks the launch of ARENA funded Project Consort with a focus on Bruny Island in which 40 customers totaling 200 MW of demand reduction participate in a test of consumer owned storage capability in offsetting the need for costly diesel generation on the island during peak holiday periods. The project runs until early 2019. Reposit has also supplied systems to SAPN in its Adelaide trial in which 100 customers with subsidised storage systems and batteries are testing network support services. It is not dissimilar to the Networks Renewed project underway in Port Macquarie and Melbourne testing the ability of smart storage and PV control to balance voltage on the grid.

28 AUTUMN 2017

and taxis are seen on the streets of cities across the world worldwide. At Sydney airport ground transportation provider Carbridge has ordered 40 more electric buses from BYD after making its debut in 2014.

ABB in Alaska:

microgrid technology developed in Darwin at ABB’s global centre of competence for Microgrids is bringing clean energy and power reliability to 300,000 people in an Anchorage community. The innovative microgrid that combines battery and flywheel based storage technologies is designed to test scalability and improve power stability for around. The flywheel will facilitate the integration of fluctuating wind power and the battery will be used for long-term storage. The battery has a capacity of 500 KWh with a maximum performance of 2 MW. Meanwhile ABB’s Electrification Products division will be delivering its state-of-the-art fast-charging OppCharge systems that operate with all-electric or hybrid-electric vehicles manufactured by Volvo Buses to customers in Europe and North America. The state-of-the-art charging stations are capable of fully charging full-size hybrid-electric and all-electric buses in just three to six minutes during a layover at bus terminals.

WHO MAKES THE MOST EFFICIENT AND SAFEST RESIDENTIAL STORAGE PRODUCT? SOLARWATT. INTRODUCING MYRESERVE.

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Australia's Battery Market set for eye-watering growth To gain a clearer picture on the extent of storage uptake in Australia Warwick Johnston of Sunwiz talked to the majority of battery makers and now estimates as many as one in five new PV installations in 2017 will include batteries.

FOR QUITE SOME TIME I'd dismissed the hype about the attractiveness of installing grid-connected batteries in Australia. Yes, everyone loves the idea of energy independence, and would love to give the middle finger to the electricity retailers who buy excess solar power at a fifth of the price they themselves charge. But I thought there would be few people willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars to do so. On top of that, though Tesla had created a surge of interest, most PV retailers were struggling to convert that into sales, or had limited product supply options. When I surveyed the market in April 2016, respondents reported that only although half of solar power enquiries were asking about batteries, barely 2 per cent of people who bought a solar power system actually bought a battery with it. Back in April 2016, the median respondent forecast 850 installations nationwide in 2016, totalling 28 MWh; 75 per cent of respondents expected fewer than 5500 installations would occur last year.

Powering ahead My what a difference half a year can make! In the second half of 2016, more products came to market, Tesla announced a major price drop, and lo and behold batteries became an affordable option (for some). Using SunWiz's PVsell software, the dashboard below demonstrates

30 AUTUMN 2017

that an Adelaide household can get a Warwick Johnston of Sunwiz 7-year payback on a 5 kW PV system with 13 kWh of storage, if they have moderately high energy consumption (25 kWh/day). In the process, they can generate 88 per cent of their energy needs, reduce their solar export by three-quarters, and reduce their grid draw by 72 per cent. It’s no wonder that Australia is about to become one of the top countries in the world for battery installations. But how do we know what's actually been installed? Whereas the STC incentive means SunWiz can track PV installations with a high degree of accuracy and deep resolution, no such data source exists for batteries. Although distribution network operators may seem the natural focal point of data collection, our discussions with network operators revealed they are largely unaware of the true volumes of batteries that are being installed on their network.

“We are confident there will be at least a three-fold increase in 2017 [with] one in five new PV installations including batteries.”

In order to provide some transparency into what is otherwise a highly opaque market, SunWiz personally interviewed more than 60 battery market leaders. And by leveraging SunWiz's status as trusted independent solar analyst, we have been given unprecedented amount of information (most of which we must keep confidential), which has been compiled into a report that provides unparalleled insight.

Market insights The report shows: 1. 6750 battery installations occurred in 2016, up from 500 in 2015. This means that 5 per cent of new PV systems included energy storage in 2016. 2. New South Wales and Queensland led installations in 2016. 3. Because most of the installations occurred in the latter part of the

“It’s no wonder that Australia is about to become one of the top countries in the world for battery installations.”

“An Adelaide household can get a 7-year payback on a 5 kW PV system with 13 kWh of storage.” year, we are confident there will be at least a three-fold increase (and more likely a four-fold increase) on these numbers in 2017. This would mean one in five new PV installations in 2017 includes batteries. 4. There was a record volume of capacity installed in major projects, rollouts, and distribution network trials. The full Sunwiz report provides a rich dataset of research, survey, and industry opinion that will inform the strategies of storage manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers for the year ahead. It includes full details of the volumes installed in 2015 and 2016, forecasts for 2017 and beyond, commentary and insights into market trends, details of battery pricing and financials, a listing of the top ranks of manufacturers wholesalers and retailers, and comprehensive coverage of the key news of 2016. More information on the report can be found at http://www.sunwiz.com.au/index.php/battery-market-report-2017.html

ON SHOW AT THE EXPO: 105+ industry exhibitors and

sponsors CONFERENCE STREAMS:

Applied Energy Storage, Policy and Market, and Professional Development 150+ Top calibre local and international speakers A drop in the price of batteries has contributed to an increase in the take up of energy storage systems over the last year.

May 3 and 4, 2017 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Australian Solar and Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition 2017

Solar & Storage 31

Redback inverter ensures Bundaberg resident can crack open an ice cold ginger beer (even when the power’s out) IN INNES PARK, Bundaberg, Queensland, retired salesman John Watson and his partner, Dianne Southwell, a horticulturist and permaculturist, have managed to minimise their power bills to zero in some instances, with credits on new power bills, and zero power outages. They have an uninterrupted, solar power supply through daylight hours for their two fridges, a microwave, large hot water system and a bevy of other household items, including power tools. Their solar supply also operates a pool pump for eight hours each day, with peak back-up battery power for night time usage. By selling additional power back to the grid, credits are also appearing on their account, and to use John’s own words, “while it may not be a money making enterprise yet” the couple are steadily reducing their energy costs and transforming the way they look at their energy use.

Smart installation In March 2016, John and Dianne engaged AC Electrical to install their grid connect hybrid system with a Redback Smart Hybrid Inverter, 24 x

260w Suntech solar panels, and 2 x 2.4kwh Plyontech battery banks. The couple had found a reliable solar power system that could be upgraded quickly if required, and which offered high power from backup systems. Their ultimate goal is to run their home with minimal costs, without compromising on their lifestyle or comfort, particularly in the harsh Australian summer. They settled on the Redback Smart Hybrid Inverter because it met these needs and also came with a lower set up cost. John explained, “While we considered other systems in the market, including Solarhart with Tesla Powerwall, Redback offered more features in a single package than the other competitors we investigated.”

Result! After the initial set up, John and Di’s power bills have significantly reduced and other than being freed of soaring electricity prices, they are also benefiting from an independent replenishable energy supply, greater transparency over their energy usage and control over energy budgets. John continued, “Redback Technologies and our installer worked with us closely to set up the system. After the initial settling in period and changing our storage hot water to a lower wattage element we are very happy customers!” Offering guidance to other Aussie families looking to install a solar solution, he advises, “Don’t have unrealistic expectations of a return from it immediately, but rather, look at it as a long term way of reducing costs. “I would also tell people to install the largest system they can afford and are allowed, which is consistent with your requirements, because this investment up front will pay off in spades down the track.” Placing power back into the hands of consumers, Redback Technologies customers like the Watsons can analyse and control energy generation and consumption in real-time and reduce energy costs without sacrificing their day-to-day comfort and convenience. It could just be the next generation Great Australian Dream.

32 AUTUMN 2017

Five tips and considerations for solar installers Redback Technologies National Sales Manager Tim Latimer presents his views on what’s important to installers as well as consumers of smart energy systems. AT REDBACK we’re focused on investing in an upgradable solution that places the power in the hands of the Australians who generate it, to give them control over how it’s used. We create hardware and software solutions that are designed to optimise self-consumption with a lower upfront cost and a much faster return on investment than other systems. With my background of more than eight years in the solar industry, dealing directly with wholesale distributers and solar installers on a national and international level, I’ve observed big shifts for consumers and installers alike. Consumers are more educated on what they want and installers need to start listening. Here, I’ve shared five tips for solar installers to ensure they offer tailored solutions for their clients.

ONE: Consumers are looking for an

end-to-end solution In any purchase decision, customer are understandably looking to get the maximum features, specs and aesthetic with minimal effort and at the lowest price point. This is true across product types and is similarly applicable to solar storage and management. Installers need to be equipped not only with the best products and services but also with the background knowledge to provide the best endto-end solution for their customers. Many installers have an appetite for smart and integrated systems, wanting to provide all the benefits they can to their consumers. However others only look to provide a basic solution, rigidly sticking to what they’ve always recommended, without expanding their offerings. Installers who hold their customers’ needs at heart will need to provide a tailored solution, enabling them to easily monitor their power usage through web apps on their smart phone, as well as ensuring a faster return on investment.

TWO: Performance versus integration Installers have two key considerations: how the product will perform and how it will be integrated and installed. When looking at performance, the difficulties lie in installers selling systems without adequately planning what storage solution is required for the particular scenario. How many batteries do they need? What will their peak demands be? For a lot of installers they’re used to grid-connected solar, which doesn’t require a lot of planning, whereas we’re seeing an emergence in hybrid and battery storage that requires a greater understanding of energy needs prior to installation.

THREE: Smart technology is key Traditionally, installers could mount a system, turn it on and it would be the end of their role. The market is moving to a place where upgradable

systems are becoming the standard and we’re able to use data from a number of points to improve the usage experience. If there is an issue with the system it can be detected instantly, whereas in the past a customer would only become aware of the problem when the bill arrives or the power goes off. Some systems now take advantage of the Internet of Things, connecting and controlling appliances in the home to optimise performance. The rise in machine learning technology means products are becoming more intuitive. Installers are now working with IT experts to connect systems to the web and the cloud – their role is extended beyond the initial installation.

FOUR: Looking beyond Return on Investment Solar installers can sometimes hold false pretenses that the main motivation for prospects is return on investment. Although this is a fundamental factor, ROI isn’t all that concerns customers and it is worth taking the time to understand their needs before making any recommendations. Some homeowners want to become independent from the utility grid or they might have a very poor connection because they’re remote. Others want a sleek, sophisticated unit or an upgradeable solution to future-proof them as technology innovations develop over time. Customer motivations can be purely environmental or they may want to support technology that is homegrown and developed in Australia. These should all be taken into consideration when helping customers choose a system that works for their needs.

FIVE: Commercial customers have different

needs Unlike residential customers, commercial customers have different drivers. Financial drivers are stronger in commercial customers, as batteries and smart software can help reduce the cost of pulling energy from the grid at peak demand times. The necessity of energy security also plays a part – a shortage of power can be detrimental to business efficiencies. For example, commercial customers such as pharmacies might have critical supplies kept in fridges. If they lose power and their cooling systems drop off it can have huge consequences.

Solar & Storage 33

Home energy, energy independence Home energy management systems (sometimes referred to as EMSs or HEMS) are fast becoming a popular way to get the most out of solar panels and battery storage. What is an EMS, what benefit does it promise, and what features can they be equipped with? Here James Martin of Solar Choice assesses the characteristics. PHYSICALLY, EMSs can take many forms. Some consist of a small box installed on a home’s electrical board, while others are embedded into a solar inverter or battery storage system. Still others may exist ‘in the cloud’, with no dedicated central hub. An EMS has two core functions: • Monitoring: An EMS allows the user to see how energy is being consumed or generated in their home; at a minimum, it will display details about the ‘now’, but virtually all EMSs will also display historic data on demand. The granularity of monitoring varies; some systems show data in 15-minute chunks, while others may display it in fractions of a second. Ideally, an EMS will be able to monitor home energy consumption and solar PV system output as well as battery status. • Control: An EMS should be able to control at least one element of the energy flows within a home. For some systems, this may mean diverting excess solar energy into a battery bank, while for others it could mean near total home automation to maximise overall energy outcomes. Both monitoring and control are usually accessed through a smart phone app or web portal. Without control, the device is a monitoring system. Meanwhile, the main category of useful energy-related gadgets that have control without monitoring are hot water diverters.

EMS focus: Household, solar or batteries? The first thing that sets EMSs apart from one another is the aspect of the energy consumption/production equation that the focus on. There are three primary focus areas: • Household energy consumption: An EMS that starts with household energy consumption does not require solar or batteries to operate; it can be installed and be useful in virtually any home. Basic systems allow users to monitor and manually (but remotely) control devices in the home. More advanced systems will also integrate with

34 AUTUMN 2017

solar and batteries if they are added at a later date. • Solar PV: An EMS whose focus is solar PV will generally aim to maximise selfconsumption of solar energy, usually by switching select non-essential devices on and off. Solar-focused EMSs are sometimes (but not always) built directly into the PV system’s inverter, and may be able to incorporate batteries at a later date. • Battery storage: An EMS with a battery focus will work to shift energy around throughout the day to ensure that it is stored in the most cost-effective way as possible, taking into account the home’s tariff rates, anticipated solar energy production and household demand for the day. Several systems can also control devices within the home automatically. Battery-focused EMSs are often (but not always) embedded in the battery bank itself.

Other EMS features The exact features included in an EMS will vary. Some of the key features that EMSs often have are outlined below: • Device control: The EMS can remotely (and often automatically) control devices in the home. Consumers should be aware of which communications protocols are used by the EMS and which types or brands of devices it is compatible with. • Tariff optimisation: For customers on a time-of-use (TOU) billing setup, an EMS can help to ensure that more energy is consumed during cheaper, off-peak periods and that less energy needs to be purchased from the grid during more expensive peak & shoulder times. • Solar energy optimisation: Without battery storage or high feedin rates, solar energy should be consumed directly by the home to maximise value; an EMS should help the household to increase the

ratio of solar energy used directly vs the amount exported to the grid. • Peer-to-peer trading: The ability to sell excess (exported) solar or battery energy to other households. (A ‘moderator’ – usually an electricity retailer – is necessary for peer-to-peer trading to be possible.) • Spot price trading: The ability to access the wholesale electricity spot price on the National Electricity Market (NEM) in order to take advantage of high price events. • Virtual plant functionality: Through collaboration with an electricity retailer or network company, EMSs may enable homes with solar and batteries to be integrated into the grid as an aggregated generation plant.

EMS Comparison table Solar Choice recently published a comparison table of EMS options available in Australia on its website. This list will be continually updated as new products become available. View the list at: www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/EMS-comparison If you notice any items missing, email james@solarchoice.net.au Solar Choice is an Australia-wide brokerage and comparison service for rooftop residential and commercial solar installations, as well as a developer of large-scale solar farms.

Solar & Storage 35

Storage news and product updates US battery maker SimpliPhi Power hopes to boost sales of its modular plug and play lithium ferro phosphate battery systems within Australia’s residential and commercial battery storage market. California-based chief executive Catherine Von Burg was recently in Australia holding talks with key parties including suppliers, utilities and the Energy Storage Council.

Redflow

is exporting its zinc-bromine flow batteries to Asian countries where telecommunications have “leap-frogged copper lines into wireless telephony and broadband”. The SA based company is targeting mobile telecommunication towers located in areas without reliable electricity supplies and is mindful of Indonesia’s 85,000 telecom towers, many of which require battery backup due to unreliable electricity supplies.

South Australia based Zen Energy’s One to watch: CWP is the name behind the mighty 260 MW Sapphire wind project near Glen Innes in northern NSW due for completion in 2018, and at a later date may develop a 20 MW solar farm. From what we understand CWP has teamed up with Belgian based IPS which developed Exeron, the hybrid energy controller that is unique in that it can draw energy from the grid or solar power or diesel back-up in a way that’s not been done before. The system was trialed in Saudi Arabia which indicates its suitability for harsh and remote regions, and as company management says, “microgrids are1all about resilience”. allgrid_energy_half-page_add_final.pdf 27/02/2017 4:02 PM

Big Battery Project is assessing the potential for between 50-150 MW of battery storage in Port Augusta. A 150 MWh battery would help stabilise grid frequency and voltage during times of power losses, they say, such as the catastrophic events of September 28 which left people trapped in dark lifts, unable to exit car parks, or stuck for hours in traffic. A day that no South Australian will ever forget.

Dedicated to Indigenous Community and Employment Lithium Variant Smart Battery Storage System • IP54 battery enclosure robust powder coated cast aluminium • Plug and Play for quick installation

36 AUTUMN 2017

• Floor or wall mounting easy to install in any location • Fan ventilation for hot climates to increase battery life

• Scaleable design add additional storage as demand increases • Easy install for quick battery setup and commissioning

For more information, please call 1300 477 778 or visit www.allgrid.energy

When is a Peak Body not a Peak Body? When it is just a commercial business A message from ESC President Steve Blume about truth and transparency in the energy storage sector. OUR ORGANISATION, the Energy Storage Council (ESC), is a not for profit

perception of equivalence in the marketplace, especially in bureaucratic

limited liability company from the industry and for the industry - we are

and academic circles, which needs to be clarified.

not simply a business solely trying to make a profit. Everything we do is aimed at getting the best possible policy results for a clean energy future and helping member businesses succeed. A bit of history here: by 2014 it was apparent that the energy storage sector required its own unique voice through an energy storage sector

So who is the ESA and why are they different? ESA’s own website tells part of the story – it is part of the commercial for-profit business owned and operated by Exhibitions and Trade Fairs Pty Ltd (ETF). The business and trading names and domain names are registered

specific industry peak body. With strong support from the energy storage

under ETF and the self-titled ‘Industry Executive of the Australian Energy

industry the Australian Energy Storage Council (ESC) was established with

Storage Alliance’ is a paid employee of ETF whose primary role is to ensure

more than 60 corporate members in our first year.

the highest possible participation of exhibitors and delegates at ETF’s

Today the ESC has more than 120 corporate members offering energy

annual energy storage trade show.

storage products, software and services, and the ESC is served by full time

The ESA Exhibition and storage conference is just one of ETF’s many

staff who report to a volunteer board. The ESC actively advocates for and

trade shows (see http://www.etf.com.au/events ) which include events for

represents its members. We have been instrumental in developing

mining, liquefied natural gas and various other sectors. The ESA storage

appropriate energy storage sector standards and linking the

event is simply a for-profit event run by one of the world’s largest events

sector with global standards best practice in Europe, North

companies designed to maximise delegate and customer numbers.

America and Asia. We provide policy advice to all levels of government, keep the community and industry informed and provide training across Australia. We have a strong national voice that promotes our important, fast growing industry, and we work hard to maintain government and customer confidence. We also keep our members up to date on critical developments, publish a quarterly magazine and run a free-to-attend energy storage conference and exhibition attracting around 5,000 delegates each year. Every cent the ESC raises from any activity funds our work to make the energy storage sector successful, to raise its profile, keep it safe and protect its reputation as a mature and responsible industry, in line with our not-for-profit constitution.

Unaligned interests However we have had many inquiries from people who are concerned

As with any company, the focus is on returning the biggest return to shareholders possible. In this case by running for profit events across any sector that proves to be profitable. There is nothing at all wrong with ETF/ESA running a business and making a profit, and we do not suggest there is. However it seems misleading for ESA to be representing themselves primarily as a peak body or as a party interested in policy and having a representative or advocacy role on behalf of the energy storage industry. It appears to be contrary to consumer law as described by the ACCC https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/misleading-claims-advertising/ false-or-misleading-claims. The claim at http://energystoragealliance.com.au (note the .com domain not .org) that ESA is: “an independent and unbiased advocate and information hub, whose mission is to advance the role of safe, clean and cost-effective energy storage in Australia and New Zealand.”

and confused about the difference between our organisation and

is troubling. So too is the fact that ESA events seem to exist solely to

the role of the so-called ‘Energy Storage Alliance’ (ESA). There is a

offer a commercial return or other benefit to ETF Pty Ltd and the ‘flagship

38 AUTUMN 2017

project’ the Australian Energy Storage Database is funded through grants from public funds. The Energy Storage Council is concerned that important industry advocacy and policy activities could be derailed by diffused or unfocused competing messages. It is fine to run a business, which ESC does to support its NFP goals, but when there is a lack of transparency, and roles are blurred, scrutiny is appropriate. Well meaning and influential people and companies wishing to support renewables and energy storage should be aware of the facts before supporting a business which, of course, is simply aiming to maximise its

profit – not “... an independent and unbiased advocate and information hub ...”. It seems that ESA simply comprises an event salesperson and a volunteer Advisory Board. By contrast, with every dollar you spend with the not-for-profit ESC you not only get the marketing/sales benefit, but you also help support all our other important industry and advocacy work. I hope this article provides some clarity to the many people who have expressed confusion about the role of ESA versus the Energy Storage Council.

• •

Solar & Storage 39

COMMUNITY ENERGY

Building smart sustainable communities Founder of the innovative Brisbane start-up Our Energy Jim Chisholm promotes the benefits of a customer centric approach toward energy supplies.

Jim Chisholm of Our Energy is a champion of microgrid energy systems that are efficient, affordable and sustainable.

HOW QUICKLY can a normal everyday community become a smart sustainable energy community? Jim Chisholm, founder of Our Energy uses a combination of micro-grid technology and the development of customer centric solutions to enable communities of all sizes the ability to implement sustainable energy solutions and improve their energy efficiency. Using Our Energy’s services, a community such as Newstead in Victoria could achieve its energy goal of being 100 per cent renewable within three years, removing the need for peak and off-peak demand management while also reducing residents’ electricity bills. A customer centric community based approach is the key difference for Jim, who has 45 years of experience in the ever-changing electrical industry. When asked about his vision for Our Energy’s “Community energy for all our customers”, Jim explained that “we work with each community to develop a sustainable energy solution and then work individually with each customer in the community to improve their energy efficiency over time, thereby reducing both their energy consumption and cost. Our Energy strives to ensure that energy cost and usage are no longer front of mind issues for Australians.”

Designing a Solar City Jim is no stranger to the challenges of transforming regular communities into smart energy communities, having conceptualised Townsville’s Solar City Project. This pioneering project developed solar energy communities on Magnetic Island. The goals were relatively simple; introduce a series of solar, battery storage, smart meter and energy efficiency initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce “peak demand” and in turn save customers money. The project involved installing 415 kilowatts of photovoltaic panels and engaging the local council and residents, resulting in a 10.5 per cent reduction in peak power usage and saving

residents more than $1.7 million in electricity bills (Townsville Queensland Solar City, 2013). Through various successes such as this, Jim was eventually engaged by the State Government to form Queensland’s 30 year Electricity Strategy.

“… a clear sign that the international audience sees potential in Australia’s renewable energy sector.”

Team building

Community engagement

Combining his passion for renewable energy and its benefits to society with his experience managing projects that thrived when effectively engaging the community, Jim had developed the foundation upon which Our Energy was built. The first step was to build a team, so Jim called in a select group of executives with a wealth of experience leading Smart City initiatives. Leveraging experience, the team has forged a number of strategic partnerships with local technology companies and multinational corporations to ensure that Our Energy has the infrastructure and scale to transform the Australian Market. The team was enormously impressed by the number of international organisations clamouring for a meeting, a clear sign that the international audience sees potential in Australia’s renewable energy sector. After a series of meetings in countries such as the US, India and Korea, Our Energy decided to engage partnerships with the likes of KEPCO and Samsung SDI due to their focus on continual innovation and experience in developing micro-grid technologies. The micro-grid technologies allowed Our Energy to develop the basis for their smart grids, however Our Energy also needed flexibility to be able to offer customer-centric solutions. They engaged with innovative local technology companies such as Elevare and Terrajoule to ensure that their range of products and the systems used are as efficient as possible, and tailored to meet the needs of the many varied communities that make up our Australian energy community. Elevare has developed innovative and leading edge technologies around solar and battery storage that delivers significant efficiency benefits whilst Terrajoule has developed an innovative modular solar thermal solution that can deliver renewable energy at any time of the day or night. These local companies ensure that Our Energy is at the forefront of research and development in the renewable energy sector.

In recent years, Our Energy has worked with a variety of retirement and aged care communities and universities across Queensland and New South Wales, demonstrating that their sustainable energy community model can work across a variety of applications. They are also engaging with a variety of councils and a university hospital to develop

long term investments into research and development and hopefully the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy that will attract and foster world leading innovative renewable energy research and development within Australia. If these initiatives come to fruition, Australia’s renewables sector certainly has a bright future ahead. www.ourenergycompany.com.au

CMY

Solar & Storage 41

PV THROUGH THE AGES

PV then and now, through the eyes of Trina’s Chief Scientist Dr Pierre Verlinden has clocked more than 35 years in the solar industry and in that time steered the efficiency – as well as the evolution – of PV cells. Here the International Technical Director of Trina Solar tells us about the vastly different expectations of the early days, and sheds light on China’s PV boom.

IT’S NOT OFTEN we meet scientists whose involvement in the solar industry dates back 38 years, however we recently caught up with Trina’s Chief Scientist Dr Pierre Verlinden who enlightened us on the early days of solar. Back in the mid ‘80s, he said, the global solar industry community numbered just a thousand or so primarily involved in research or as entrepreneurs, many of whom interacted on a first-name basis. With worldwide PV capacity standing at just one megawatt the market was all but limited to the US space and satellite industry, however there was a vision to help third world communities without power to electrify. “The main prospect for solar in the early days was in providing power to those without, climate change had not really entered the debate,” the Belgian-born Australian explained. “There was however some discussion over coal and oil reserves in the context of estimating the number of years supply.” Another key difference during the 1980s was that solar cells tended to be manufactured in a warehouse style environment on single production lines lacking stringent air quality controls for particles and contamination; a far cry from today’s squeaky clean clinical environment in which factories such as Trina’s churn out in excess of 100,000 wafers every hour.

Solar’s early rise With the early focus on solar in space and the potential for third world off-grid communities, rooftop PV in city environs was barely on the radar. “We had little idea that we would be installing PV on rooftops and generating energy so cheaply, we did not really contemplate grid Adelaide Airport’s 1.28 MW PV system, powered by Trina

connection,” said the electrical engineer who pinpoints the birth of rooftop PV as 1996, citing anything up till then as simply the gestation. The first person Verlinden encountered with aspirations for residential rooftop PV installations was a Swiss entrepreneur whose strategy in 1985 was to target homeowners with two Mercedes cars in the garage - people who were slightly older, better cashed up and idealistic. But the PV industry had to wait until 2005 for take off, and is now poised to accelerate and eclipse all other forms of energy generation. After Pierre Verlinden completed his PhD in Belgium he went on to Stanford University as Visiting Scholar before accepting a role in 1991 at SunPower, the then CPV start-up, working on a series of ground breaking projects for more than a decade. Following that he moved to Adelaide to work for Origin Energy before accepting a position with Solar Systems in Melbourne, while also founding PV technology consulting firm Amrock. The year 2012 marked the move to Trina Solar.

Boosting efficiencies Fast-forward to today where from his offices in Changzhou, China, Pierre Verlinden is steering Trina’s research work at UNSW and ANU with ARENA on advanced PV technologies in his role as Trina’s chief scientist. One research contract involves driving efficiencies in interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells which have been boosted to 24 per cent and there are aspirations for efficiency levels of 25-26 per cent. “My original objective was to develop the best PV research centre in the world, and there we have produced the most efficient solar cell and

Background image: PV as far as the eye can see – India’s mighty 151 MW Neemuch PV plant is one of the world’s largest

I’m very proud of that, it cements Trina’s position at the forefront of technological development,” Verlinden told Solar & Storage during his recent visit to Australia. He emphasises the important role of solar cell efficiency to significantly reduce the end cost of plant development through reduced requirements for cabling, labour, frames and more. “In that context efficiency becomes really important,” he explained, before reflecting that 30 years ago people were content with module efficiency of just 10 per cent.

China’s golden age of renewables Having now lived in China for more than five years Verlinden has witnessed the meteoric rise of large-scale PV in the country, saying “People don’t always comprehend the extent of China’s advances in renewable energy. Yes, two thirds of the power is currently derived from coal plants but they put enormous resources into renewables: In 2016 China installed 34.2 GW of PV and the plan is to install about 50 GW per annum from 2020 then 100 GW per year to keep up with anticipated demand. “With a fast growing middle class consuming ever more energy, the needs of electricity in China over the years to 2050 is enormous,” he explained. “Electricity Generation capacity in China sits at 1.5 terawatts and the country will need 7.5 terawatts by 2050. If all that energy was generated from coal fired power plants it would represent a huge problem for the planet. New capacity has to be, and will be, renewable energy. “In turn that [renewable energy mix] has to be absorbed by and worked in with the power grid and with storage, but does that mean pumped hydro or flow batteries at utility level, or compressed air, maybe even fly wheel or something else? And how do we combine PV and wind and hydro and ensure we still have a reliable grid? “It’s a complex problem but we do know that PV and wind have the capacity to be installed faster than any other industry, especially compared to nuclear energy plants.”

Unstoppable solar Despite the challenges that lay ahead integrating China’s energy mix there is widespread support for solar PV there and across the globe. “Solar PV is the people’s choice of energy, it is unstoppable,” Verlinden maintains. “People who don’t have PV today state that it is what they want in future. That said, PV is not the energy of the future but it is the energy of today. A home can be 100 per cent solar powered and disconnected from the grid. As the price of grid supplied energy goes up so does the payback on PV systems decline [so] it’s not all bad seeing energy price rises! “Cost calculations and benefits of solar energy are a no-brainer – why bother with fossil fuel any more?” he posed. “We need to put the wellbeing of the world before short-term economic or political gain. We need to work with all countries to promote sustainability.”

Dr Pierre Verlinden has successfully led a team of PV researchers and scientists to enhance Trina Solar’s PV technologies and produce several world records in cell and module efficiencies

Shifting market demand Founded in 1997 Trina Solar produces ingots, wafers and cells for module assembly and by late 2014 had shipped 11 GW of product. Cumulative output had jumped to 15 GW by the end of 2015 and last year the company added another 6.5 GW taking the tally to more than 21 GW. The stellar run has secured Trina Solar’s place among Fortune’s top 100 fastest growing companies where it peaked at No 11 in 2011. In the years to 2011 Trina Solar’s primary market was Germany along with other parts of Europe and also Australia but, with the monumental shift since then, up to 50 per cent of last year’s production was destined for use in China with the majority of the balance exported to the US, Japan, India (around 13 per cent) and Europe (less than 7 per cent). Australia which today represents just a small slice of Trina’s market has until recently focused on residential and commercial installations, unlike China whose solar market is to date almost exclusively 100 per cent utility scale. Now residential and commercial applications are taking off in China and Pierre Verlinden says many low-rise dwellings in the country already sport solar hot water systems and that fast growth of rooftop PV is forecast. In mid 2016 Trina diversified into residential storage systems and energy management through its offshoot TrinaBESS and Verlinden revealed that the parent company is currently reviewing other opportunities in smart energy systems. Here in Australia Trina Solar is the number one PV panel supplier and is well known as the supplier of the University of Queensland’s iconic 1.22 MW rooftop installation comprising 5000+ polycrystalline Trina Solar panels matched with Power One inverters generating 1.85 GWh of electricity each year. Trina is also the name behind Adelaide Airport’s 1.28 MW PV system.

“Solar PV is the people’s choice of energy, it is unstoppable. People who don’t have PV today state that is what they want in future … and as the price of grid supplied energy goes up so does the payback on PV systems decline [so] it’s not all bad seeing energy price rises!”

Spirit of Solar Goodwill rises again in Fiji Thanks to Its Time Foundation founder and philanthropist Rob Edwards with key support from volunteer Maja Gajic many schools in Fiji are now powered by solar systems rather than kerosene and diesel. Education standards have been raised along with quality of life for hundreds of islanders. But several solar systems were hard hit by Cyclone Winston last year which unleashed winds of 306 km/h throughout the islands. Here Rob updates us on developments to repair the infrastructure. BEHIND THE IDYLLIC RESORTS, many Fijian schools are struggling with no electricity supply - or relying on dirty diesel generators that they

Five of the school solar systems were damaged.

can barely afford to run a couple of hours per

Tale of destruction

day. This leaves the kids with little or no chance

Kioa Island primary school: A water tank

of a modern education.

travelling upward of 200 km/h destroyed one

Its Time Foundation delivers renewable power

PV panel, but the mounting system stayed

for remote Fijian schools. Sixteen schools now

intact.

benefit from hugely successful school solar

Salia Levu Primary: Two thirds of the

systems – providing clean, free energy for

buildings were completely destroyed, yet just

lighting and computers and transforming the

one panel of the solar system was damaged,

education and prospects for these kids. And it’s

the rest held strong.

a small but real reduction in carbon emissions

South Taveuni High School: Major trees and

and fighting climate change – if nothing else

concrete block buildings were destroyed, but

that gives those remote communities a great

mercifully only two PV panels were damaged

sense of pride.

by flying debris.

In February 2016 Its Time was plunged in

Namamanuca Primary: Just five of the

to its toughest year. Seven of the school solar

twenty-eight panels on the ground-mounted

systems met Cyclone Winston head-on with

PV system survived. Those panels were lost

its peak winds exceeding 300 km/h. It was

due to flying debris picked up and hurled

the most powerful storm to make landfall

about by the wind as it cut through the

in the southern hemisphere, ever. Many

village – the heavy projectiles hit the panels

deaths resulted and infrastructure and whole

from behind and they had little chance under

communities were flattened. By and large our

those extraordinary conditions. That system

solar systems stood up very well, a testament to

was repaired mid 2016 (and for the record

Clenergy mounting systems, Yingli panels and

that was an early installation and the original

SMA inverters we use.

system was not using Yingli panels).

“It was heart breaking seeing the devastation brought by the cyclone but the local people are strong … as seen in the photos following the cyclone many still had great big smiles despite the loss and destruction … we can learn a lot from them in terms of resilience.”

44 AUTUMN 2017

Lavena Primary School had one of only two roof-mounted systems. Sadly much of the roof and some of the panels are now a novelty for scuba divers on the reef. That system has been reinstalled and final works were completed in January this year. The school was largely rebuilt with a much stronger structure and it was decided to replace the original with a roofmounted solar system.

“We remain determined to vastly improve the education prospects for a generation of Fijian schoolkids and along the way reduce harmful carbon dioxide

Help at hand Its Time Founder Rob Edwards said “Thanks to fundraising and the kindness of donors, corporate supporters and Rotary we have completed the repairs. “Trust me raising money to fix broken stuff is a heck of a lot tougher than raising money to install shiny new systems. It was our toughest year yet, but thanks to some generous donors and the ongoing support of Yingli, Clenergy, CBS and Clipsal we got it all done, and at a much reduced cost. One year on the island nation is still struggling, but at least these schools are back to modern education.”

emissions.”

With a depth of feeling Rob added “Our hopes are to never, ever, see a cyclone of that magnitude and destruction again.” General information about Its Time Foundation and the individual projects can be found at: www.iitime.org Storm clip http://iitime.org/cyclone/ http://iitime.org/csr/ http://www.iitime.org/home.html

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AROUND THE TRAPS

Around the traps WELL-REGARDED battery inverter specialist Selectronic which has teamed with lithium-ion battery maker LG Chem will soon be delivering flexible new energy storage solutions with integration between the SP PRO and RESU batteries. The Selectronic/LG Chem RESU pairing will provide consumers with a solution to reduce their electricity spend and guarantee a steady flow of power during grid outages. The storage solution can be added to both existing (retrofit) and new solar installations.

UK BASED SOLAR DEVELOPER Island Green Power and Australian outfit Overland Sun Farming are soon commencing construction of three 100 MW utility-scale solar farms near Mildura in Victoria. Each one of the farms will constitute the largest solar farm ever built in Victoria and the total output will be 320 MW. The parties agree economic conditions are right for investment in large-scale plants: the price of PVs is falling, other input prices are falling, and future energy and LGC prices remain high.

46 AUTUMN 2017

The integration of LG Chem’s RESU series with Selectronic’s world-class inverter has gone through significant R&D and field testing by both companies to ensure Australian consumers get the best solution. Technical Director of Selectronic Ken Scott said “We’ve been in the industry for a long time, and are careful to put out the right solutions and partner with the right companies. Working with LG Chem was a good opportunity and a good fit for Selectronic.”

ELSEVIER AND THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY (ISES) are staging the Renewable Transformation Challenge to honour outstanding work that best demonstrates the transformation to a world powered by renewable energy and has potential to widen access to energy, particularly in developing countries. The first place winner will be awarded €20,000. Deadline for submitting proposals is April 30, 2017. www.elsevier.com/physical-sciences/energy/ renewable-transformation-challenge

SYDNEY-BASED START-UP Solar Analytics and WattWatchers are crossing the Pacific to set up an office in San Francisco in the bid to target the US market. Their WattWatcher Auditor energy metering device and Solar Analytics IoT solution has gained the tick of approval for installation in the US and Canada. North America is described as a household PV growth market with a trend away from PPAs and leasing models to full system ownership, not unlike the Australian market.

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Solar customer demographics Jeff Sommerfeld has studied trends in solar consumer demographics over the past seven years and here he shares some of his findings.

UNDERSTANDING AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER UPTAKE of solar technology over the past decade will provide important insights into how they will respond to emerging technology such as batteries. A study of solar PV uptake in South East Queensland over the past decade by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) academic Dr Jeff Sommerfeld has identified important population characteristics of consumers acquiring solar. He said there was limited academic research into consumers and solar PV adoption and much of the

information on Australia was undertaken before the surge in solar PV adoption in recent years. Over the past decade the profile of Queenslanders acquiring solar PV has changed significantly from previous studies which identified solar PV as being mostly acquired by people with higher incomes and tertiary qualifications, Dr Sommerfeld said. "In fact, the highest uptake of solar PV systems is now coming from families, those on low-incomes and with homes of three bedrooms or more.

Australian Solar and Energy Storage Exhibition & Conference 2017 Proudly brought to you by the Australian Solar Council and Energy Storage Council Wednesday May 3 and Thursday May 4, 2017 at the MCEC, 2 Clarendon St South Wharf Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Event Partners

To exhibit or to sponsor the Show, contact Brett Thompson brett@solar.org.au or phone 0402 181 250

48 AUTUMN 2017

ON SHOW AT THE EXPO: 105+ industry exhibitors and sponsors CONFERENCE STREAMS: Applied Energy Storage, Policy and Market, and Professional Development

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SOLAR CONSUMER DEMOGRAPHICS

“People in outer suburbs with lower levels of university education and on

Table 1. Categories and characteristics of people within each category

Category

Percentage

Characteristics

Innovators

First 2.5%

Venturesome: financially capable; educated; accept uncertainty; like gadgets

Early Adopters

Next 13.5%

Respectable: higher socio-economic; well-informed; fashion conscious; change agents

Early majority

Next 34%

Deliberate: cost sensitive; risk averse; off-the-shelf technology; rapid payback periods

Late majority

Next 34%

Skeptical: practical; conformity rather than product benefits; economic necessity

Laggards

Last 16%

Traditional; suspicious; limited resources; high levels of control over where and when to adopt new technology

lower incomes had higher rates of solar uptake than for inner city university educated people on higher incomes.” “The other important feature of the research was it identified important linkages between population characteristics that help to identify the profile of persons acquiring solar PV.”

Key findings The key findings were: • Being over 55 years old was a significant explanatory variable in solar PV uptake; • Having a three or more bedroom home was significant; • Families were more likely to adopt solar PV making the family composition of households as an important variable. “More importantly, the research identified that people in outer suburbs with lower levels of university education and on lower incomes had higher rates of solar uptake than for inner city university educated people on higher incomes,” Dr Sommerfeld revealed. “What this research found was the profile of people has changed as more people acquired solar PV. Being better educated and wealthier were important characteristics in the past but this has now changed.”

Research processes The first stage of the research was undertaken by mapping solar PV adoption during the period from 2008 to 2014 and comparing it to key population characteristics. When this was placed on a map and colour coded, Dr Sommerfeld said it showed three key rings: an inner city zone with the lowest solar PV uptake; a middle ring with medium levels of solar uptake; and an outer ring of middle to low income suburbs with the highest levels of solar uptake. The findings prompted further research which used statistical programs to model the data and examine linkages between the demographic variables and how these changed during this period. Three different methods were used to examine the same data and the findings were cross examined. Each study provided similar responses. Dr Sommerfeld said the well-used Diffusion of Innovation theory helped to explain how consumer profiles changed over time when adopting new technology.

“The highest uptake of solar PV systems is now coming from families, those on low-incomes and with homes of three 50 AUTUMN 2017

bedrooms or more.”

Table 2. Domestic solar PV southeast Queensland 2008 to 2014

Installation year

Solar PV systems

Population %

Diffusion Category

As at July 2008

533

0.04%

Innovators

As at July 2009

5947

0.49%

Innovators

As at July 2010

27,100

2.2%

Innovators

As at July 2011

83,188

6.9%

Early Adopters

As at July 2012

157,849

13.1%

Early Adopters

As at July 2013

229,439

19.1%

Early majority

Table 1 shows each of the categories and the characteristics of people within each category. Dr Sommerfeld said when the theory was applied to solar PV uptake in South East Queensland since 2008, the change in characteristics of consumers could be better explained. “People now acquiring solar PV in South East Queensland would be considered in the early majority of uptake of technology and the personality characteristics from the theory could provide insight into their expectations and how to market solar PV products to them,” he said. “Similarly, the research provides potential insight into the current and future characteristics of people acquiring battery storage technology and other types of energy technology.”

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CEFC & ARENA

Substantial progress Here we report on significant renewable energy developments supported by ARENA and the CEFC that are rewriting the textbook on Australia’s energy mix.

Storage takes on a new dimension

funding recipients with the opportunity to

In a move that ushers in smart energy on a

projects.

grand scale, the CEFC and ARENA are joining

The CEFC will be providing successful ARENA secure long-term debt finance to support their “The objective is that these technologies

forces to accelerate the development of flexible

become commercially deployable without any

capacity and large-scale storage projects that

further government support,” ARENA’s Ivor

enable certainty of energy supply and smooth

Frischknecht emphasised.

integration of renewable energy sources.

Still on storage, ARENA has channeled $4.1

ARENA which expects to allocate at least $20

million to Sydney-based Ecoult to enhance and

million to the successful projects such as battery

fully commercialise its UltraBattery technology,

storage, pumped hydro, concentrated solar

which was originally developed by CSIRO with

thermal, and demand management technology

ARENA’s support.

is now calling for Expressions of Interest.

(More on page 26)

ARENA’s Ivor Frischknecht

Large-scale lift-off

Neoen sign in NSW

The 50 MW Kidston solar farm is the first of six Queensland solar farms to be funded through ARENA’s competitive large-scale solar round destined to change the face of big solar in Australia. ARENA has committed $8.9 million and the CEFC confirmed $54 million in finance towards Phase One of Genex’s $126 million Kidston Solar Project 270 km north west of Townsville. The solar farm is expected to lead to the Phase Two development of a 250 MW pumped hydro storage project on the same site and creates a potential model for other disused mine sites.

In other significant developments ARENA is ploughing $16 million into three big solar projects in NSW that have secured $150 million in debt financing through the CEFC – its most substantial commitment to large-scale solar to date. With a total value of $230 million – and sporting more than 400,000 panels – the solar farms at Dubbo, Parkes and Griffith will deliver 110 MW (AC) and increase NSW large-scale solar capacity by more than 50 per cent. Project owner and developer Neoen has signed commercial PPAs with energy retailer ENGIE. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht joined Queensland’s Energy Minister Mark Bailey, project owner and developer Genex and CEFC at a sod-turning event at the Kidston Solar Projects.

Message for investors The CEFC’s first equity stake in a solar farm – and the first in a series of large-scale solar investments in Queensland this year – comes with the investment of $20 million in the $225 million Ross River Solar Farm near Townsville. The move sends “an important signal to institutional investors about the commercial potential of greenfield clean energy developments”. And on related matters, The CEFC’s Clean Energy Innovation Fund recently staged its first Clean Energy Innovators Demo Day, providing innovative entrepreneurial companies and start-ups with a platform to showcase their technologies and business plans to potential investors. The Fund invests in clean energy businesses that have progressed beyond the research and development stage, but are not yet able to attract sufficient private sector capital.

52 AUTUMN 2017

Green funds for GreenSync To help lower capital costs in the decentralised energy model of the future, the CEFC has committed $5 million to innovative Melbourne-based GreenSync whose technology “acts like the brain and spinal cord of the smart grid, giving industrial and commercial sites, households and businesses access to the appropriate energy source … at the right time, improving reliability and penetration of renewable sources.” GreenSync’s software based decentralised energy exchange (deX) project was developed through ARENA’s ‘A-Lab’ initiative. ARENA is providing $450,000 funding to support the $930,200 pilot project that involves Reposit Power, Mojo Power, United Energy, ActewAGL, ANU, the ACT and Victorian Governments.

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MAY SOLAR & STORAGE EXHIBITORS PREVIEW

AUSTRALIAN Solar and Energy Storage Exhibition & Conference 2017

In this section we introduce you to some of the key exhibitors at this year’s Solar and Storage Conference and Exhibition taking place on May 3 and 4 at the MCEC. (For more details about the Show see pages 12 and 13.)

AlphaESS

Technology WITH ITS MODULAR DESIGN, AlphaESS Storion series Energy Storage System includes a smart energy management system, multi-functional hybrid inverter for different application scenarios, and lithium-ion phosphate batteries (LifePO4) which come with high peak power and a long lifespan. Battery cells are housed in robust metal cans and an intelligent battery management system is integrated into every battery module to maximise battery efficiency and performance. All AlphaESS systems feature a plug & play modular design. Battery capacity can be extended by adding PowerPlug and PowerBank. All Alpha ESS products are German designed and quality controlled.

Service Innovation Alpha ESS provides cloud based services such as monitoring, remote control, and load shifting through web portal and mobile APPs that enable system owners to maximise their PV consumption or store low cost electricity and use during peak hours, with uninterrupted power supplies during grid outage. With its auto generator start function, Alpha ESS users can also go off-grid. The company offers pay-as-you-go options spanning 10 to 20 years covering the full package: system supply & install, maintenance, service, and finance. A calculator on the website facilitates user-friendly estimates of battery storage system capacity and the internal rate of return of installing PV and the energy storage system, along with estimated quarterly energy usage,

54 AUTUMN 2017

targeted self-sufficiency rate and self-consumption rate, estimated day and night time energy usage rate, peak and off-peak energy usage percentage, and the estimated annual energy production. Users can evaluate the rate of return of a future 20-year cashflow based on the solar power system installed, the estimated pay back period of investing such system and the related bill saving percentage. “We tend to do things properly, and it is all about people,” says Dong Lin. “We are all builders of the company, therefore with the right people joining force, we can do everything.”

On the ground Last year Alpha ESS signed a strategic support sponsorship agreement with Shanghai Jiaotong University for participation in Solar Decathlon 2017 using its advanced household energy storage systems and technical guidance.

AC Solar Warehouse

GRANT BEHRENDORFF can see a future where the majority of solar systems installed in Australia use AC Solar technology that he says provides systems owners with a safer, more reliable and higher performing solution capable of managing energy production, storage and consumption. The engineering technologist explains that AC Solar systems, which use microinverters operating at extra low DC voltages, were brought into the mainstream by Enphase Energy in 2008 and launched in Australia in 2013. Today AC Solar Warehouse is the number one distributor of Enphase microinverters in the Asia Pacific region, “and with energy storage in the form of AC Batteries now available, AC Solar Warehouse can offer a complete energy management solution,” said Grant who conducts regular introductory and advanced installer training sessions around the country. “Sometimes when we talk to installers about the benefits of microinverters over conventional DC systems or DC optimisers, we hear ‘well of course you would say microinverters are better, because that’s what you sell’ and we have a bit of a chuckle over this. We actually don’t think microinverters are better because we sell them, it’s actually the other way around: we sell them because we believe they are a better solution!”

managerial proficiency during his 25-year career with Ergon Energy in Queensland overseeing the installation of numerous renewable energy systems. He also managed assets in 33 remote communities in Queensland within Ergon’s Isolated Generation group. For his part Grant has notched up more than 30 years experience in the electricity industry. For six years he led the widely respected Bushlight indigenous renewable energy project and managed a project adapting the Bushlight approach to remote village electrification in India, which collected the prestigious Sir William Hudson award, Engineers Australia’s highest accolade for Engineering Excellence. Grant was Chair of the Alice Springs Solar Cities Consortium from inception in 2005 to conclusion in 2013, and is a Director of Alice Springs based consultancy CAT Projects. The string of achievements does not end there: Grant was named Engineers Australia National Engineering Technologist of the Year in 2007. Meet the crew from AC Solar Warehouse on stand 34 at the Solar and Storage Show on May 3 and 4, at the MCEC.

Depth of experience Both company directors have extensive experience designing and installing residential and commercial PV systems. Electrical engineer David Smyth gained technical and

Solar & Storage 55

MAY SOLAR & STORAGE EXHIBITORS PREVIEW

Surpass Sun Electric (SSE)

SSE in action Whyalla Solar Farm: Late last year SSE Australia's team met with key South Australian local and state government officials to officially launch the construction of the $200 million 120 MW Whyalla solar plant planned to be operative by late 2018. The project could potentially reach a capacity of 150 MW, making it one of the largest solar farms in Australia. It will also help the South Australian government meet its progressive renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2025. Electric vehicles: SSE which is at the forefront of EV technology has been ranked in the top 10 best Electrical Vehicle (EV) chargers providers and in 2016 was officially recognised as one of the most influential EV charger brands in China. “This recognition is a huge deal for SSE and cements our reputation as one of the most influential EV charger brands in China,” the media release reads.

56 AUTUMN 2017

SSE EV chargers are fast or slow charging, wall-mounted, portable, all-in-one, split or integrated and can be used to charge a range of domestic and commercial vehicles. They can be seen at Shanghai Pudong international Airport, where SSE China has set up 20 EV charging stations enabling 20 cars to charge at the same time; and at Shanghai CaoBao Bus Bay, China’s biggest public transport bus bay. SSE’s new energy vehicle charging and power supply systems will soon be available in Australia. Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre: SSE’s SPS 20-30 kW (commercial) solar inverter helped the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre transition to solar energy. The 384 solar panels on the roof of the centre make this one of the largest solar power systems on a local government building, and forms a vital part in the council’s energy efficiency plan. Meeting Standards: SSE Australia is proud to be one of the manufacturers meeting Standards Australia new standard that came into force in October last year. Its SPS 20-30 kW inverter boasts a conversion efficiency rating of 98 per cent.

Going greener The hot topic of energy supply and security has triggered widespread commentary. Here we round-up some noteworthy remarks:

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• Large-scale solar projects to be targeted   • Broadspectrum and MPower to cooperate and collaborate   • Binding MOU signed in Sydney in early February 2017   IN A TIMELY MARKET MOVE, Broadspectrum (Australia) and MPower Projects have formed a new consortium to target large-scale solar projects in Australia.   The consortium brings together two well-established organisations to target the expected future growth in large-scale solar projects.  The parties executed a binding Memorandum of Understanding and will work together to jointly identify, pursue and construct large-scale solar installations in Australia.  Broadspectrum will lead the construction activities and MPower will lead the engineering and design activities, reflecting the strengths each party brings to the consortium.

MPower MPower provides distributed power solutions and products, with particular expertise in renewable energy, hybrid systems and energy storage solutions. The company has a track record of designing and delivering innovative power projects in commercial and industrial settings and in challenging remote locations. MPower’s reputation for reliability in critical applications spans grid connected solar farms; residential and industrial energy storage systems; hybrid energy systems for remote communities; mini-grids and precinct power; grid stability and cloud prediction technologies; and critical power systems for the military and oil and gas environments. MPower has approximately 100 employees across Australia and New Zealand and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tag Pacific Limited.

Broadspectrum has the capacity to invest, build, operate and maintain infrastructure underpinned by its strength of services to a diverse range of sectors. These capabilities are reinforced as part of Ferrovial, a global infrastructure services company with €12.9 billion market capitalisation and 96,000 employees across 24 countries.   Chief Executive Urban Infrastructure, Sandra Dodds said: “We have the experience in build-own-operate projects in the energy sector, and we look forward to using that expertise to deliver large-scale renewable energy infrastructure projects together with MPower. “This new consortium reinforces our strategy to further expand our services in the renewable energy sector.”   MPower has an established track record as a power systems integrator, with a focus on critical power applications. MPower’s experience in the oil and gas and defence industries has in recent years been applied to the renewables sector where MPower has successfully completed many solar and battery storage projects.   Commenting on the MoU, MPower director Nathan Wise said that the collaboration with Broadspectrum aims to accelerate MPower’s growth in the renewables space by targeting larger solar projects than MPower has previously targeted on its own. “MPower has a leading design and engineering capability that can be used across a greater range of projects,” he said. “With Broadspectrum’s decades of experience providing integrated solutions, the collaboration brings a whole new perspective to the projects we can tackle”. For more information visit: www.mpower.com.au

Opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council Opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council 58 AUTUMN 2017

Solar & Storage 49

VALE BILL PARKER

Vale Dr Bill Parker In 1996 Bill founded Renew Editors and Writers and for three years was a partner in video production business Living In the Comfort Zone specialising in sustainability. One of his proudest achievements however was his role as longterm director of Proteomics International, providing services to the pharmaceutical industry in drug testing and accreditation. On the lighter side of life Bill played clarinet and saxophone, featured in TV adverts, was a CFA and also Greens Party volunteer, enthusiast of vintage sports cars, rowing too, and a spot of Morris dancing. Go Bill!

Solar sphere

THE SOLAR COMMUNITY recently lost one of its most colourful characters, Dr Bill Parker. A man of many talents, Bill was possibly best known as the long-term editor of Solar Progress (precursor to Solar & Storage) in both print and digital format. He led the content from 1995 right through until 2014, a remarkable run by a remarkable man. But then Bill’s life experiences are as varied as they are unique. The story starts with Bill the apprentice flute maker in 1960 in London. After spending several years in the broader music industry he turned his attention to science and went to Helsinki University as a lab technician before accepting a position at London University as a senior technician with a microbial genetics group investigating the possible human genetic hazard of ultrasound. Over the decades Bill picked up a string of qualifications including a Higher National Certificate in Applied Biology, Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, Doctor of Philosophy (University of Western Australia) and Graduate Diploma in Media Studies.

Many of the activities listed above overlapped, but Bill’s introduction to the then fledgling solar industry came in 1989 when he took up the role of director and manager of Perth’s Solar Energy Information Centre, founded by Garry Baverstock, which provided information and practical examples of renewable energy and there he published the newsletter Helios. Bill was very much a PV pioneer, being the first to install rooftop PV in WA “Not the best technically but kept up with the demand,” he said. “But then THE TREE grew. Directly to the north on property owned by absentee landlord. Inhabited by squatters. No pruning no felling. “ True to nature he took it in his stride. Amid Bill’s colourful resume we noticed one of his earliest job titles in the 60s was ‘progress chaser’. Though we are not fully sure what that role with Plessey entailed, there seems to be a nice confluence of sorts in his role with Solar Progress in which he chased developments in the solar sphere, hunting down progressive people, innovators, early adopters and more. Throughout his life Bill remained a passionate supporter of solar and mentored many young solar enthusiasts, all of whom benefitted from his tremendous breadth of knowledge. In 2009 Bill became a director of the Australian Solar Council and in 2014 in recognition of his string of achievements he was made a Life Member. One matter we only recently became aware of was Bill’s involvement with DAGS, co-founded with fellow solar stalwarts Garry Baverstock and John Barker. The ‘Dedicated And Gentlemanly Scholars’ evolved into a network of like-minded renewable energy and environmental specialists who regularly met up over a beer or three for a spirited debate. Needless to say Bill will be sadly missed by fellow DAGS and his large circle of friends and colleagues, past and present.

Political advisor, shepherd and doctor

In honour of the Good Doc

Bill was enormously versatile, happy to turn his mind to anything and at one stage the microbiologist who often advised prominent WA politicians about technology enjoyed a short stint as a shepherd and ploughman on the outskirts of Perth before returning to academia and completing his post doctoral fellowship at Murdoch university on the feasibility of alkaline bauxite residue (which translates to red mud, we understand). For the decade from 1987 he was proprietor of Parker & Associates, a private consulting firm in applied microbiology and environmental management related to public health.

The Board of the Solar Council is planning a long-term commemoration in Bill’s name and will be advising members about this at the 55th Solar Conference in Melbourne on May 3 and 4. The timing is appropriate, for Bill had attended every single annual solar conference in the years from 1991 to 2014. Like we say, a solar stalwart like no other. Once more, our condolences to Bill’s wife Ingrid, his other family members and his many friends, supporters and colleagues across Australia. Finally, deepest gratitude from this writer to “lovely Bill” for leading the way.

60 AUTUMN 2017

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SOLAR & ENERGY STORAGE Industry Events Visit www.enfsolar.com to view a bigger list of solar and storage industry conferences

SNEC 11th International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition April 17-21, 2017 Shanghai, China SNEC has become the biggest international PV tradeshow in Asia and across the world. The exhibition scale has evolved from 15,000sqm in 2007 to more than 150,000sqm in 2016 when it attracted 1618 exhibiting companies from 90 countries and regions. The overseas exhibitor ratio is greater than 30 per cent. info@snec.org.cn www.snec.org.cn

FR EE AT TO TE ND

For more information see pages 12 and 13 REGISTER AT www.solar.org.au/conference

Investing in a sustainable solar future. 3-4 April 2017 | Swissotel Sydney As utility solar ramps up in Australia there is now more opportunity than ever to accelerate the deployment of solar across the country. This timely event will explore leading projects underway and planned, and consider investment and financing for future success. The two-day program brings together leading industry experts from around Australia. www.informa.com.au/event/large-scale-solar-conference/

Intersolar Europe

May 3 and 4, 2017 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Australian Solar and Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition 2017

2nd Annual Large Scale Solar Conference

May 30-June 2, 2017 Munich, Germany Intersolar Europe is described as the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners and takes place annually at the Messe München exhibition center in Munich. The event’s exhibition and conference focus on PV, energy storage systems, renewable heating technologies, as well as on products and solutions for smart renewable energy. Around 1200 exhibitors from all over the world are set to present their innovations over 77,000 sqm of exhibition space Founded 25 years ago, Intersolar has become an important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the solar industry. www.intersolar.de

Want to reach thousands involved in solar and storage?

GIVE BRETT A CALL Solar & Storage magazine is read by up to 18,000 industry professionals – designers, project managers, installers, technicians, manufacturers and more. Brett’s name will be familiar to many as he has gained more than seven years publishing and events experience within the solar industry. He now brings his skills and expertise to the Australian Solar Council and the Energy Storage Council across the range of publications as well as events including the industry’s leading show, the May Solar Energy Exhibition and Conference and Energy Storage Council Exhibition and Conference. Speaking from an informed viewpoint, Brett says it’s an exciting time for the industry which is making renewables ever more accessible to communities across Australia while re-shaping the future of energy supplies. With a passion for helping companies to build their brand and market share, Brett looks forward to helping Solar Council and Energy Storage Council members boost their revenues.

Contact Brett on 0402 181 250 or brett@solar.org.au

62 AUTUMN 2017

Solar industry Positive Quality™ and performance THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL’S Positive Quality™

The Positive Quality™ program admits and

program sets rigorous standards that ensure

endorses manufacturers that are independently

manufacturers who achieve and maintain high

tested and verified through plant visits. The

standards are singled out and recognised.

initial assessment consists of a company’s entire

Three prominent panel makers: Jinko, Opal Solar and Perlight Solar meet those high standards and proudly display the Positive Quality™ logo, a symbol

manufacturing processes undergoing independent and intensive inspection and testing. This is carried out by the Solar Council’s specially

of manufacturing excellence, which sends a signal of

appointed Positive Quality™ specialists in a three

confidence to consumers.

step process: Certification check and compliance

Participating manufacturers are fully recognised,

with IEC and Australian standards; Factory inspection

consumers enjoy peace of mind and the industry’s

with a 60-point check; and a Product quality check:

reputation is strengthened, delivering Positive

appearance, IV, EL, Hi-Pot, and leakage current.

Quality™ for all. Australian consumers and businesses can have confidence in the quality of the solar panels they are installing by looking out for the Positive Quality™

Positive Quality™ participants’ premises are then inspected at random every 12 weeks to ensure the continuity of those high standards. All solar PV manufacturers of high quality can participate.

Trustmark. The Solar Council developed the program because

Contact Positive Quality™ Manager

the generic appearance of panels makes it difficult to

Brett Thompson on 0402 181 250,

determine good from bad, unless an identification

email brett@solar.org.au or

mark denotes otherwise. A logo that signifies

visit www.solar.org.au

superior quality.

By displaying the Positive Quality™ logo solar companies convey high standards in panel manufacturing to industry and consumers

Environmental Certificate Traders www.tradeingreen.com.au

1300 894 799

Online lodgement or manual, the choice is yours

3, 10 & 20 day terms for unregistered STCs and VEECs

Bonus and best price options for extended terms

Next day payment terms for registered certificates

No Fees

Great Customer Service

Trade In Green is a registered agent with the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator, we are accredited under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Scheme and the NSW Energy Savings Scheme. We are one of the leading traders across a broad range of environmental certificates. Visit our website and trade with confidence.

Solar Council Corporate Members For full listing of Solar Council Corporate Members see www.solar.org.au

Platinum Members Greenbank Environmental

Heart Energy

360 Energy

Silver Corporate Members DNV-GL

Enphase Energy

Gold Corporate Members ABB All Grid Energy

GCL

Risen Energy (Australia)

Link Energy

SolaX Power

SolarReserve

Sonepar Pacific EnviroGroup Rheem Australia SunPower Corporation Australia Siemens

Our Energy Company

SSE Australia

ASM Money

EPC Solar

Solargain PV

LG Electronics Australia

Environmental Property Services

Apricus Australia

Enernoc

Jinko

Power Diverter

Redback Technologies

Trina Solar (Australia)

Suntech Australia Green Energy Trading

Solar Depot

HID Australia

Solar Juice

Trade in Green

Vermeer

True Value Solar

AUTUMN ADVERTISING CONTENT ADVERTISER ABB All-Grid Energy ASM Money Century Yuasa Batteries CMA Solar DNV GL Energy Super Enphase Energy Fronius GCL GNB Industrial LG Chem LG Electronics Link Energy MPower Our Energy Perlight R & J Batteries Redback Technologies S5 Satec Selectronic Solar Juice SolarWatt Sunpower Trade in Green Trina Solar 64 AUTUMN 2017

PAGE 3 36, 51 5 25 46 53 9 7 Outside Back Cover 15 41 35 Inside Back Cover 39 59 57 11 27 Inside Front Cover 45 49 37 17 29 19 63 47

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