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PowerBank trial to revolutionise bulk battery storage in WA homes

Energy Minister Ben Wyatt has announced an exciting new trial by Western Power and Synergy, which will make battery storage more accessible and manageable for Western Australians.

  • Australian-first trial to integrate bulk battery storage into existing grid
  • A 105kW (420kWh) battery will be installed in the City of Mandurah and accessed by 52 families in Meadow Springs
  • Collaboration between Government-owned Western Power and Synergy
  • Customers will be allocated a maximum of 8kWH of virtual storage at the cost of $1 per day

The PowerBank trial will be the first time in Australia that a utility-scale battery is integrated into an already-established major metropolitan network, to allow a shared storage service to meet an individual customer's needs.

A 105kW (420kWh) Tesla battery will be owned and operated by Western Power and Synergy and connected to the grid in Meadow Springs, allowing households with solar panels to maximise their existing grid connection.

Customers participating in the 24-month trial will be able to virtually store excess power they generate during the day from their solar PV systems in the battery, and then draw down on that power during the peak evening period.

These customers will be able to use 8kWhs of the PowerBank battery storage without having to outlay upfront costs for a behind the meter battery storage system. 8kWhs is enough to power the average suburban home for over one hour during peak time.

PowerBank trial participants will be given greater access to their usage patterns and daily storage data online via the Synergy website, while maintaining reliability of supply from their Western Power grid connection during overcast days.

Homes taking part in the trial will not be locked into the program, which will allow them continuing flexibility and choice in deciding how they meet their individual electricity needs.

Customers will also receive a quarterly activity statement advising of savings to date, using a system developed by Synergy.

The recruitment of participants for the trial will start today (October 17) with Synergy contacting those eligible by mail.

 

Comments attributed to Energy Minister Ben Wyatt:

 

"PowerBank is an 'in front of the meter' storage trial which allows invited local customers to store excess electricity from already installed solar PV systems to then use it during peak times.

"This is another Australian milestone for the application of utility-scale batteries for the benefit for customers, drawing on the groundbreaking work by Synergy in its Alkimos Beach energy storage trial.

"For the first time in Australia, a utility-scale battery will be integrated into an established suburb's network, like Meadow Springs, that has a high level of existing solar PV uptake.

"At the cost of one dollar a day, customers will have access to 8kWh of battery storage to use any time after 3pm each day.

"This trial shows that the WA Government is serious about working with renewables, delivering for taxpayers and planning for our energy future."