Alice Springs Future Grid was a three-year whole of systems project exploring how Alice Springs can overcome barriers to achieving 50 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030.
As the uptake of rooftop solar panels grows, new pressures have been placed on an electricity system designed for conventional energy generation from gas and diesel. The grid needs to adapt and make allowances for more renewables to be introduced so Alice Springs can meet its clean energy targets.
The landmark Roadmap to 2030 report brings together insights from innovative trials, models and investigations to set out four plausible pathways to upgrade the system for a decarbonised future. It also outlines the next best steps for cross-sector stakeholders, including three key stages of transition.
There will be an in-person Community Launch of the Roadmap on 15 April 2024 at Desert Knowledge Australia, including a tour of the Solar Centre. Find out more about the event and sign up here.
In addition to the Roadmap to 2030, Alice Springs Future Grid completed a number of trials and investigations through five inter-dependent sub-projects. These sub-projects were delivered by a project partner and centrally managed by the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy, and helped inform the Roadmap to 2030. Key outputs include the first Virtual Power Plant trial in the NT, the first islandable microgrid, and the first wind energy energy trial for Alice Springs.
Reports are available from each of the sub-projects in the Knowledge Bank.
Multiple organisations were involved in the $12.5m project from across the Northern Territory and Australia. It’s hoped this world-leading project will pave the way for other grids in Australia and around the world as to take action for a more sustainable future.
The Alice Springs Future Grid project is supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Australian Government through the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund — Microgrids Program, and the Northern Territory Government through the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy.
Connect with us: info@alicespringsfuturegrid.com.au | 1800 ALICE VPP (1800 254 238) | Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn
Knowledge Bank
Central Australia has a strong history of renewable energy innovation. This website has been created not only to support the Alice Springs Future Grid project, but also as a repository for existing and emerging renewable energy knowledge. Sharing knowledge is a prominent part of Future Grid. Our Knowledge Bank hosts reports, discussion papers, policies, media releases and much more.
Alice Springs Roadmap to 2030
Mar 2024
The Roadmap to 2030 is the product of three years of trials and research carried out by multiple project partners. It pulls together insights from the Alice Springs Future Grid sub-projects and lays out four pathways to achieving 50% renewable generation by 2030.
Type: Report Future Grid publication Format: PDF
Techno-Economic Modelling Report
Mar 2024
This report details the results of Ekistica’s techno-economic modelling work. This work guided some of the thinking behind the Roadmap to 2030. It includes analysis of the existing power system infrastructure and looks at likely challenges that could emerge during a transition, among other considerations.
Type: Report Future Grid publication Format: PDF Excel
Lessons learnt from the Solar Connect Virtual Power Plant Trial
2024
A Virtual Power Plant is a collection of solar and battery storage systems that work together to allow coordinated control of energy to benefit all. The Solar Connect VPP trial, part of Sub-project 4 and managed by Jacana Energy, was the first of its kind in the NT and connected 48 participants.
Type: Report Future Grid publication Format: PDF
Lessons learnt from the Public Housing Solar and Battery Trial
2024
The Public Housing Solar and Battery Trial saw the installation of rooftop solar panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS) at 15 public housing homes in Alice Springs. Working with a range of partners, it looked at the barriers and solutions to integrating renewables into public housing, aiming to inform future solar projects of this kind across the NT and Australia.
Type: Report Future Grid publication Format: PDF
Regulatory Framework for Commercial Microgrids on Regulated NT Networks
Apr 2024
This report is based on observations from the first ever installation of a commercial, ‘islandable’ microgrid in Alice Springs at the Desert Knowledge Precinct. The installation has provided key data on the potential benefits and constraints of integrating a microgrid based on solar PV and a battery energy storage system (BESS) on to a constrained, regulated, power network. It highlights how the current system, regulation framework and associated connection process may need to change to more easily integrate private microgrids.
Type: Report Future Grid publication Format: PDF