Alice Springs faces complex challenges to increasing the amount of renewable energy in its power system. The barriers are mainly technical, regulatory, and economic. Solutions can be found in these areas, as well as through community engagement. Taking financial limitations into consideration, we wanted to investigate the best use of existing infrastructure, complemented by new technologies.
Alice Springs Future Grid carried out a series of innovative trials, models and investigations looking across these different areas and bringing together a broad range of partners. The sub-projects were interdependent and designed to holistically transform Alice Springs into a robust, dynamic, and renewable ‘future grid’.
Alice Springs Roadmap to 2030
A key deliverable of the project has been the Roadmap to 2030 report, which will help guide government policy and the implementation of recommended interventions to reach the 2030 target. The Roadmap was informed by the different sub-projects and considered four scenarios to reach the 50% renewable energy target.
Techno-economic modelling led by Ekistica (Sub-project 1)
As the amount of renewable energy in the Alice Springs grid increases, interventions are required to reduce thermal generation (e.g. gas and diesel), while maintaining the stability of the electricity system. Modelling is crucial before significant changes are made to optimise outcomes and avoid system disruptions. This sub-project on system modelling, led by Ekistica, investigated technical challenges, as well as accounting for financial and consumer behaviour – factors rarely included in technical models.
» Read the full Techno-Economic Modelling Report
Sub-project 1 also included a behavioural study, based on a whole of town community survey and a wind study. Both of these studies informed the techno-economic modelling and Roadmap.
Commercial microgrid installation at the Desert Knowledge Precinct (Sub-project 2)
Privately operated renewable energy microgrids may play an important role in future grid systems. A key feature of a microgrid is the ability to operate independently from the main grid and to potentially “island” for periods of time. Grid-connected microgrids based on renewable energy are not common in regulated networks.
This sub-project saw the first ever commercial microgrid installed in Alice Springs at the Desert Knowledge Precinct. The team sought to identify the technical and regulatory barriers of the current system to the design, installation, and operational process of the microgrid, and understand liabilities for supply during periods of disconnection from the network.
» Read the full Regulatory Framework for Commercial Microgrids on Regulated NT Networks
Community Solutions (Sub-project 3)
The consistent enthusiasm of Alice Springs residents for rooftop solar is accelerating the need to provide extra support to the electricity network through the installation of household batteries. As well as storing energy for later use, batteries can provide other services crucial to power system operation. When multiple batteries are linked through a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), such services can be bundled up and directed by the system controller to suit supply and demand.
Community engagement for Alice Springs Future Grid was delivered under sub-project 3, led by the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC). Its purpose was to keep the community informed about project activities, foster positive relationships and offer chances for participation and learning. This included engagement for the Virtual Power Plant, including the recruitment of those who installed and configured the VPP droplets at customer sites.
» Read the lessons learnt report from community engagement
A public housing trial was also carried out as part of this sub-project, with the installation of 15 rooftop solar panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS) at public housing homes in Alice Springs. The majority saw a significant drop in energy costs.
» Read the lessons learnt report from the public housing trial
Tariff Reform (Sub-project 4)
The Tariff Reform sub-project was led by Jacana Energy and included the set up and delivery of the Solar Connect VPP, the first of its kind in the Northern Territory.
While Northern Territory Government policy determines the tariffs that Jacana can provide, the testing and development of new tariff rates remained important.
Tariffs were a useful tool in changing energy usage patterns. The tariff reform sub-project explored options and variations, for time-of-use electricity tariffs and a monthly VPP participation credit. Tariff trials helped the team learn how and why customers responded to different prices and incentives, and the effect of their altered behaviour on the power system.
» Read the lessons learnt report from the Virtual Power Plant trial
Future Grid Deployments (Sub-project 5 )
This multi-faceted sub-project culminated in the delivery of the ‘Roadmap towards 2030’ report for Alice Springs. This identifies the optimal pathways and timelines for achieving the Northern Territory’s target of 50% renewable energy by 2030, on the Alice Springs grid. Various technical investigations were delivered under this sub-project, led by the Power and Water Corporation.
Additional activities included enhanced forecasting of solar and load, a dynamic export trial for sites that are typically limited in the amount of solar power they can export, and the exploration of new dynamic operational procedures. The aim was to provide more options for System Control to minimise the amount of thermal generation (i.e. gas and diesel) required.
Part of Alice Springs Future Grid’s legacy will be the continued collaboration between these partners, as well as an informed and engaged community.
Alice Springs Future Grid was a consortium led project with partners including DKA, DKRI, Ekistica, Territory Generation and Power Water Corporation (Power and Water). The Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy led delivery of the project across five sub-projects, each led by a project partner, including the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC), Jacana Energy, Power and Water and Ekistica.
Part of Alice Springs Future Grid’s legacy will be the continued collaboration between these partners, as well as an informed and engaged community.