Knowledge Bank

The pur­pose of this site is to offer a ded­i­cat­ed space to hold infor­ma­tion rel­e­vant to Cen­tral Aus­trali­a’s strong renew­able ener­gy his­to­ry, and its tran­si­tion towards a renew­able ener­gy future. The mate­ri­als are host­ed by the Intyal­heme Cen­tre for Future Ener­gy in the spir­it of knowl­edge shar­ing and transparency.

The Alice Springs Future Grid Knowl­edge Bank aims to pro­vide access to doc­u­ments and infor­ma­tion, both his­tor­i­cal and con­tem­po­rary. By build­ing on lessons from the past, we can work towards a renew­able ener­gy future for the North­ern Ter­ri­to­ry. Pre­serv­ing knowl­edge can also help to mit­i­gate the effects of cor­po­rate mem­o­ry loss caused by pop­u­la­tion tran­sience — a wide­ly acknowl­edged chal­lenge for the NT

Project out­puts from Alice Springs Future Grid can be viewed by choos­ing Future Grid pub­li­ca­tion” in the doc­u­ment type drop­down menu. 

Intyal­heme wel­comes feed­back, but accepts no respon­si­bil­i­ty for the con­tent sup­port­ed by the Knowl­edge Bank. Intyal­heme is care­ful to work with­in copy­right laws. Please don’t hes­i­tate to bring to our atten­tion any unintentional/​possible breaches. 

Intyal­heme invites ideas for fur­ther doc­u­ments that are rel­e­vant to renew­able ener­gy in Cen­tral Aus­tralia. Please get in touch with your suggestions. 

Roadmap to 2030 - Public Release

Alice Springs Future Grid Roadmap to 2030 — Pub­lic Release Host­ed by CSIRO

CSIRO

2023

Power systems around the world are experiencing significant change. The transition to decarbonised renewable energy sources and widespread consumer adoption of new energy technologies such as rooftop solar panels and electric vehicles is introducing both new opportunities and operational challenges. The Alice Springs power system has the opportunity to be on the leading edge of this global transformation. The Alice Springs Roadmap to 2030 Report, Roadmap to 2030 is a capstone project of the Alice Springs Future Grid and is designed to help diverse stakeholders understand the need for change and explore different ways the transition may occur. Without seeking to ‘predict’ the future, the Roadmap sets out pathways for achieving 50% renewable generation by 2030 and the recommended phases which are resilient across the most plausible future developments. Join Lyndon Frearson - Alice Springs Future Grid Project Director. Ekistica an some of the Sub Project Leads (TBC) as we showcase the report to you. We’ll be demonstrating how the report will answer questions like? • How has Alice Springs traditionally been powered? • How is Alice Springs’ power system changing and why? • What might Alice Springs’ future power system look like? • What are the risks and opportunities of Alice Springs’ power system transformation? This live session includes a Q&A session about the report.

Type: Presentation   Format: Video

All Eyes on Alice for Renewable Energy.

ALL EYES ON ALICE FOR RENEW­ABLE ENERGY

Territory Q

2023

All Eyes on Alice for Renewable Energy In a rapidly changing technical environment, it can be hard to distil what the Energy Future will hold, but one thing is for sure, we are in the middle of an energy revolution.

Type: Media coverage   Format: URL

Public Housing Solar Trial

Alice Springs pub­lic hous­ing solar tri­al kicks off

Northern Territory Government

May 2023

Fifteen Alice Springs households are taking part in a new public housing solar and battery trial.

Type: Media release   Format: URL

Solar Connect VPP launch

Solar Con­nect VPP launched

Northern Territory Government , Alice Springs Future Grid

Oct 2022

The Alice Springs Future Grid project is proud to announce that operation of the Solar Connect Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is underway. It is the first VPP in the Northern Territory. Click through for Ministerial media release (Ministers Uibo and Paech) and project release.

Type: Media release   Format: PDF URL

Energy Magazine feature

Alice Springs Future Grid: lessons for the NEM of tomorrow

Alice Springs Future Grid

Sep 2022

Energy Magazine feature on the Alice Springs Future Grid project, written by Future Grid communications officer Andrea Johnston.

Type: Media coverage   Format: URL

BESS procured, to form local microgrid

Desert Knowl­edge Precinct to wel­come large-scale bat­tery for inno­v­a­tive trial

Alice Springs Future Grid

Jun 2022

The Alice Springs Future Grid project is procuring a 300kW/358kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) which will facilitate the transformation of the Desert Knowledge Precinct into a local microgrid.

Type: Media release   Format: PDF

SwitchDin announced as VPP tech provider

Ener­gy Man­age­ment Tech­nol­o­gy ven­dor appoint­ed to deliv­er NT’s first Vir­tu­al Pow­er Plant

Alice Springs Future Grid , SwitchDin

Jun 2022

Alice Springs Future Grid has appointed SwitchDin to deliver the technology that links solar and battery systems across Alice Springs, creating the Solar Connect Virtual Power Plant (VPP). The Solar Connect VPP provides an opportunity for the community to be involved in one of Future grid’s innovative trials.

Type: Media release   Format: PDF

CDU to undertake inverter testing

Media Release: Res­i­den­tial Invert­er Tri­al at CDU tech­ni­cal facility

Charles Darwin University , Alice Springs Future Grid

May 2022

The Alice Springs Future Grid project has teamed up with Charles Darwin University (CDU) to test the capacity of battery and solar inverters to provide support services to the electricity grid. Testing will be undertaken at CDU’s Renewable Energy Microgrid Hub for Applied Research and Training (REMHART) in Darwin The primary technology tested will be three residential inverters – the devices that convert energy generated from solar panels and batteries into electricity suitable for use in the grid.

Type: Media release   Format: PDF

Alice Drives Future Grid

Ter­ri­to­ry Q: Alice Dri­ves Future Grid

Territory Q

Apr 2022

A feature in Northern territory business and industry publication, Territory Q, outlining how the Alice Springs community’s embrace of renewable energy has driven the urgent need to prepare for a clean energy future. Published in Q2, 2022. Picture courtesy of Chloe Erlich/Territory Q.

Type: Media coverage   Format: PDF URL

Low socio-economic study undertaken

Advitech appoint­ed to con­duct low socio-eco­nom­ic study

Advitech

Apr 2022

Engineering and environmental consulting firm Advitech has been appointed by the Alice Springs Future Grid project to investigate how lower socio-economic demographics can participate in and benefit from the transition to clean energy.

Type: Media release   Format: URL

Fact Sheet: Time to install a battery?

Fact Sheet: Time to install a battery?

Arid Lands Environment Centre , Alice Springs Future Grid

2022

If you are considering adding a battery to an existing solar system, or as part of a new solar installation. You may be wondering if the cost is worth it? This fact sheet, produced by Future Grid's Community Engagement Partner, the Arid Lands Environment Centre, provides a short guide to some of the factors you may want to consider when investing in a battery.

Type: Fact Sheets   Format: PDF

Fact Sheet: Upgrading a solar system

Fact Sheet: Upgrad­ing an age­ing solar system

Arid Lands Environment Centre , Alice Springs Future Grid

2022

There are many reasons to consider upgrading an ageing solar system - particularly if your system was installed more than 10 years ago. This fact sheet, produced by Future Grid's Community Engagement Partner, the Arid Lands Environment Centre, covers some factors to consider including system size and age, metering arrangements, feed-in tariffs and other rebates.

Type: Fact Sheets   Format: PDF

Solar Connect webinar video

Solar Con­nect webinar

Arid Lands Environment Centre , Alice Springs Future Grid , Jacana Energy

Feb 2022

The Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) hosted a webinar about the Solar Connect VPP trial, including talks from Alice Springs Future Grid Project Manager Hannah Farrow, and sub-project leads Hayley Michener (ALEC) and Perrine Orlandini (Jacana Energy).

Type: Event details   Format: URL

Media Release: Refer a Friend

Media release: Tell your friends about the Solar Con­nect VPP

Arid Lands Environment Centre , Alice Springs Future Grid

Feb 2022

Residents of Alice Springs are being urged to get talking to their friends and neighbours about the forthcoming Solar Connect VPP trial, earning them the chance to pocket $150. (NB time-limited offer now closed).

Type: Media release   Format: PDF

Media release: Solar Connect VPP trial

Ground-break­ing renew­able ener­gy tri­al encour­ag­ing participation

Alice Springs Future Grid

Nov 2021

The Alice Springs Future Grid project is creating the Northern Territory’s first residential Virtual Power Plant (VPP). The VPP trial, named Solar Connect, is the most prominent public-facing activity of the Future Grid project, intended to run for up to a year.

Type: Media release Future Grid publication   Format: PDF

Media release: Wind Monitoring Study

Wind Mon­i­tor­ing Study Under­way in Alice Springs

Northern Territory Government

Oct 2021

A media release by Northern Territory Minster for Renewables and Energy, Eva Lawler, regarding the Alice Springs Future Grid Wind Monitoring Study.

Type: Media release Future Grid publication   Format: URL

Lessons Learnt: Building collaboration

Lessons Learnt #2: Build­ing a mul­ti-stake­hold­er partnership

CSIRO , Alice Springs Future Grid

Oct 2021

Future Grid’s Partners are a multi-level stakeholder collective, directed by a consortium. This Lessons Learnt Report provides an overview of the development of a large collaborative project with multiple stakeholder organisations. The organisations involved in Future Grid are primarily energy industry stakeholders. Community organisations also play a vital role in engaging residents to get involved in the project, including through trials involving household batteries and other technologies.

Type: Future Grid publication   Format: URL

Future Grid presentation to the KIS

DKRI Knowl­edge Inter­sec­tions Sym­po­sium — Future Grid knowl­edge sharing

Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy , Alice Springs Future Grid

Sep 2021

Intyalheme Project Manager Hannah Farrow delivered an update on one of the critical components of the Alice Springs Future Grid project at the Knowledge Intersections Symposium. She focused on Future Grid’s knowledge sharing efforts, which are mostly conducted as part of its commitment to funding body ARENA (the Australian Renewable Energy Agency).

Type: Future Grid publication   Format: PDF

Alice Springs power demand forecast

Alice Springs pow­er sys­tem demand forecast

Northern Territory Government , Power and Water Corporation

Aug 2021

A new power demand forecast is available for Alice Springs, via the Northern Territory Electricity System Market Operator website: ntesmo.com.au. It provides Power and Water’s System Control with an additional tool to help manage the system with regard to incorporating renewable energy. Prediction of solar generation and the outputs of behind-the-meter installations assists in maintaining system security and stability. Within this post you can find both the website, and the Northern Territory Government media release. This demand forecast achieves a recommendation of the Utilities Commission Independent Investigation of Alice Springs System Black Incident on 13 October 2019.

Type: Website post   Format: URL

NT Electrcity Outlook Report

Util­i­ties Com­mis­sion NT Elec­tric­i­ty Outlook

Utilities Commission

2021

The Utilities Commission's 2020 Northern Territory Electricity Outlook Report focuses on the system demand and supply reliability outlook for the Darwin-Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek power systems. This is relevant to the Alice Springs Future Grid project in a number of ways. Indeed, the report starts by stating the electricity industry is experiencing a rapid transformation, driven by strong uptake of rooftop solar PV. More information regarding the report can be found on the UC's Electricity Outlook Report page. Prior to 2017-18, this information was contained within the UC's Power System Review.

Type: Report   Format: URL

Lessons Learnt: Project Execution

Lessons Learnt #1: Project Execution

CSIRO , Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy , Alice Springs Future Grid

Jun 2021

This Lessons Learnt report provides an outline of the Alice Springs Future Grid project; with an emphasis on the early phase of project execution. With Partners from all over the Northern Territory and Australia, Future Grid relies on strong relationships and deep discussions that are typically best held in person. The COVID-19 pandemic brought entirely unforeseen challenges into the project, most notably that such face-to-face interactions would now be limited. This document seeks to share the experience of launching a project of this magnitude at such a time in history, in the hope that other similar projects will benefit from the path forged by the Future Grid team. Future Grid public documents are accessible both on this knowledge bank and via the dedicated Alice Springs Future Grid ARENA project page.

Type: Future Grid publication   Format: PDF URL

Future Grid overview

Alice Springs Future Grid — project overview pamphlet

CSIRO , Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy , Alice Springs Future Grid

Mar 2021

As part of its ARENA funding, the Alice Springs Future Grid project fulfils "knowledge sharing" obligations. This helps the project, and ARENA, to make sure knowledge is able to be used as widely as possible. This publication is a six-page pamphlet, designed to provide a high-level overview of the Future Grid project, for use by both the public and industry. It was produced by the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy with support from CSIRO, the Knowledge Sharing Partner for Alice Springs Future Grid. Future Grid public documents are accessible both on this knowledge bank and via the dedicated Alice Springs Future Grid ARENA project page.

Type: Future Grid publication   Format: PDF URL

Alice Springs Future Grid launch

Nation­al launch of Alice Springs Future Grid

Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy

Aug 2020

Alice Springs Future Grid was launched on Friday August 14, with press releases from Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Type: Media release   Format: URL

Solar Waste Study by CDU and partners

Charles Darwin University

Jul 2020

“End-of-Life Management of Solar PV Panels” project by Charles Darwin University Northern Institute Research Fellow Dr Deepika Mathur and project partners.

Type: Report   Format: PDF URL

NT Renewable Hydrogen Strategy

NT Renew­able Hydro­gen Strategy

Northern Territory Government

Jul 2020

This is the Northern Territory's first ever Renewable Hydrogen Strategy. As the international community seeks innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a growing demand for clean, reliable and flexible energy solutions like hydrogen. The Territory is well placed to position itself at the forefront of the developing renewable hydrogen industry with large areas of land with high solar irradiance, close proximity to export markets, an established world-scale energy production and export industry and a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Type: Report   Format: PDF URL