Participants could buy and sell energy at different tariff rates at different times of day, with lower prices to use energy during the middle of the day, when demand was low, and higher rates to sell energy when demand was high. The aim was to help eliminate the ‘duck curve’ effect, and support demand on the grid when needed. Find out more about the trial here.
This Lessons Learnt Report focuses on what the Solar Connect VPP and associated customer trials delivered, in terms of:
1. Engagement strategies with community, solar installers and participants – the incentives, processes and experiences that attracted DER owners to participate in the VPP trial.
2. Tariff design and consumer insights – the value that time-based tariffs targeted at solar PV and batteries owners delivered to these consumers, and whether these tariffs could incentivise grid-supportive behaviours.
3. Operational visibility and control – how the VPP could provide reliable operational visibility and control of DER in response to network demand.
You can also read an additional data snapshot from the trial here.
The Alice Springs Future Grid Project thanks all project partners and stakeholders who participated in this three-year initiative, including customers enrolled in the Solar Connect VPP Trial.