Enabled by Horizon Power’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS), Smart Connect Solar has been completed ahead of schedule, enabling the regional energy provider to achieve its strategic goal of ensuring there are zero customer refusals when connecting rooftop solar by 2025.

Related article: Smart Connect Solar technology expands to Broome

The program has now been expanded to all towns in Horizon Power’s service area. The technology is providing thousands more households and businesses, in Horizon Power’s service area, with the opportunity to install rooftop solar and access the benefits of renewable energy.

Smart Connect Solar has delivered critical technical capabilities enabling Horizon Power to remove solar hosting capacity constraints. Previously, the number of solar installations had to be limited to ensure the security and reliability of power supply.

DERMS technology analyses weather patterns, power system conditions and renewable energy resources and uses this data to coordinate power flows to ensure the electricity network can operate safely and reliably at all times—maximising renewable energy output and benefits for Horizon Power’s customers.

In addition to rooftop solar, DERMS will enable Horizon Power to safely and reliably integrate and balance energy across customer energy resources like batteries and electric vehicles.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “Horizon Power established the strategic goal of zero customer refusals when connecting rooftop solar by 2025, to solve the technical challenges preventing customer access to rooftop solar.

Related article: Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar expands to NWIS

“Achieving this goal creates more customer choice to participate in renewable energy and ways to reduce energy bills. The advanced DERMS technology underpinning Smart Connect Solar will also improve the safety and stability of our systems as they evolve to incorporate greater levels of clean energy.

“We are proud to have completed the roll-out of Smart Connect Solar ahead of schedule, so that thousands of additional customers can reap the benefits of renewables, including reduced energy bills, earlier than expected.”

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Related article: Horizon Power community partnerships recipients announced

The program provides $1.1 million each financial year to community organisations, events and initiatives making a positive impact in our regional communities. It aims to support not-for-profit organisations and local governments, enriching the lives of residents within Horizon Power’s service area, which includes the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid West, Esperance and Goldfields regions.

Partnerships of up to $10,000 are available to successful applicants of initiatives within a single Horizon Power region and up to $50,000 for organisations that impact multiple regional communities.

In July 2023, Horizon Power took responsibility for the delivery of power for 117 Aboriginal communities in remote Western Australia. Since then, it has supported numerous remote communities with over $45,000 in partnerships, including Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre, Far North Community Services, Mulan Aboriginal Corporation and the Cycling Development Foundation.

Organisations based in or supporting these remote communities are encouraged to apply for a Horizon Power Community Partnership.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “The relationships we have with our regional communities are invaluable. The Community Partnerships Program is a way for us to strengthen these relationships, working together to achieve shared goals and create lasting impacts.

Related article: Horizon boosts solar access in Gascoyne and Mid West

“Our towns are made up of so many passionate people who work tirelessly to support their communities. The programs and events they run are making a real difference to the lives of many people and we are proud to be able to support them,” she said.

Applications for the latest round of partnerships close on August 19, 2024.

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Related article: Hydrogen heads meet in nation’s capital to discuss priorities

The project, which is now fully operational, includes a 704kW solar farm, 348kW hydrogen electrolyser and a 100kW fuel cell located in Denham, providing an innovative alternative to diesel generators. It is expected to offset 140,000 litres of diesel each year.

The unique integration of renewable energy and hydrogen components sets the project apart from others in Australia.

The Public Knowledge Sharing Report will help to advance learnings in technology, costs, regulatory requirements as well as the community sentiment around using hydrogen as a fuel source.

It will be used to determine how hydrogen technology can be applied in other remote microgrids.

The project was funded by the Western Australian Government, including through the Renewable Hydrogen Fund and Horizon Power, and ARENA‘s Advancing Renewables Program.

WA Premier Roger Cook said, “I want to see WA become a renewable energy powerhouse, and hydrogen will have an important role to play in our clean energy future.

“This innovative project helps to reduce our reliance on diesel in remote areas, delivering cleaner, affordable and reliable power for Denham.

Related article: Aussie breakthrough to slash green hydrogen costs by 40%

“The knowledge we’ve gained through this pilot project will help to guide future remote uses of renewable hydrogen across WA and the rest of the nation.”

The post Findings shared from Australia’s first hydrogen microgrid appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Horizon Power is using state-of-the-art technology, known as a Distributed Energy Management System (DERMS), to increase access to renewable energy for these towns, while improving the safety and stability of the state’s electricity network.

Related article: Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar expands to NWIS

Horizon Power’s DERMS utilises analytics to consider weather patterns, power system conditions and renewable energy resources. The technology’s advanced algorithms then use this data to coordinate and dynamically optimise the power system to maximise renewable energy and benefits for our customers.

This innovative approach ensures the power system remains safe and secure and enables the removal of hosting capacity constraints in regional towns, which have previously limited the number of solar installations.

Smart Connect Solar is providing thousands of additional residential and business customers the opportunity to install rooftop solar and realise energy bill savings.

By September 2024, the technology will have been delivered to all towns in Horizon Power’s service area. This includes towns in the Pilbara, Kimberley, Gascoyne, Mid West and the Esperance and Goldfields regions.

Smart Connect Solar was launched in Carnarvon in February. Since then, it has expanded to towns in the North West Interconnected System (NWIS), including Karratha, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Point Samson, Cossack and Roebourne, and has been introduced to 20 towns in the Kimberley, Gascoyne and Mid West and Esperance and Goldfields regions.

Related article: Horizon Power trial to test vehicle-to-grid charging potential

In May 2024, the technology was also introduced in Broome, providing more than 6000 homes and businesses in the Kimberley town with the option to install rooftop solar.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “Smart Connect Solar provides us with critical technical capabilities so we can deliver on our commitment of ensuring there are zero customer refusals when connecting rooftop solar by 2025, across our networks.”

The post Horizon boosts solar access in Gascoyne and Mid West appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Related article: UGL wins Western Power electrical maintenance contract

With anticipated industrial growth in the Pilbara and an expected load increase of more than 140% by 2045, the project is key to achieving an integrated energy grid and providing renewable energy for both existing and new industries in the region.

The Pilbara Green Link involves the installation of 550km of high-voltage 330kV transmission lines intended to connect Horizon Power’s current transmission infrastructure with the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) and other proposed large scale renewable developments. This connection will enable the provision of green energy to consumers in Port Hedland and the Central Pilbara.

GHD is responsible for delivery of the preliminary design of the transmission lines and substations, with the preliminary engineering phase scheduled for completion by March 2025.

Aligned with the Western Australian Government’s Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy, which has identified decarbonising the North West Interconnected System as a priority to meet Western Australia’s 2050 net zero emission targets, the Pilbara Green Link is set to transform the energy landscape in North West Western Australia.

Related article: Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar expands to NWIS

It marks a significant step in transitioning the Pilbara region towards a low-carbon future, driving economic prosperity and the activation of Strategic Industrial Areas, including Boodarie in Port Hedland and Maitland in Karratha.

The post GHD named engineer for WA’s Pilbara Green Link appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

The program has awarded almost $4.5 million to more than 450 initiatives in regional WA since 2020.

Related article: Applications open for Horizon Power’s community grants

Recipients of the latest round include the Country Women’s Association in Derby, Carnarvon Golf Club and Esperance Soccer Association, with the funding to support upgrading their club facilities to better serve their members.

Events such as the Meekatharra Outback Festival, Denham’s Beats in the Bay and the Munumburra Festival in Wyndham will also receive funding.

Meanwhile, the state’s diversity will be celebrated with support for initiatives such as the Pilbara Pride Festival in Port Hedland and the Kepa Kurl Youth NAIDOC Ball in Esperance.

The state government, through Horizon Power, provides $1.1 million each financial year to regional community initiatives and events, with $542,575 awarded to 66 regional organisations in October 2023.

Applications for the program’s next round will open in mid-July, with further details available here.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “Horizon Power values its relationships with passionate community members and organisations in our regions.

“These community members are responsible for developing and delivering innovative grassroots programs and events which are making a valuable contribution to our regions.

Related article: ActewAGL opens 2024 Community Grants program

“Our Community Partnerships Program enables these initiatives to deliver positive outcomes and empower our communities.”

The full list of recipients is available here.

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The state-of-the-art technology is increasing access to renewable energy in towns in regional Western Australia, while improving the safety and stability of the state’s electricity network. It is part of a state-wide program which was launched by Horizon Power in February.

Related article: Energy bill relief for vulnerable West Kimberley households

Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar project removes hosting capacity constraints in Broome, which have previously limited the number of solar installations across the town.

This will provide thousands of additional customers the opportunity to install rooftop solar and realise energy bill savings, while improving the safety and stability of the state’s electricity network.

In March 2022, Broome reached capacity for the number of rooftop solar systems it could safely have on the network without it becoming unstable from too much solar. The Smart Connect Solar technology will provide more than 6,000 homes and businesses in the Kimberley town with the option to install rooftop solar and realise energy bill savings.

Smart Connect Solar launched in February in Carnarvon. Last month, the technology was rolled out to Karratha, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Point Samson, Cossack and Roebourne, in the Pilbara.

It was also introduced to 20 towns in the Kimberley, Mid West and Gascoyne and Esperance and Goldfields regions. This included Derby, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Lombadina, Kalumburu, Warmun, Coral Bay, Cue, Meekatharra, Wiluna, Yalgoo, Hopetoun, Laverton, Leonora, Norseman, Camballin, Ardyaloon, Beagle Bay, Bidyadanga and Nullagine.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “The demand for solar has been high in Broome and having the hosting constraints removed will mean thousands of additional customers will have the opportunity to benefit from rooftop solar.

Related article: Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar expands to NWIS

“Since its launch in February, Smart Connect Solar has quickly extended to towns across our footprint, including those in the NWIS and a further 20 towns. Our next step is to introduce the technology to Exmouth, Sandstone, Denham, Gascoyne Junction and Mount Magnet, which will happen in Q3 2024.

“By the end of the year, we will have deployed this cutting-edge technology to all our service areas, so that thousands of additional Western Australians can reap the benefits of rooftop solar.”

The post Smart Connect Solar technology expands to Broome appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Horizon Power is conducting the trial, which is Western Australia’s first trial of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability to test the capability of its management system and to allow EVs to act as mobile energy storage solutions.

Related article: Energy bill relief for vulnerable West Kimberley households

If successful, V2G could help power homes, reduce power bills, and stabilise the electricity grid.

Horizon Power will commence the 12-month trial this month, in partnership with the Gascoyne Development Commission, Shire of Exmouth, Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and WA Country Health Service, which operates Exmouth Hospital.

Each will receive a Nissan Leaf EV equipped with V2G smart-charging equipment and will be encouraged to use the vehicles as normal.

Exmouth was selected as its tourism-reliant economy means energy consumption fluctuates due to daily and seasonal demand, especially during school holiday periods.

The trial’s outcomes will enable Horizon Power to understand how automated orchestration of Distributed Energy Resource (DER) assets can help increase and optimise the use of renewable energy through EVs while maintaining network reliability.

Jet Charge will supply the V2G WallBox Quasar smart charger to be used for the trial, with a local Exmouth electrical contractor to provide support and maintenance for it as required.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “As EV ownership increases, orchestration of DER, represents one of the largest enablers of the energy transition.

Related article: V2G virtual power plant begins operation at Flinders Uni

“The EV Orchestration Trial will provide us with valuable insights around whether our customers’ next cars can help power their homes, keep downward pressure on their power bills and help stabilise our electricity grid.

“Horizon Power is committed to exploring this innovative technology to provide customers with more choice and to prepare for the anticipated increase in power supply in response to residential, fleet, and visitor EV charging needs within regional WA.”

The post Horizon Power trial to test vehicle-to-grid charging potential appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Related article: Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar expands to NWIS

The 910-panel, 364kW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, equivalent to the capacity of about 60 home solar systems, has been switched on at the Kimberley hospital.

WA’s regional energy provider, Horizon Power, installed the state-of-the-art solar system in partnership with WA Country Health Service.

Modelling forecasts the system will lead to a $70,000 per annum reduction in variable energy costs for the hospital and reduce the hospital’s annual energy consumption by 24 per cent, in turn cutting its carbon emissions by about 300 tonnes per year.

Installation of the solar system builds on the state government’s support for achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Western Australian Energy Minister Reece Whitby said, “The Derby Regional Hospital solar system is a great example of the Cook Government delivering on its commitment to increase renewable energy uptake throughout regional and remote Western Australia.

Related article: Energy bill relief for vulnerable West Kimberley households

“This is a wonderful partnership between Horizon Power and WA Country Health Service that will reduce energy costs for Derby’s major hospital while also cutting its carbon emissions.”

The post WA regional hospital gets $1.4M rooftop solar system appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Related article: Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar expands to NWIS

Previously known as the Household Energy Efficiency Scheme, Energy Ahead supports Western Australians currently experiencing or at risk of financial hardship and aims to reduce the pressure on their cost of living, while improving their energy efficiency knowledge and awareness.

The $13 million initiative has benefitted 1,000 Western Australians, with Energy Policy WA (EPWA) delivering the program alongside Horizon Power and Synergy, in partnership with local community service organisations.

In the West Kimberley, Horizon Power will work with vulnerable households so they can better understand their energy use and develop practical solutions to reducing their energy bills.

That work will be done in partnership with Nirrumbuk Environmental Health and Services and EPWA, with customers in Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby and selected Indigenous communities to benefit from the program’s launch.

Eligible households will benefit from:

• personalised, one-on-one coaching
• tips for saving on their energy bills
• an energy pack with items to help them save money; and
• home visits from a program support worker.

WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby said, “Energy bills are just one of the many challenges that households struggle with when they find themselves experiencing financial hardship.
“The Cook Government understands this, which is why we’re glad to extend this program to regional Western Australia.

Related article: Western Australia gets $3b funding for grid expansion

“West Kimberley residents who are facing financial hardship can access the program and receive hands-on solutions so they can ultimately save on their energy bills.”

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The state-of-the-art technology will increase access to renewable energy to the towns and is as part of a state-wide program which was launched by Horizon Power in Carnarvon last month.

Related article: Solar access for WA’s regions with Smart Connect Solar

The Smart Connect Solar project is removing hosting capacity constraints which limits solar installations across regional towns, enabling thousands of additional customers to install rooftop solar, realise energy bill savings, and improving the safety and stability of the state’s electricity network.

The technology has been launched in the NWIS towns of Karratha, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Point Samson, Cossack and Roebourne, in the Pilbara.

It has also been rolled out in 20 towns in the Kimberley, Mid West and Gascoyne and Esperance and Goldfields regions. This includes Derby, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Lombadina, Kalumburu, Warmun, Coral Bay, Cue, Meekatharra, Wiluna, Yalgoo, Hopetoun, Laverton, Leonora, Norseman, Camballin, Ardyaloon, Beagle Bay, Bidyadanga and Nullagine.

Karratha was the only town among the 26 which had exhausted its hosting capacity limits, however, Smart Connect Solar removes the requirement to apply future restrictions and enables towns to continue to realise their future solar potential.

Karratha has had active hosting capacity limitations from late 2023. Smart Connect Solar will enable homes and businesses in Karratha to apply and connect solar without existing restrictions.

“By 2025, Horizon Power, WA’s regional energy provider, will have deployed Smart Connect Solar to all towns in its service area, which is a significant milestone in increasing access to solar energy to residents across Western Australia,” Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said.

The staged rollout will also support regional solar installation businesses, with demand for solar expected to increase once hosting limits are removed.

“Not only does Smart Connect Solar use cutting-edge technology, it will also be a key contributor to the State Government’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Unwin said.

Related article: Western Power issues notices for private power poles

“Furthermore, it equips Horizon Power with the necessary technical capabilities to fulfil our commitment to ensuring ‘zero customer refusals when connecting rooftop solar by 2025’ across our networks.”

Harnessing the power of predictive analytics, Smart Connect Solar analyses weather patterns, and accurately forecasts energy generation and demand. This enables real-time orchestration of a customer’s solar generation, effectively mitigating the risk of voltage and frequency fluctuations that could destabilise the electricity system and cause supply disruptions.

The post Horizon Power’s Smart Connect Solar expands to NWIS appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Western Australia’s regional energy provider, Horizon Power, will install and trial Redflow’s zinc bromine flow battery (100kW/400kWh) and BASF’s sodium sulphur battery (250kW/1,450kWh) on Western Australian microgrids in Nullagine and Carnarvon, respectively.

Related article: Microgrids for three towns part of Powercor resilience plan

The 250kW/1.45MWh BASF sodium sulphur (NAS) battery will be supplied and installed by Allset Energy, in Carnarvon.

The project will test each battery’s ability to shift rooftop solar electricity produced in the middle of the day to evening hours as well as demonstrate hybrid operability alongside lithium-ion batteries for optimal network service delivery.

Horizon Power has a number of lithium-ion batteries installed on networks it operates, however, has identified a need for longer duration energy storage technologies to be included in its portfolio.

The ability of zinc bromine flow batteries and sodium sulphur batteries to withstand higher ambient temperatures over long periods, whilst maintaining reliable power with a lower degradation, is particularly important in remote community microgrids and is a distinct advantage over current lithium-ion technology.

If the trial is successful, Horizon Power’s $5.7 million project will validate the technical viability of zinc bromine and sodium sulphur batteries in remote microgrids, reduce the risk in future deployments, and help to accelerate the rollout of Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) across Horizon Power’s 34 service areas. The BASF battery will also be the first of its kind connected to a regulated network and a DERMS platform in Australia.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “We are really excited about these ground-breaking trials which will support the Australian and State Government’s carbon emissions reduction targets, while making renewables more accessible for our regional and remote customers.

“Our Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) trials will provide our project team with key learnings around how the technology can be effectively integrated into our network and test their temperature resilience in regions with extreme weather conditions.

“Horizon Power was an early adopter in battery energy storage, and for the past 15 years we have been exploring how energy storage can best be used to promote increased uptake of renewable energy across regional WA.

Related article: Redflow and Ameresco to deploy microgrid for US Defense

“Last year, we became the first Australian energy utility to purchase a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB), for a long-duration energy storage pilot in Kununurra. The battery, which arrived in Perth earlier this year, will be deployed to site in coming months.

“Our latest trials will continue our exploration of LDES technologies which are suitable for withstanding the extreme temperatures of our regions, providing valuable insights which will support with future deployment of the batteries in our regions.”

The post New battery tech being tested in regional WA microgrids appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Western Australia’s regional energy provider has urged farmers and growers to be mindful of powerlines, power poles and other electrical infrastructure that can present serious safety risks on farms or agricultural properties.

Related article: ‘Look up and Live’ promoting regional powerline safety

Horizon Power executive general manager operations Mick Veverka said, “With seeding season approaching it is a timely reminder for farmers to familiarise themselves and their workers with the location of all electrical infrastructure on or near their property.

“Community safety is our top priority. Most incidents we see are related to a heavy vehicle coming into contact with a pole or line, and accidents occurring while trees are being trimmed,” he explained.

“As well as overhead power lines it is important to know where underground powerlines are buried.

“Even though cables are out of sight, they can be very dangerous if accidentally struck or damaged. Equipment operators and workers are also reminded to be aware of specified exclusion zones and the height and reach of equipment being used.”

Horizon Power manages the distribution of power to homes, businesses, and communities in the Goldfields/Esperance region. In Esperance, a substantial proportion of Horizon Power’s electricity infrastructure (poles and wires) cut through or run adjacent to large farm properties.

Farm machinery hitting power poles and pulling down overhead powerlines can cause electric shocks, resulting in serious injury or death. Customers should also be aware they don’t need to come into direct contact with powerlines to receive an electric shock, as electricity can ‘jump’ or arc across air gaps.

“Damage to electrical infrastructure can also cause fires, which have the potential to spread to other parts of the community. Repairing or replacing damaged assets is costly and can result in extended power outages,” Veverka explained.

Horizon Power recommends property owners inspect their private electricity infrastructure at least once a year for any signs of visible deterioration and consider marking the location of power poles and powerlines with reflective, high-visibility tape.

Related article: Applications open for Horizon Power’s community grants

Plant and machinery such as irrigation pipes, grain augers, elevators, grain silos, cranes and excavators all have the potential to come into contact with powerlines.

“It is important for farmers to review their activities and to remember to always observe safe work practices near electrical infrastructure, especially when they may be driving or moving machinery.”

The post Horizon reminds farmers to work safely near electricity appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.

Related article: WA’s Virtual Power Plant to the rescue during heatwave

Smart Connect Solar technology uses a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) management system that enables the coordination of high levels of solar energy on the network, which will enable thousands of additional customers in Carnarvon to install rooftop solar while maintaining network safety and stability.

This will eliminate solar installation capacity constraints in Carnarvon and other towns and enable more customers throughout regional WA to access rooftop solar.

In 2019, Horizon Power became the first Australian utility to deploy the technology in a regional microgrid, using it to coordinate customer solar with utility-owned renewables to help power the town of Onslow.

It was also able to use the system to power the town with 100% renewables for approximately 80 minutes.

Smart Connect Solar will be deployed to all of Horizon Power’s service areas, including the Pilbara, Kimberley, Gascoyne, Mid West and Goldfields regions, by the end of 2024.

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said, “We are excited to launch Smart Connect Solar into Carnarvon, the first town in the roll out of this innovative technology to our customers across regional Western Australia.

“Our customers are an integral part of our future energy systems, and we are committed to bringing all of them along on this clean energy transition journey.

“Overcoming the technical barriers that prevented more customer renewable energy generation is a significant milestone. It means more of our customers now have access to solar and can reap the benefits of renewable energy, including reduced energy bills.

Related article: Spotlight On: Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin

“The system will also improve stability and therefore reliability of the electricity network, while supporting the state government’s carbon emission goals and our 2025 target of zero refusals when connecting solar.”

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