Media Release | 2 March 2023
Sixteen commercial NSW government offices are soon to be equipped with smart battery systems as part of a landmark partnership with Shell Energy.
Department of Planning and Environment Deputy Secretary Leon Walker said the initiative by Property & Development NSW (PDNSW) to install the smart batteries was another step in the State Government’s net-zero efforts.
“So far, 13 of our regional commercial office sites have installed the new batteries, with the final three due to be installed and switched on by June,” Mr Walker said.
“The batteries can store excess solar output and feed up to 1,280 kWh of energy back into the electricity network during peak demand periods. This is enough energy to keep up to 1,000 household air-conditioners running on a hot summer day when the electricity grid is under stress.”
The innovative ‘Virtual Power Plant’ will be controlled and operated by Shell Energy and provide services to stabilise demand and supply on the electricity grid.
Shell Energy Australia CEO Greg Joiner said the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) was designed to aggregate multiple battery storage units that could be simultaneously dispatched.
“Shell Energy has developed a solution that will enable PDNSW to participate in and realise value from a rapidly decarbonising and digitised energy system,” Mr Joiner said.
“We’re proud to be bringing our experience and capability in electricity, energy solutions and wholesale trading to help PDNSW offset costs as well as reduce carbon emissions across its property portfolio.”
The costs of the project have been jointly funded between Property & Development NSW and the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change’s Smart Batteries for Key Government Buildings initiative. This latter initiative was established to support the installation of battery storage at schools, hospitals and other government buildings with rooftop solar systems.