Welcome back!
In previous articles we have looked at the power problems plaguing Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek and Marengo.
We’ve learned that a study investigating the feasibility of a neighbourhood battery to help address the community’s power priorities has recommended a staged approach for the technical solution.
Experienced power industry consultant, Mondo, identified an advanced grid-connected microgrid with a central grid-forming 4.95MW/10MWh battery energy storage system as the best way to address the community’s top four power priorities in Apollo Bay.
But who should own this system?
And what are the ownership benefits and costs?
Mondo says the battery could be owned by the community, a third party - like an energy retailer - or a combination of both in the case of a joint-venture.
Mondo provided the following analysis of the pros and cons of each ownership model from a community perspective.
These ownership models were put to the community during the study’s consultation phase and the overwhelming response was that the battery should be owned by a third party.
It was clear to those who voted that the technical and financial risks associated with the battery outweighed the benefits of owning the battery, even in a joint-venture approach.
Interestingly, Mondo was also unable to find successful examples of any community owned batteries of this size to use as a case study.
The study found the third party ownership model exposed the community to the least amount of risk whilst still realising the benefits of a central neighbourhood battery. Mondo identified there was a risk the third party and the community’s objectives would not be aligned but felt those differences could be mitigated through negotiations and a tender process.
In the next edition we look at how much the system would cost to build and operate.
Learn more about S.O.S at www.southernotwayssustainable.com.au
And follow us on Facebook