The Resilient Energy Precinct Project
Yarra Ranges Council was successfully awarded $10 Million for a $13.4M Program through the Federal Government’s Preparing Australian Communities Fund. A portion of this funding has been allocated to the Resilient Energy Precinct microgrid feasibility study in Monbulk.
This project will link the Monbulk Sporting Pavilion and Monbulk Living and Learning Centre together to share power, as well as enable local renewable generation and energy storage at both sites.
What is a microgrid?
A interconnected network for electricity delivery from producers to consumers over a wide area is known as an energy grid. A microgrid is a scaled down version of an energy grid; it operates on a local scale to connect businesses and homes to nearby energy resources such as solar panels and battery storage.
Why use microgrids?
Power from mains networks can be disrupted for many reasons including power shortages or cuts, scheduled maintenance, or damage to the infrastructure because of storms or fires. This leaves community members without power, sometimes for extensive periods.
Microgrids can be powered by generators, batteries and/or renewable resources such as solar panels, enabling them to disconnect from the wider energy grid and continue powering homes and businesses.
If a microgrid is fuelled by renewable energy it can enhance energy resilience during emergency events and can potentially reduce energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels.
A microgrid:
- coordinates local energy resources – including renewable energy sources – to provide secure and reliable electricity locally
- can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously
- can improve community resilience by providing backup at times of emergencies
- can be used to reduce costs or provide services back to the main grid
- can help communities reach net-zero emissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sites will be connected to the microgrid?
The Monbulk Sports Pavilion and the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre will form part of the microgrid. The two buildings will produce, store and share renewable energy between them. This will require changes to the electrical configuration of the two buildings, as well as the addition of solar to the pavilion and a centralised battery.
How will the microgrid integrate with the existing power infrastructure?
The Living and Learning Centre has existing solar infrastructure which will be used to contribute energy to the microgrid.
The microgrid will still be connected to the main electricity grid, so at times where the solar production and energy stored in the battery is not enough to power the two buildings, the buildings will be able to draw electricity from the main electricity network/grid to power the buildings.
In the event of a power outage, the microgrid will have the ability to disconnect from the main network, forming a small grid (or microgrid). The microgrid will include only two buildings (the Living and Learning Centre and the Sports Pavilion), and will be powered by the solar panels on these buildings and the stored energy in the shared battery. This microgrid will be able to operate independently of the main electricity grid.
How will the microgrid operate during power outages
During a power outage, the microgrid will be able to disconnect from the main electricity grid, forming a small grid (or microgrid) that is able to operate independently of the main grid (this is called ‘islanding’).
The microgrid will include the Sports Pavilion and the Living and Learning Centre. The connection between these two buildings, along with the battery that they will both be connected to, will allow the buildings to share the energy that is produced by their rooftop solar. This means that the buildings will be able to continue operating even while the main electricity network is down.
When is the microgrid expected to be operational?
The microgrid will be operational upon completion of construction works, which are expected to be finished by March 2025.
How will the microgrid be activated during an outage?
The activation of the microgrid will be determined based on consultation with community, emergency services, tenants of the community buildings, and other stakeholders.
This consultation will take place in mid to late 2024.
How will the project contribute to reducing the community’s carbon footprint?
The project will add solar PV to the Sports Pavilion. This means that the Pavilion will use clean, renewable solar energy. While the Living and Learning Centre already has solar PV installed, the addition of the battery will allow both buildings to store their clean renewable energy so that even at night, when the solar panels are not operating due to lack of sunlight, the buildings can run on the stored solar energy from the battery.
Are there any plans to expand the microgrid in the future?
There are no plans to expand the microgrid at this stage, though as outlined in the Resilient Energy Precinct feasibility study, in the future it may be possible to add other buildings to the microgrid and incorporate the use of power sharing agreements.
Further reading
Yarra Ranges partnered with Monash University, Birdwood Energy, and n0de, to conduct the feasibility study. The feasibility outcomes were published in May 2024, outlining the opportunities and barriers for the implementation of a Local Energy System (microgrid) in Monbulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out more?
Please email sustainability@yarraranges.vic.gov.au for more information and/or to join our mailing list for project updates.