“Victoria announces microgrid grant, to power Latrobe Valley shift from coal”

Solar/Battery microgrid Kauai Is. Hawaii (source: Archinect News)

“Hot on the heels of its $1.2 billion pledge to dramatically boost rooftop solar uptake in the state, the Victorian Andrew’s government has launched a $3 million grant program to support the development of a renewables based microgrid project in the Latrobe Valley.

In a statement on Tuesday [August 22,2018], energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced the Latrobe Valley Microgrid Grant Program, to help accelerate the uptake of renewable energy in a region that is best known for being Victoria’s centre for coal-fired power generation.

D’Ambrosio said the initiative aimed to lower the cost of energy for local businesses, encourage new investment in the region and support its transition to a low-carbon economy. The minister said the successful microgrid project – which is described as a small network of electricity users with a local supply of power that can function independently of the electricity grid – could include virtual power plants and smart embedded networks, with renewable energy as the primary generation source….”

“….That project aims to use locally generated solar, battery storage, smart appliances and blockchain technology to buy and sell locally produced renewable energy to up to 200 dairy farms, more than 100 households and 20 local businesses.”

Read more: Victoria announces microgrid grant, to power Latrobe Valley shift from coal. One Step off the Grid, August 22, 2018.
See also in this blog: One way to reduce coal power could be for homeowners to join a virtual power plant.