Farming co-op to trial a solar and battery storage microgrid

Source: One Step off the Grid

"A Victorian solar and storage microgrid project geared at helping Australian farmers to tackle energy-related “pain points” including rising power prices and unreliable supply, has won state government backing. The agriculture co-op Birchip Cropping Group will receive $210,000 to develop the project at its local facility in the Mallee region."

"The microgrid, including 51kW of solar and 137kWh of battery storage capacity, will be developed by energy technology company SwitchDin and commercial microgrid developer Walnut Energy."

"According to a statement from SwitchDin, the Birchip project aims to demonstrate the value of energy resilience and self-sufficiency for rural industries. This will include testing the “islanding” capabilities of the microgrid – in which it cuts itself off from the grid to keep power on in the event of a network outage."

Read more: Farmers to tap solar and battery storage, in latest Victoria microgrid trial. One Step off the Grid, October 3, 2018.