A project helping to shape the future of solar power in regional communities has received international acclaim.

A collaborative research project between Horizon Power and Murdoch University investigating the delivery of clean energy to Carnarvon was recently awarded a joint Silver in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Smart Communities Initiative Best Practice Awards.

The three-year project involves cutting-edge distributed energy resources (DER) technology trials with about 80 Horizon Power customers in Carnarvon.

WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston congratulated the team on their achievement.

“The Carnarvon DER trials will contribute to the McGowan Government's Energy Transformation Strategy by exploring the most economically efficient ways to design and manage a future grid and reduce our dependence on centralised fossil fuelled generation,” he said.

Trials underway

As part of the three-year trials, which commenced in 2018, Horizon Power has fitted each of the participants' systems with internet of things technology to gather solar and battery performance data.

Horizon Power will marry this data together with weather data, power station performance and network operation data.

“Through our collaboration with Horizon Power in the Carnarvon DER Trials we are exploring Virtual Power Plant operation in a microgrid setting and suitable options that could be made available to customers who want to invest in distributed energy resources.” Dr Calais said. 

“The award in the Smart Grids category recognises Horizon Power’s innovative and customer centred approach to increase the use of distributed and renewable energy resources in remote Western Australian networks and Horizon Power’s commitment to a more sustainable energy future.”

The research has been endorsed by the Federal Government, with Horizon Power receiving $1.92 million of funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.