Call for Virtual Power Plants With Rooftop Solar and Batteries: Victoria

There’s lots of buzz about the future of solar power in Victoria where the Andrews Labor Government has launched a pilot program to set up virtual power plants (VPPs).

VPPs permit renewable energy, such as solar, to be injected rapidly into the power grid in response to disruptions, imbalances or disturbances. VPPs also ensure stability across the network.

The Victorian government’s pilot program — the first of its type in the state — will seek to aggregate the energy from the state’s thriving rooftop solar panel systems and home battery storage units.

The idea is to bundle together the power from household batteries and sell the collective power to the grid during peak energy times — making the grid more reliable for all users. The good news for solar power homes is that they may be able to receive extra income streams by taking part in the program.

The Role of Solar Victoria

Victoria Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio said Solar Victoria would oversee the pilot. Solar Victoria also has broader responsibility for delivering Victoria’s extensive Solar Homes Program, including implementation of the Solar Homes incentive program.
 
The energy minister said Solar Victoria was calling on energy companies with experience in energy bundling and battery power to participate in the pilot.

D’Ambrosio said in a statement that the pilot seeks to deliver the advantages of solar power to everyone in Victoria, “reducing pressure on the grid and boosting reliability when demand is highest.”

Encouraging Innovation in Renewable Energy

The Victorian Government is very committed to supporting innovation in the renewable energy space as a whole. They recently increased the renewable energy target to 50% by 2030. There’s no doubt that solar and VPPs will play a key role in helping Victoria to meet the ambitious new targets.

As well as promoting innovation and investment in solar, the state government is also keen to uphold safety standards and consumer protection, as outlined in the Solar Victoria Technology Guidelines.

Meanwhile, Solar Victoria is continuing to educate the public about batteries and energy aggregation by creating consumer literacy tools, which also emphasise the many benefits of installing solar panel systems.

Be Part of the Buzz

If you’d like to be part of the solar revolution in Victoria, make sure you work with reputable solar specialists. At Solar Miner, we provide and install a range of quality, modern solar power systems at affordable prices. Contact us today to find out more.