Corryong Community Microgrids and Sustainable Energy Program

After the 2019/2020 summer bushfires, AusNet, Mondo and the Victorian Government designed a microgrid solution that can support rural communities when the electricity network is impacted.

Delivered in partnership with project partners RACV Solar, over 80 systems have been installed on both residential and community hub sites to support the local energy network when greater energy resilience is needed.

These systems vary from hot water heat pumps, diesel generators, solar PV and batteries. The microgrid systems are installed with Mondo’s Ubi, smart energy management system to sites to allow the microgrid function to be managed and controlled during events.

Each system that has been installed creates a ‘fleet’ of renewable energy solutions.

‘Fleet’ describes all independent systems installed coordinating into one central source – the townwide microgrid solution managed by Mondo.

Day to day, each towns ‘fleet’ work independently on the property it is installed on providing solar and battery benefits. However, during weather or network events, project partner Mondo, will monitor each ‘fleets’ stored battery levels and control how the community can consume this locally generated energy to keep the lights on.

CMSEP site participants will be notified throughout the lifespan of the project when the ‘fleet’ is switched into the several microgrid functions by Mondo.

Like the three towns participating in the project, project partners worked with local councils, communities, authorities to choose locations that were beneficial for the wider community to visit during events impacting the traditional energy network.

These were chosen from a capacity, geographic location and resourcing.

Solar panels generate power from the sun each day, and this powers energy use of the property, what is unused will charge the battery, and any excess is exported to the local electricity grid.

The battery can then power the property when the solar generation fades (thick cloud or overnight) or can power dedicated emergency loads on the site – fridges, lighting for example.

Unfortunately, the project was only available to residents to purchase their subsidised systems for as long as there was available funding from project partners.

This program builds on the now completed work by Victorian Government funded program with Upper Murray Inc (and Indigo Power).

That program focused on community facilities to support people during outages, and with emergency readiness. The residential and solar battery offer supports households, and further expands efforts to create a town wide microgrid.

A microgrid is a small ‘subset’ of the electricity grid that provides energy generation and storage at a local level.

The homes and businesses in a microgrid, a device called a Mondo Ubi is installed.

The microgrid platform is used to optimise and coordinate energy use for communities like Corryong in the future.

• Improve the reliability and resilience of the electricity supply.
• Support energy security in the event of an emergency for the community.
• Reduce reliance on the broader energy system by generating power locally.
• Reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability.
• Maximise the amount of local generated solar energy while reducing annual energy bills. 

The systems can run specific loads or possibly all loads during network outages but are not designed to disconnect the property from the electricity grid entirely. 

Participating properties will have an ongoing supply for key circuits until the batteries have run out of power, and generators can then take over. This capability does not prepare the properties to permanently disconnect the from the electricity.

The Mondo Ubi allows you to stay up to date on how much electricity you are consuming, generating, and storing, so you can understand and control your usage. Mondo Ubi is also the communications device and foundation for community microgrids.

System sizes will vary according to property requirements and the intended function of the microgrid. Each system is designed specifically for your needs and the needs of your community.

Often, systems will be sized larger than needed for your residence to provide additional power to activate a microgrid. 

The Victorian Government has provided substantial subsidies so that individuals are not disadvantaged. 

The program is funded by project partners, AusNet, Mondo and the Victorian Government. Funding was provided by partners to provide residents in the communities to purchase systems at a subsidised rate.