Corryong Community Microgrids and Sustainable Energy Program

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.

The solar and battery offer will only be available until all systems are purchased – we expect that to be within 6 weeks. The solar system should provide useful power for 20+ years and the battery life will typically be between 10 and 15 years.

Adding solar and a battery to your property allows greater energy independence from the traditional energy grid. By storing and discharging energy, it means the household will rely less on traditional energy, minimising costs on your bill. 

The systems have financing options available for those interested. Options are shared on request.

You will need to work with RACV solar to notify your retailer on your behalf. Once the system is installed, your electricity smart meter will need to be adjusted to record your solar export to the gris and this will be coordinated through the retailer.

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 resilient local electricity supply can provide electricity services even when the grid experiences an outage.

This project is building the foundation of local energy generation already installed in Corryong. This means that during an outage, participating residents with batteries installed will still have enough power for important services like charging phones/ laptops, air conditioning, and shelter.

Eligible essential services, households and critical businesses will receive a solar system and battery designed to support their individual energy needs during an outage. In addition, eligible essential services providers can receive a backup generator. 

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 project is funded by the Victorian Government and AusNet Services, delivery in partnership with Mondo, and systems installed by RACV Solar’s local teams with the promise to Corryong’s energy resilience. 

The systems will cost substantially below market price due to subsidies on offer.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are local energy generation and storage technologies. These resources include solar panels, batteries, energy storage systems, generators and heat pumps.

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.

When multiple homes or businesses in an area have a Mondo Ubi, these systems communicate with one another to enable a range of businesses, including the ability to:

• Establish and track locally generated energy 
• Compare your energy use and renewable energy generation to your community

Where existing solar or solar and batteries systems are installed, it may be possible to integrate these with the broader microgrid. Specific guidance will require a detailed site visit and discussion with our solar installers.

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. 

Existing generators cannot be used to charge the planned battery.