The Alice Springs Future Grid project will help transform the power system to support more renewable energy and help our town to meet the Northern Territory’s renewable energy target.
Our community relies on a plentiful, stable and affordable electricity supply. Future Grid will help to strengthen the reliability of the Alice Springs electricity grid in response to the community’s demand for clean energy.
Lessons learned during this two-year project will be transferable to other grids, helping to support Australia’s transition to a renewable energy future.
Future Grid is a collaborative effort involving NT and interstate experts, led by the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy. ALEC is proud to be leading Future Grid’s community engagement activities.
Our energy system is in transition.
In 2008, there were only two rooftop solar power systems in Alice Springs. Now in 2021, there are well over 3,000 rooftop systems!
On some days when there is a large amount of solar energy flowing into the network, it can create challenges for a small grid like Alice Springs.
Community involvement is essential as we move toward a grid of the future.
Future Grid and the community
Future Grid will trial what is expected to be the Northern Territory’s first Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
A Virtual Power Plant is typically a collection of solar and battery storage systems that work together to provide a single source of energy. VPPs use smart technology to control the energy flow to and from the grid on demand.
The pilot will look at how a VPP - a network of solar powered homes with battery storage - can help keep the grid stable while increasing the amount of clean energy in the Alice Springs power system.
ALEC is the link between Future Grid and the community – engaging households, local battery installers and the broader public throughout the trial.
Get involved
There are opportunities to get involved with Future Grid by joining the community reference group, connecting to the VPP, helping out with events, and much more. you can make a start right now, by liking our Facebook page!
To express your interest in being involved with the Alice Springs Future Grid project, head to the Future Grid website and fill in your details.
ALEC's Solar History
ALEC has a strong history of supporting solar energy in Alice Springs. In 2001, ALEC first posited Alice Springs as a solar city, and was an integral stakeholder in the bid to make Alice Springs a solar city as part of a Federal Government initiative.
Today, ALEC is part of the collaborative Future Grid effort, deploying household batteries to specific areas of town, and working directly with the community toward a renewable energy future.
For Future Grid enquiries, contact Hayley Michener [email protected]
About
Alice Springs Future Grid is led by the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy, on behalf of Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA). Intyalheme is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government. The Alice Springs Future Grid project received funding from ARENA as part of ARENA's Advancing Renewables Program. This project is also funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund – Microgrids Program.