Yarra Ranges Council is currently conducting a study on microgrids as part of their involvement in the Active Energy Precincts Project, and is calling on responses from Healesville and Yarra Junction residents.
Yarra Ranges Council is one of three Councils partnering with Monash University and Birdwood Energy to conduct a study into whether powering the two communities would be feasible using microgrids or an Active Energy Precinct.
Microgrids function as traditional energy sources and loads in a wide area grid, but can disconnect and function separately. Each microgrid will aim to virtually connect a few businesses, community facilities and about 20 homes into a microgrid that includes local renewable generation and energy storage. The microgrid’s ability to disconnect and operate autonomously will help to reduce disruptions and extensive periods without power to communities when there are power shortages or cuts, scheduled maintenance or damage to the infrastructure as a result of storms or fires, such as the June 2021 storms.
Microgrids can be powered by generators, batteries and/or renewable resources such as solar panels, enabling them to disconnect from the wider energy grid and continue powering homes and businesses.
Healesville and Yarra Junction have been selected for this feasibility study as the locations include Council-owned facilities that can be activated as emergency relief and recovery centres and are close to other essential services such as banks and shops.
The project will be funded as part of Monash University’s ‘Active Energy Precincts: Building Stronger Regional Communities Project’ which has recieved $1.934 million from the Federal Government’s Regional and Remote Microgrid Reliability Fund.
Residents can take their survey and find more information at this link: https://shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/active-energy-precincts-project
