Australia is known for its abundance of sunshine, which explains why so many households in the country have installed solar panels on their rooftops.
With the growing popularity of solar battery storage, the potential for a new way of distributing energy has emerged, known as a virtual power plant (VPP).
This may sound complicated, but it is a simple concept that allows households to share their stored energy through the grid during peak demand.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of VPPs by answering key questions.
What is a virtual power plant?
A virtual power plant is a community approach to generating and distributing electricity.
It enables many separate households to share the energy they’ve generated from their solar storage systems.
Virtual power plants use software to join up these different storage systems, sending their collective energy into the grid during times of peak demand.
This creates a two-way electricity supply that is different from the traditional one-way approach of generating energy in Australia, where electricity is sent from large power generators to individual households.
Why is a virtual power plant important?
Virtual power plants allow renewable energy to be harnessed quickly, keeping the network stable and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Most of the time, there is enough electricity for everybody, but sometimes the grid is stretched to its limits when demand is high.
This puts pressure on the grid to meet the increased need for power, and virtual power plants can help prevent blackouts and power shortages.
What type of VPP is right for me?
There are a variety of virtual power plant programs in Australia, and each program will be different depending on the provider.
There are two approaches to consider.
Firstly, a virtual power plant package program that helps you with setting up solar and battery.
This option is great if you’re new to solar energy and looking for help with selecting and installing an energy system.
Secondly, a virtual power plant program that lets you ‘bring your own battery.’
This is a good option if you’re confident in researching and organising the installation of your solar and battery system, or if you’ve already got one installed and want a way to earn more money from your investment.
Future X Energy will soon offer VPP Solutions – Sign up to our mailing list here to be contacted when they become available.
What are the benefits of joining a virtual power plant?
Joining a virtual power plant program can offer a range of benefits, such as regular payments, credits on your electricity bill, or the chance to have solar and battery installed as part of a packaged deal.
The rewards will depend on the program you join, and may depend on how many times the provider uses the power in your battery.
Being part of a VPP also helps make the energy grid more stable, prevents blackouts and power shortages, and contributes to a more sustainable electricity grid.
What are ‘events’?
Virtual power plants use something called an ‘event’ to describe the period when a virtual power plant provider accesses your battery.
Events give your VPP provider the option to use your battery to send energy to the grid, to charge it, or to keep it idle.
With Future X Energy VPP Solutions, energy generated by your solar system will always be consumed by your home first before any excess is exported to the grid.
What do I need to do as a VPP participant?
Future X Energy will keep you informed of any upcoming events and will access your battery remotely.
You will receive regular payments or credits on your electricity bill depending on the VPP program you join.
It’s important to make sure your battery is always connected to the internet and that you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection, as this is how will communicate with your battery.
Joining a virtual power plant is a great way to contribute to a sustainable energy future while earning money from your investment in solar and battery storage.
The rise of solar battery storage in Australia has led to the emergence of a new way of distributing energy called a virtual power plant (VPP).
VPPs allow households to share their stored energy through the grid during times of peak demand, creating a two-way electricity supply.
This community approach to generating and distributing electricity is important for harnessing renewable energy quickly and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Joining a VPP program can offer a range of benefits, including regular payments, credits on your electricity bill, and contributing to a more sustainable electricity grid.
By being a VPP participant, you are not only earning money from your investment in solar and battery storage but also contributing to a sustainable energy future.
Future X Energy will soon offer VPP Solutions – Sign up to our mailing list here to be contacted when they become available.
