UP TO 60 Rhyll households will have their electric hot water systems switched from night-time to daytime operation in a trial that could set a model for renewable energy communities.
The change, from March 1 next year, is designed to make better use of the region’s abundant solar energy by heating water during peak generation hours, between 9am and 3pm. The existing early-morning boost period from 4am to 6am will remain in place.
The trial will be run by Totally Renewable Phillip Island (TRPI) in partnership with AusNet to tackle a growing challenge for renewable energy communities: how to use surplus solar power rather than wasting it.
The change, from March 1 next year, is designed to make better use of the region’s abundant solar energy by heating water during peak generation hours, between 9am and 3pm. The existing early-morning boost period from 4am to 6am will remain in place.
The trial will be run by Totally Renewable Phillip Island (TRPI) in partnership with AusNet to tackle a growing challenge for renewable energy communities: how to use surplus solar power rather than wasting it.
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Not so long ago, electric hot water systems were set to run overnight, when electricity was cheapest. Today, the lowest-cost power is typically generated in the middle of the day, when household and commercial solar panels are producing more energy than the grid can absorb.
TRPI chair Simon Helps said shifting hot water heating to daytime hours would maximise the use of locally generated solar energy. “More solar power is used within the community, reducing the need to draw electricity from the grid at night, when fossil fuel generation is still required,” he said. |
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“The beauty of this trial is that it benefits everyone. Residents get reliable hot water at no extra cost, the local grid uses more renewable energy, and we reduce our reliance on coal power. That’s a win-win-win for our community.
AusNet manager of grid evolution Ana Erceg said the project showed what was possible when energy distributors and community groups worked together.
“We’re excited to support TRPI’s vision and to test an approach that could be scaled across our network,” she said.
The selected Rhyll households won’t need to do anything. The changes will be made automatically via the home’s smart meter.
The Rhyll trial aligns with Bass Coast Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and with federal solar-sharing initiatives being piloted in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Key benefits
TRPI is a community-led organisation working to transition Phillip Island to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
AusNet manager of grid evolution Ana Erceg said the project showed what was possible when energy distributors and community groups worked together.
“We’re excited to support TRPI’s vision and to test an approach that could be scaled across our network,” she said.
The selected Rhyll households won’t need to do anything. The changes will be made automatically via the home’s smart meter.
The Rhyll trial aligns with Bass Coast Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and with federal solar-sharing initiatives being piloted in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Key benefits
- No cost increase
- No disruption to hot water supply
- Potential savings – daytime usage may help residents negotiate better retail electricity rates
- Maximising local solar – using excess neighbourhood solar power instead of wasting it
- Supporting more solar – allowing more homes to install systems and export power
- Environmental – reducing reliance on coal-fired electricity overnight
TRPI is a community-led organisation working to transition Phillip Island to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.