PROJECT TALLY (February) Number of projects = 538 - 215 Generating - 323 In Development Total Capacity = 79,051.5 MW - 21,704.5 MW Generating - 57,347 MW In Development Project Update Week ending 9 February 2018 Solar microgrid to power South Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the SA Produce Market microgrid project kicks of a Australian produce market week in which the State Government will 4 February make a range of major announcements on The South Australian Produce Market will new renewable energy projects that will put install 1600 solar panels and a large lithium- downward pressure on power prices for South ion battery on their facility at Pooraka, in an Australians. investment set to save stallholders over half a million dollars a year off their power bills. Background There are about 7300 businesses in SA with The $10.5 million microgrid, which will be solar PV systems, with combined capacity of constructed with the help of a $2.5 million 102MW – roughly equivalent to the Tesla State Government Energy Productivity battery at Jamestown. Program grant, is understood to be the largest private solar PV system in South Australia. Almost 210,000 SA households have rooftop solar PV, with total capacity of 720MW. The system will supply all of the wholesale market’s energy needs and will also feed The 2016-17 Mid Year Budget Review surplus power into the broader grid, relieving included $31 million over two years to help peak demand and putting downward pressure large South Australian businesses manage on power prices for all South Australians. their electricity costs. The microgrid will comprise of a 4.2MWh The funding was first available for businesses lithium-ion battery, 2.5MW solar PV system to undertake energy audits of their facilities to and 2.5MW onsite generator and at full determine where efficiencies can be made. capacity will generate enough electricity to The audits made recommendations about power the equivalent of 4,500 homes. technology or infrastructure upgrades that could be carried out to reduce cost and grants The project will cut greenhouse gas emissions were made available to implement those from the site by 2,637 tonnes each year and it recommendations. is anticipated market stallholders will save up to $5.5M over the next 10 years compared to A number of other recipients are in the the current Retail offers available in SA. process of having their grant funding finalised. The control system for the site is being Source: South Australia Government developed by local South Australian company AZZO. The microgrid will be fully operational by late 2018 and will create about 40 jobs during construction. Page 1 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) World’s largest ‘Virtual Power The Virtual Power Plant will be the biggest of its kind in the world, easily eclipsing Plant’ to lower energy bills Canberra’s Reposit Power Virtual Power Plant, 4 February which connects 250 homes and businesses to The State Government has unveiled a plan to the grid. roll out a network of at least 50,000 home solar and battery systems across South A recent report by the Australian Energy Australia, working together to form the Market Commission said that energy prices in world’s largest Virtual Power Plant. South Australia are expected to fall by approximately $300 over the next two years Beginning with a trial of 1100 Housing SA for the average household. properties, a 5kW solar panel system and 13.5kWh Tesla Powerwall 2 battery will be Source: South Australia Government installed at no charge to the household and financed through the sale of electricity. Following the trial, which has now commenced, systems are set to be installed at Goulburn Bioenergy Project a further 24,000 Housing Trust properties, and commences commercial then a similar deal offered to all South operation Australian households, with a plan for at least 5 February 50,000 households to participate over the ReNu Energy Limited (ASX: RNE) has next four years. commenced commercial operation at the Goulburn Bioenergy Project. A registration of interest will be opened today for members of the public who wish to Highlights participate in the program. • The Goulburn Bioenergy Project has achieved practical completion and The Government will release a market notice commenced commercial operation. later this week for a retailer to deliver the • Revenue flow from the project has program, with a preference of bringing a new commenced and will ramp up as biogas player into the market. production increases. • $1.4 million of the $2.1 million ARENA grant Analysis by Frontier Economics shows the has been received and the conditions 250MW plant is expected to lower energy bills precedent for the next milestone payment of for participating households by 30 per cent. $0.68 million are expected to be met in March 2018. Additionally, all South Australians will also • Supports ReNu Energy’s target of $2 million benefit from the increased generation in the of EBITDA from operating projects by 30 June South Australian energy mix, with lower 2018.1 energy prices and increased energy stability. ReNu Energy is pleased to announce that the The State Government is assisting the rollout Goulburn Bioenergy Project (the Project), with a $2 million grant and $30 million loan located at the Southern Meats Pty Ltd from the Renewable Technology Fund. abattoir in Goulburn, NSW (the Facility) has reached practical completion and commenced Background commercial operation. Today’s announcement is the next phase in the State Government’s Energy Plan, which is The anaerobic digester and biogas treatment already making South Australia more self- plant have been commissioned and are sufficient through the world’s largest lithium operational. The digester is receiving the full ion battery and the solar thermal plant. Page 2 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) waste flow from the Facility and biogas purchases the electricity supplied under a 20 production is ramping up with high gas year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). quality. The two 800 kW dual fuel Caterpillar generators have been operated on both The Project will generate Large Scale natural gas and biogas. Renewable Energy Certificates (LGCs) and Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) which Chris Murray, Managing Director of ReNu will be to ReNu Energy’s account. ReNu Energy said, “The commercial operation of the Energy has a contract for the supply of ACCUs Goulburn Bioenergy Project is a significant with the Clean Energy Regulator. milestone for ReNu Energy and for the bioenergy sector in Australia. The project will The Projects is supported by a $2.1 million supply approximately 4,000 MWh of energy grant funding agreement with ARENA. annually, representing over 50% of the Facility’s power consumption and a significant Source: ReNu Energy reduction in energy costs and carbon emissions for our customer, Southern Meats. The Project would not have been possible World’s largest virtual power without the support of Southern Meats, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency plant a game changer (ARENA). We acknowledge and thank 5 February Southern Meats and ARENA for their South Australia is preparing to step up its support.” renewables and energy storage game, with 1 On an annualised run-rate basis. the state announcing plans to rollout the world’s largest virtual power plant. About the Project The Goulburn Bioenergy Project is located at Climate Council Acting CEO and Head of the Southern Meats Pty Ltd abattoir in Research, Dr Martin Rice said the South Goulburn, NSW. Australian Government and Tesla initiative The Project includes an anaerobic digester, was a ‘game changer’ for the national energy which is supplied with waste water from the market, and would cut rising household Facility, biogas treatment plant, two 800 kW power bills. dual fuel Caterpillar generators and electrical interconnection to the Facility. The electricity “This announcement shows that the transition generated is supplied to the Facility at peak to a 21st Century grid, made up of clean, times of the daily billing cycle to reduce the affordable and reliable renewable energy and Facility’s overall electricity costs. To be able to battery storage is inevitable and it’s meet the peak demand periods, the happening now,” he said. generators can be operated on dual fuel, blending biogas with natural gas. Dual fuel Dr Rice said South Australia is home to the blending is a novel and innovative application highest proportion of solar and wind in the field of bioenergy, enabling projects to electricity in Australia, which is also among better meet the demand cycles of customers the highest in the world. and enhance project viability through the addition of natural gas. “South Australia is leading the charge, from the most powerful battery, wind and solar ReNu Energy owns and operates the project plants, to upcoming solar thermal and now under a Build Own Operate Maintain (BOOM) the world’s largest virtual power plant,” he model whereby ReNu Energy owns and said. operates the equipment and Southern Meats Page 3 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) “The state is doing its bit to slash pollution Strategic realignment in juwi levels and to tackle climate change, now we just need the Federal Government to do the Australia same for the nation.” 6 February juwi, a global renewable company founded in The announcement details low income 1996 and has since delivered over 4.4GW of households, Tesla and the state’s electricity solar and wind projects worldwide with a total grid will share the benefits. The initiative will investment volume of >$10billion. juwi see around 50,000 homes in South Australia entered the Australian business in 2014 with receive solar panels and battery storage the acquisition of Qi power focusing on a installed, with the cost of the project financed niche hybrid/offgrid segment resulting in in part through the sale of electricity successfully executing the world’s largest generated from the solar panels installed.