Minister for Energy Bill Johnston released the following media statement today on Project Symphony:
- Over 300 customers participating in Western Australia’s largest Virtual Power Plant
- Project Symphony will identify the customer benefits of distributed energy resources
- McGowan Government has contributed $19.3 million to the project in Perth’s south
Project Symphony is now live with more than 300 customers and their 650 assets recruited to participate in Western Australia's largest virtual power plant.
The Harrisdale and Piara Waters pilot will identify how distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles can benefit customers participating in a future energy market.
The Perth southern suburbs were chosen for embracing renewable energy, with more than 50 per cent of households having rooftop solar.
Virtual power plants could be the future for electricity in WA. Instead of power stations carrying hundreds of kilometres of high voltage wires, houses could become the central power station - through rooftop solar and battery storage.
The Federal Government - through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency - has contributed $8.6 million to the $35.5 million project, which is a partnership between Western Power, Synergy, Energy Policy WA, and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
The McGowan Labor Government has invested $19.3 million, and the AEMO $7.6 million.
Testing is underway until April 2023 - with more than 200 customer assets now successfully 'orchestrated' as a single facility - providing benefits to the community and network.