Blockchain Virtual Power Plant

Power Ledger, Powerclub, sonnen and Natural Solar team up to save
Australians thousands through Virtual Power Plant project

Highlights

• Energy tech collective unite to bring electricity savings to South Australian households.
• World’s largest solar battery manufacturer sonnen and solar panel provider Natural Solar join Power Ledger and Powerclub’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) project.
• Project enables households to tap into A$4500 South Australian battery subsidy schemes based on eligibility.
• First 20 installations receive A$500 discount for participating in the pilot.

MEDIA RELEASE – EMBGD 10:00am AEDT 18 December 2019: Australian energy trading technology company Power Ledger and wholesaler energy retailer Powerclub have teamed up with sonnen and Natural Solar to launch their Virtual Power Plant pilot.

Last month Powerclub signed an agreement to offer Power Ledger’s blockchain-enabled energy trading platform to its Members, enabling participating households to pool their net solar and battery storage to act as a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).

A VPP is when a network of home solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery systems pool their stored energy and feed it into the grid so connected households, and the wider community can gain access to cheaper, solar-generated power.

“Power Ledger’s VPP technology enables participants to export stored solar energy at peak periods of demand, giving them the highest value for their exports while alleviating pressure on the grid and reducing Australia’s carbon footprint from fossil fuels” said Power Ledger Co-founder and Executive Chairman Dr Jemma Green.

To enable a pilot program for Powerclub and Power Ledger’s VPP Project, the duo has partnered with the world’s largest solar battery manufacturer sonnen, as well as solar panel provider Natural Solar to provide the infrastructure required to rollout to households in South Australia.

“Natural Solar is always on the lookout for innovative technologies that push the boundaries and benefits our customers across the country. Power Ledger’s technology, combined with Powerclub’s no-profit processes are a perfect example of this as it allows individual households to effectively trade electricity like a stock market,” says Chris Williams, CEO & Founder of Natural Solar.

The technology is an extension to Power Ledger’s peer-to-peer (P2P) platform, which is currently deployed in multiple sites across the world and Australia and facilitates charging of home batteries during low price periods in the National Electricity Network (NEM) and discharging of energy during high price periods.

South Australian households will have the opportunity to tap into the state’s $4500 battery subsidy scheme based on eligibility as well as the first 20 Powerclub Members to sign up to the pilot will receive a further $500 discount.

“We anticipate the VPP will deliver thousands in annual electricity savings for participating South Australians,” says Powerclub Founder and CEO, Stuart McPherson.

Powerclub’s Members will gain access to Power Ledger’s technology, enabling households to profit from power price spikes and demand shortages.

“Traditionally, energy companies may offer standard payments or incentives ahead of time when they foresee a spike in demand, but these don’t take into account the actual energy contribution customers are making or likely to make,” said Dr Green.

Under the current system, energy consumers are subject to additional hidden costs and mark-ups by the electricity retailer to cover supply costs. Powerclub Members who invest in solar and battery storage have real-time access to leverage the wholesale market.

“It’s these significant advances in technology that are furthering the home battery storage market and swiftly setting the standard for households in Australia,” says Mr Williams.

“Powerclub is relentlessly pursuing new and better ways to help Australians buy, use and sell energy. The VPP solution will enable participating Members to both monetize their solar exports while flooding the grid with clean, green solar energy when it needs it most,” said Powerclub’s CEO and Founder Stuart McPherson.

The pilot is expected to expand to the east coast in early next year with the full-featured VPP available in mid-2020 to Members. Visit the Powerclub website for details on how to join the pilot.