ZEN Energy to install $1m battery storage on Government-owned buildings

Adelaide will take another significant step toward a carbon neutral future with Tonsley investor, ZEN Energy winning a $1 million tender to install lithium ion batteries at three sites around the city.

Three government-owned buildings — State Library of South Australia, the Art Gallery of South Australia and Adelaide High School — will be fitted with battery storage demonstration systems, in what is believed to be a national first.

These sites have been prioritised as offering the greatest potential for high demonstration value, low technical risks and opportunities to achieve energy cost savings through reducing maximum energy demand.

Background

The project will contribute to the development of ZEN Energy’s manufacturing centre at Tonsley, which is designing, manufacturing, factory testing and maintaining the ZEN Freedom Powerbank battery systems.

South Australia’s government-owned and leased buildings contribute more than 15 per cent of overall greenhouse gas emissions from buildings within the Adelaide City Council area.

Benefits of battery storage systems can include emissions abatement, effective load management and reduced demand tariffs.

The Adelaide City Council as a partner to the tender process under the Carbon Neutral Adelaide plan is contracting ZEN Energy separately to install a similar battery storage system to their council works depot.

Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis

We are a state of abundant renewable energy capacity that produces very cheap power when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing.

Battery storage of renewable energy offers the possibility of capturing that power as it is generated and delivering cheap power around the clock, so advances in the technology are a very exciting proposition for South Australia.

This nation-leading initiative will demonstrate how battery storage can play a role in reducing the carbon footprint of large buildings and save governments money over time.

ZEN Energy Founder and Director of Innovation Richard Turner

Battery storage represents one of the most exciting technological advances of our lifetime and what we are developing at Tonsley is at the global forefront.

ZEN Energy applauds the State Government for being one of the early adopters of this game changing technology.

These icon buildings will serve as an ideal showcase for the world-leading energy smarts we have in South Australia and the far reaching benefits battery storage provides for government, businesses and households.

This particular project showcases the effectiveness of energy storage in managing the total electricity costs of commercial businesses either stand alone or complemented with solar.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese

This is a wonderful demonstration project and Council applauds the Government’s leadership in this regard, which aligns with our vision for a smart, green City of Adelaide.

Battery storage has transformed the renewable energy sector and opened up a whole new range of possibilities. The project will demonstrate how this technology can be used and encourage private building owners to establish similar systems, so they too can reap the benefits of low-cost, low-carbon energy.

There is no doubt that projects such as this will be essential for Council and the State Government to reach our aim of zero net carbon emissions for the City of Adelaide.