Stand-alone Power System Trials

Ergon Energy Network has been trialling Stand-Alone Power Systems (SAPS) as an alternative to grid power supply at three fringe of grid locations. The purpose of the projects are to trial different SAPS technologies, in different locations with different types of customers and load profiles as an alternate to grid connected power for high cost to supply customers. Our strategy is to utilise local renewable generation and alternative technology solutions to continue to provide remote and isolated customers with access to safe, secure, affordable, reliable and efficient supply solutions into the future. 

Our three SAPS have been in operation for over a year and Sophie and Steve will share the:

drivers to transition high cost to supply grid connected customers to a SAPS;
variables that influence the design;
engineering design solution; and
challenges faced and how they were overcome.

Speakers

Sophie Allen

Sophie Allen is a Senior Engineer in Ergon Energy Network and Energex’s Renewable and Distributed Energy Team. She has worked with remote off-grid and fringe of grid communities across Queensland for over 10 years conceiving, planning, developing and deploying renewable energy projects. Her current role involves assessing drivers of change, including customer needs, technology, regulation and business models for the long term supply of fringe of grid customers, particularly in remote and isolated locations on Ergon Energy’s network.

Stephen Richardson

Stephen is a Senior Technology Innovation Engineer with Ergon Energy Network working in enabling new technologies to support Queensland energy users. He has worked for over 12 years on utility scale energy storage integration and standalone power systems. He has a strong engineering knowledge coupled with an extensive data science and analytics mindset to delivery data driven designs and system monitoring solutions.