The Andrews Labor Government is helping households and businesses in multi-tenanted buildings cut their energy costs through a new investment in microgrid projects.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio was at Brunswick Town Hall today to announce a $980,000 grant towards the Ovida Community Energy Hub project, as part of the Labor Government’s statewide Microgrid Demonstration Initiative.

The $2 million Ovida project will install shared solar PV and battery systems in three buildings in Melbourne to help cut energy costs for tenants.

The initiative will benefit approximately 650 customers, generate 5000 kWh of solar energy and support 11,000 kWh of energy storage.

A microgrid is a small network of electricity users with a local supply of power that can function independently of the electricity grid, delivering energy security, sustainability and cost savings for those in the network.

A microgrid generally operates while connected to the grid, but importantly, it can break off and operate on its own using local energy generation in times of crisis like storms or power outages. Microgrids can also share excess energy produced back into the network for other users.

Ovida will work with Moreland Energy Foundation, RMIT University, Allume Energy and Jemena to deliver the project which will deliver affordable, dispatchable and reliable energy for occupants of apartment and commercial buildings.

The Microgrid Demonstration Initiative grant program is providing $10 million to support eight state-wide microgrid projects totaling over $37 million in value.

The Microgrid Demonstration Initiative was announced in 2017 as part of the Labor Government’s
$146 million Renewable Energy Action Plan.

Victoria is taking action on climate change, and delivering Victorian Renewable Energy Targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Microgrid projects are part of our plan to drive down energy prices, reduce emissions and create a pipeline of investment in renewable energy.”

“This initiative will allow more households and businesses in multi-tenanted buildings to take control of their energy bills.”