Stand Alone Power Systems

What is a Stand Alone Power System?

Ausgrid is trialling Stand Alone Power Systems (known as SAPS) to;

1. Improve reliability for remote and regional customers 
2. Increase cost savings for all customers
3. Provide a safer network for all customers and our work force
4. Support the transition to renewable energy.

The Stand Alone Power Systems will be trialled initially in the Upper Hunter and Hunter Valley areas.

Over the next two years, Ausgrid will offer targeted landowners in the identified trial areas, who live in hard to access or remote environments and where the supply of electricity is likely to be more efficient via a Stand Alone Power System, the chance to be part of this innovative program.

Stand alone power systems operate independently of the grid and supply continuous power 24 hours a day, using a mix of solar and battery storage and backup generation.  

It is a local solution that allows customers and the wider community to share in the multiple benefits that stand-alone power systems can provide. The Ausgrid Stand Alone Power Systems trial aims to show how;

• the installation of a SAPS could improve reliability and resilience during storm events for identified participants 

• cost savings to all customers could be achieved as a result of not having to repair and maintain remote parts of the distribution network. 

SAPS Trial - Update

Ausgrid is selecting ten landowners who live in hard to access or remote environments in the Cessnock, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter local government areas to participate in our initial SAPS trial. 
 
The selection process has included the assessment of responses to a survey distributed to approximately 2,500 Ausgrid customers. Their responses provided insights on the community’s perspectives on SAPS and information to identify suitable participants.
 
The selection also included the assessment of customers who expressed their interest in participating and/or receiving information through our online SAPS trial register.

We are currently having meetings with selected customers to provide more information about the trial. In the near future, Ausgrid will organise an energy audit with selected customers to better understand their energy consumption habits. Once this is done, the final group of ten selected customers will effectively participate in the SAPS trial.

What are the benefits

The key benefits of a SAPS deployment will be the reduction in cost of maintenance and an increase in resilience and reliability of the customer supply for those hard-to-reach areas of the network. 

Future benefits of a successful trial include a reduction in bushfire and safety risk when remote poles and wires are able to be removed. Also, where there are clusters of inhabitants, these systems could be expanded into a micro-grid. This trial is a first step and if successful will inform a potential larger trial. 

Have another question?  Email Ausgrid Innovation Program on innovation@ausgrid.com.au.