Page 31 - Climate Control News Magazine March 2019
P. 31

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY IS investing $30 million in a renewable energy Microgrid which will pow- er the Waurn Ponds Campus.
Deakin is partnering with AusNet Services and Mondo to develop an industrial-scale micro- grid energy system to provide an integrated re- search and education platform, and contribute to the University’s sustainability goals.
The project is underpinned by a 14.5 hectare solar energy farm with a one megawatt central battery and integrates rooftop solar panels and smaller batteries across the campus.
Construction is set to begin with the micro- grid project completed at the end of the year.
Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hol- lander said the partnership with AusNet Services would make them leaders in the development of innovative energy systems, while also enabling the University to reduce its carbon footprint.
“We are experiencing growing global need for re- search in innovative renewable energy systems, and the demands on energy networks are changing rapidly as technology and knowledge tries to keep up with the growing shift by industry, consumers and governments towards sustainable generation and distribution,” Professor den Hollander said.
“This partnership gives Deakin an unparal- leled opportunity to help drive the renewable en- ergy revolution by providing unique opportuni- ties for researchers to develop and test solutions at an industrial scale and train the next genera- tion of energy professionals.
“The University will also be able to reduce car- bon emissions by an estimated 12,000 tonnes per year and generate half of the Waurn Ponds cam- pus’ energy needs on-site, supporting Deakin’s aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030.
AusNet Services managing director Nino Fic-
ca said the partnership provides career path- ways for those seeking to build, run and main- tain the energy networks of the future.
“This micro-grid project will not only provide clean, renewable energy but also a world-class learning and education hub,” Ficca said.
Mondo executive general manager Chad Hy- mas said Mondo Power connects Australia’s re- newables to the grid, maintains electricity, wa- ter and gas networks, and supports communities in achieving their energy goals.
Mondo is an independent subsidiary of Aus- Net Services which is Victoria’s largest energy delivery service business, owning and operating over $11 billion of electricity and gas transmis- sion and distribution assets. ✺
ABOVE: Professor Jane den Hollander and Nino Ficca turning the sod for the new microgrid project.
LEFT: The Waurn Ponds Campus.
Energy Cost Reduction & Monitoring
Industrial-scale microgrid to power university
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CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS MARCH 2019
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