Intelligent energy networks

Microgrid Platform

Our microgrid on the Clayton campus is designed to receive and store energy from various renewable energy sources and assist us to reduce demand and strain on the network.

Monash Microgrid

Monash developed a precinct scale microgrid platform as part of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funded Smart Energy City project.

The Smart Energy City project enables control of distributed energy resources, including a minimum of one MW of solar panels, 20 buildings, electric vehicle charging stations and one MWh of energy storage.



These assets will be monitored in real-time, optimised to ensure efficient and reliable supply of electricity and connected to a transactive energy market, developed by Monash University's leading eResearch Centre, which will allow each asset to independently buy and sell electricity, and optimise energy use in response to pricing signals.

The Smart Energy City introductory report highlights the microgrid platform being developed, and key questions highlighted by industry stakeholders.

Microgrid toolbox

An online resource about Microgrids and how to develop them. Explore the toolbox here.

Battery

Invinity energy storage system Monash has partnered with energy storage company Invinity (previously redT) to deploy a 1 MWh energy storage system. The battery is located in the Biomedical Learning and Teaching Building at Clayton campus. This commercial energy storage system is the first ‘hybrid’ energy storage system in Australia that combines vanadium redox flow and lithium-ion technology under one control scheme. Experience from this system will inform the future rollout of additional battery energy storage to enable the full benefits of the microgrid functionality.

Electric vehicle chargers

We have four electric vehicle chargers installed and in operation at Clayton campus, and one at Caulfield campus, with further rollout planned. The electric vehicle charges will be integrated into the Monash Microgrid allowing users to participate in transactive market events.

Microgrid Electricity Market Operators Project

The Microgrid Electricity Market Operator (MEMO) demonstrates the market potential for a third-party entity responsible for microgrids. The project demonstrated how this entity can manage customers’ energy use preferences, and use those preferences to create economic value to optimise customer costs.

This is achieved by providing a means for customers to participate in providing energy services to broader markets. This project was supported by the Victorian Government’s Microgrid Demonstration Initiative.

Find out more about the MEMO project.