The Australian Government is supporting Hivve, an Australian technology start-up that has created Australia's first off-grid, solar and battery-powered classroom at Bracken Ridge State High School in Brisbane.
Following trials supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Hivve classroom's technology creates power to run its climate-controlled, state-of-the-art learning space as well as feed excess power back into the school network.
The Hivve classroom in Brisbane includes rooftop solar PV and a Tesla Powerwall battery for energy storage which will ensure the students can continue to learn when the sun isn't shining while reducing energy costs.
Energy savings from the Hivve classroom are expected to be as high as $3,000 per classroom per year, as well as saving schools the upfront cost of connecting a new classroom to the power supply, which can cost as much as $30,000.
This project demonstrates a model for schools to lower their costs by reducing energy consumption in classrooms and reliance on the grid.
The Government, through ARENA, has supported Hivve with over $350,000 in funding for three classrooms which are being trialled at Bracken Ridge SHS as well as Dapto High School and Holsworthy Catholic Primary School in New South Wales. The trials were funded through a 50:50 partnership.
Hivve expect to roll-out a number of the classrooms nationally and are in discussions with other states following the success of the trial.
This project highlights the benefits of combining renewable energy and storage to ensure energy is available when it is needed, not just when the sun shines.
