Dubbo Regional Council will take part in a real-world trial of an energy management system with the University of NSW and TRaCE (Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy), looking at how rooftop solar, battery storage, electric vehicle charges and grid power work together.
The aim of the forward-thinking project is to demonstrate ways to optimise energy use in buildings, while also cutting costs.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Josh Black said the trial was a great way to see where Council could save money for other projects.
"The system will allow us to save money directly for our community.
"Financial sustainability is one of the areas we are very focused on at the moment, and a real challenge for Councils right now, and this project will allow us to reduce our operating costs, which in turn reduces the costs for our community," Clr Black said.
UNSW Project Leader Scientia Professor Deo Prasad AO said the project also aims to highlight how university research can directly support regional communities.
"This project brings together new technologies to enable full integration of building energy systems, including demand-side management, on-site solar generation (PV), and battery storage, to improve energy efficiency and resilience.
"Led by Associate Professor Lan Ding and Associate Professor Huadong Mo, the system incorporates AI-enabled modules that analyse data from weather stations to identify heatwaves and other peak events. This allows dynamic energy management through load monitoring and battery operation, enabling energy systems to plan usage in advance. Changes in building occupancy and operating hours can also be detected and managed. Dubbo, as a leading regional city, is the first to deploy this technology in a full-scale application."
The project brings together new technologies to enable full integration of building energy systems, including demand-side management, on-site solar generation (PV), and battery storage, to improve energy efficiency and resilience. The project is supported by Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy, Sungrow Australia and Advanced United Technologies Pty Ltd.
The system installed at DRC is the first prototype of the hybrid energy management system and will serve as a 'living lab', allowing researchers to fine-tune the system using real-time data.
The system will not only enhance energy efficiency for Council but also pave the way for sustainable energy management in buildings across the country.
