An urban solar station on the rooftop of DHL Supply Chain’s (DHL’s) new warehouse in Sydney’s west has the ability to direct solar energy either partially or fully to the consumer onsite, or directly trade the energy on the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Developed by Epho Commercial Solar and partially funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Association (ARENA), ‘Bright Thinkers Power Station’ (BTPS) technology will power the 1.7 MW solar PV system — installed on the roof of the 31,457 m2 Horsley Park warehouse.
“We installed the Epho system for guaranteed green energy,” DHL Supply Chain Australia & New Zealand CEO Saul Resnick said.
“This warehouse, purpose-built for the healthcare industry, has complex energy requirements and this system allows for flexibility. We are committed to our Group’s GoGreen goal to achieve net-zero logistics-related emissions by 2050. Solutions like this one contribute to that goal and provide the best green outcomes for our customers and the community.”
Epho partnered with Siemens to develop the control system, featuring switching technology that segregates electricity through two separate channels. The dynamic switching is enabled by an algorithm based on solar PV output, the electricity wholesale market and tenant demand.
Epho Managing Director Dr Oliver Hartley explained, “Epho developed the BTPS concept to allow large rooftop solar systems to be connected both behind the meter as well as independent, market-registered power stations.
“Epho’s innovation allows the entire roof area to be utilised and that the roof can be turned into a market-participating urban power station.
“It was absolutely wonderful to experience how a vague idea scribbled onto a whiteboard over two years ago turned into one of the most exciting new developments in the distributed energy resources sector.”
Australia has enormous potential for solar power systems on industrial roofs. Urban power stations near metropolitan areas are set to play a big part in building a low-emission Australian economy.
Epho Head of Business Development Matt Scaddan highlighted, “The question always was how we can unlock this potential and, potentially, Epho’s BTPS technology could be the key, because the technology facilitates a low-risk win/win/win situation between the customer, the landlord and the solar asset developer.”
Image courtesy of Epho Commercial Solar Energy.
