The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, is well known for its renewable solar power generation, from its Warwick Solar Farm to the extensive solar PV arrays on их campuses. Now UQ can store its solar power too, with one of Queensland’s largest behind-the-meter battery storage systems.
UQ has flicked the switch on its own Tesla energy storage system as part of the university’s aim to become 100% renewable powered by onsite generation.
UQ chief operating officer Greg Pringle said:
“We are on track to become the first university in the world to offset 100 per cent of our electricity use using our own renewable energy generation.”
“To put it into perspective, the university uses a large amount of electricity to power lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries and other facilities for more than 50,000 students and staff.”
Source: The University of Queensland / UQ's Engineering Precinct Battery system
UQ has funded the installation of the Tesla energy storage system using energy savings generated from the university’s existing solar arrays.
The university hopes to use the Tesla battery system to participate in the wider energy market, using software developed by one its engineering graduates to coordinate the charge/discharge cycle of the battery with wholesale electricity prices.
UQ’s Energy and Sustainability Manager Andrew Wilson said the Powerpack was a key component of the University’s plan to become an active participant in the energy market from the start of 2020.
Source: The University of Queensland / UQ's Engineering Precinct Battery system
“We can now trade in the wholesale energy market – the goal is to charge when prices are low and renewable energy is abundant, and then discharge when demand and prices are high,” said Wilson.
The Tesla Powerpack battery system delivers 2 megawatt-hours of energy storage, which can store energy equivalent to around 163 Powerwall 2 batteries, and will help The University of Queensland meet its renewable energy goals.
In mid-December UQ has announced its Tesla Powerpack battery system is now operational and will soon be put to work to generate revenue for the University.
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Featured image: The University of Queensland / UQ's Engineering Precinct Battery system
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Eva Fox
Eva Fox joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover breaking news as an automotive journalist. The main topics that she covers are clean energy and electric vehicles. As a journalist, Eva is specialized in Tesla and topics related to the work and development of the company.
