The Community Grid Project launches with a ‘Local Energy Hero’ competition

On Thursday December 7, Mornington Peninsula Shire were joined by representatives from electricity network provider United Energy and technology company GreenSync to officially launch the Community Grid Project at the Eco Living Display Centre, at the Briars in Mount Martha.

On Thursday December 7, Mornington Peninsula Shire were joined by representatives from electricity network provider United Energy and technology company GreenSync to officially launch the Community Grid Project at the Eco Living Display Centre, at the Briars in Mount Martha.

The Community Grid Project is an initiative that aims to harness the power of demand response and facilitate the uptake of new renewable energy technologies on the Mornington Peninsula while continuing to deliver a safe and reliable supply of energy.

A partnership between United Energy, the Mornington Peninsula Shire and GreenSync, The Community Grid Project is also supported by the Victorian Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund.

By utilising a range of energy technologies, The Community Grid Project will avoid a $30 million expenditure on a new transmission line from Hastings to Rosebud.

Officially commencing in November 2018, GreenSync will engage and incentivise households, small businesses and community organisations on the lower Mornington Peninsula (Safety Beach, across to Point Leo, Flinders and Portsea) to help them reduce and/or shift their electricity usage voluntarily or through the use of energy smart systems.

With many industries in the region, larger commercial organisations will also play a pivotal role in the community grid project by utilising GreenSync technology to help control or curtail their discretionary loads, or monetise existing onsite generation.

With the start of the program less than 12 months away, the Community Grid Project is now encouraging local residents to register their interest via the website, and go into the draw to win one of three Flex Home Energy Monitors and a $500 voucher towards solar or a battery installation for your home.

Councillor Payne encourages local residents to do their homework about The Community Grid Project to see how it can benefit their home and the community.

“This initiative will help residents save money on their electricity in the long term and benefit their local community.

“The Shire supports Greensync and The Community Grid Project as it works towards assisting the community respond to climate change. This aligns well with the Shire’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2021,” said Councillor Payne.

GreenSync GM of Product Strategy, Bruce Thompson, said that this was an important program to showcase how technology can be at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions to the industry.

“United Energy is one of the first energy utilities worldwide to embrace new technologies that involve community participation,” he said.

“The Mornington Peninsula itself sees peaks in energy usage on a handful of hot days in summer when the population doubles due the influx of holidaymakers.

“By harnessing technology innovations and encouraging community participation, we are working together to create a solution that has benefits year round, including environmental sustainability and improved costs over the longer term.”

By registering with the Community Grid project, residents and businesses across Mornington Peninsula will have access to advice, products and services through Positive Charge, a social enterprise committed to providing trustworthy, low cost and up-to-date energy saving advice and services.

To find out more visit www.communitygridproject.com.au to find out more.