Australian businesses are embracing solar, and virtual power plants hold the key to unlocking its full potential. So the question for these businesses is: what’s next?
The rise of solar and wind generation is re-shaping the economics of energy, driving changes in how power is produced, priced and consumed for business.
In 2024, Australian businesses invested in solar like never before, with a record-breaking 1GW installed on commercial buildings across the country.
But generation alone isn’t enough. To fully realise the value of solar, businesses need smarter, more responsive systems that can store energy, optimise usage and respond to market conditions in real-time.
That’s where virtual power plants (VPPs) come in.
By linking assets such as solar and battery storage, VPPs create a single, unified energy network, optimising how and when energy is used.
Battery storage isn’t just about backup power or solar soak up – it’s a strategic asset that helps businesses take control of their energy future.
Linking the solar and battery storage assets of a business together can support decarbonisation efforts, while benefiting operationally, contributing to a cleaner, more resilient and cost‑effective energy system.
RACV Commercial Energy Solutions (CES) is among the first to show how this works at a commercial scale.
In 2024, the organisation launched the VPP at its Torquay and Inverloch resorts in Victoria, aggregating two 500kW batteries. Together, the batteries provide a total capacity of one megawatt – the storage equivalent of approximately 20 average electric vehicle batteries.
The cutting-edge technology uses algorithms and automated systems to determine the best times to store and sell energy, transforming solar systems into a flexible, revenue-generating asset.
RACV CES Head of Commercial Energy, Tim Nichols, said the system has delivered clear commercial benefits for the company. “The VPP has allowed us to manage energy costs and generate revenue, all while contributing to grid stability by feeding energy back into the grid during periods of high demand,” he said.
Following the successful rollout, RACV CES is now offering the same VPP product to help other businesses cut costs and contribute to a cleaner energy future.
For businesses looking to implement a similar solution that combines solar energy storage while maximising its value, a call to RACV’s commercial energy team is a must. The organisation can deliver a specifically‑tailored, end-to-end solution for any business. With RACV CES’s VPP, businesses can turn new and existing renewable investments into dynamic, responsive energy assets. And it’s not limited to just solar and batteries – other controllable assets, such as heat pumps and flexible energy loads, can also be integrated if they meet the VPP’s requirements.
RACV CES offers more than just a VPP. It offers a pathway for businesses to reduce energy costs, unlock new revenue and contribute to a stable energy future.
For businesses ready to take the next step, the future is now with RACV.
For more information, visit racv.com.au/vpp
