Ergon Energy has unveiled its plans for a high-voltage network-connected microgrid in Mossman Gorge, designed to boost reliability, power quality and community resilience at the fringe of the grid.
Ergon Energy General Manager Renewables and Distributed Energy, Glenn Springall, said the centrepiece of the pilot project is a network-connected battery that could be used to support the community during outages.
“This project is the first of its kind in Queensland and will include the installation of a network-connected battery to reduce the impact of power outages on the community.
“The battery will be a backup when grid supply isn’t available during planned and unplanned outages, including after severe weather events that cause damage to the upstream network.
“We are working with the community to maximise the benefits of the microgrid, which we aim to have up and running by the end of the year,” Mr Springall said.
Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation Group Chief Executive Officer, Joe Morrison, said it supported First Nations communities in achieving sustainable, culturally aligned solutions.
“As landowners of the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, where the microgrid will be built, we support projects, like the microgrid, that provide benefits to both community and the environment,” Mr Morrison said.
Ergon Energy said the Mossman Gorge community is ideal for the microgrid pilot project because it is small, has a source of surplus solar power and is located at the end of the line, more than 10km from the Mossman substation.
Ergon Energy Principal Engineer for fringe of grid projects Sophie Allen said that when there was a fault upstream on the high-voltage network, the microgrid would disconnect from the main grid and operate in ‘island mode’.
“The battery energy storage system will have the capacity to provide several hours of power, which is the length of the average outage in the community,” Ms Allen said.
“The battery will last longer if members of the community are able to reduce their electricity use when the microgrid is operating, so we will be sharing some energy-saving tips that will also help people save on the home front.
“The microgrid has the potential to make a big difference to the quality and reliability of the power supply at Mossman Gorge and the lessons learnt in this project will shape how we supply our fringe of grid customers in future.”
Construction is scheduled to start later in 2025, and Ergon Energy said the project should be completed early 2026, weather permitting.
