Endeavour Energy has announced that it has signed a new three-year agreement with the University of Wollongong, extending their existing partnership to support Endeavour Energy’s transition to a clean energy grid.
The agreement with the University’s Australian Power Quality Research Centre (APQRC) will involve new research focused on driving improvements to customer-led renewable energy solutions, that will support Endeavour’s energy transition while ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for customers.
The continuation of the partnership was announced at the Illawarra Clean Energy Summit and Expo on 14 August, hosted by Business Illawarra, Endeavour Energy and Oceanex. The summit presented expert discussions on opportunities for making the Illawarra a future clean energy, renewables and clean manufacturing powerhouse.
Endeavour Energy CEO, Guy Chalkley, said the extension of the partnership until 2025, would enable Endeavour Energy to leverage the latest research, technology and data to build the foundations of a rapidly evolving electricity network.
“As the electricity distribution network that’s been powering Wollongong for more than 100 years, we regularly engage with our customers to understand their changing energy needs and priorities,” Mr Chalkley said.
“We know from extensive research that our customers value resilience, reliability and affordability, and planning now for a future grid is a priority. This partnership will help us deliver better renewable energy solutions for our customers while ensuring our grid is prepared for the rapid energy transition taking place.
“Universities are at the forefront of research into renewable energy, and this collaboration will help us develop solutions so our customers can confidently and affordably move to an electrified clean energy future.”
Mr Chalkley praised the enduring partnership that has delivered critical programs for Endeavour Energy, which include vital modelling to build an electricity network that can host the rapid uptake of renewable energy from solar expected over the coming years.
“There is a long list of impactful initiatives that have come from this collaboration, including the centre’s work in helping us develop the Customer Energy Resource (CER) strategy, a critical component that is helping our network connect renewable energy.
“We were able to leverage this work in the development of the first community microgrid of its kind in New South Wales, at Bawley Point and Kioloa, which will be operational by the end of this year.
“This is such a critical partnership and I look forward to the exciting work we will deliver together over the next three years to help us drive our aggressive road map to decarbonise the grid.”
Since the partnership’s inception, the APQRC has trained more than 100 Endeavour Energy employees in the integration of renewable energy technologies into electricity supply through projects including evaluating the impact and performance of solar inverters. It has also delivered an extensive suite of research, data and analytics for Endeavour Energy’s research and development projects.
University of Wollongong Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Patricia M Davidson, said the partnership reaffirmed one of the University’s strongest ties to industry and acknowledged the first and only power quality research centre in Australia that is recognised globally.
“The APQRC is a shining example of the power of collaboration for the benefit of customers, the community and industry,” Prof Davidson said.
“Robust partnerships between academia and business are essential to Australia’s move towards a green energy future.”
Over the next three years Endeavour Energy and APQRC will work together on future grid projects that include the network impacts of electric vehicles, microgrids, energy storage, and building energy resilient communities.
