The RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre, in partnership with RMIT, Coliban Water, C4Net, Sydney Water, and Monash University, has launched its new Energy Flexibility for Water Corporations Project, which aims to address the challenges of the renewable transition for high demand users to net zero carbon emissions.
The transition to renewable energy is critical for a more sustainable future, and high demand users such as heavy industry and utility providers, hold the key to achieving this goal.
The shift to renewable energy poses several challenges, such as developing effective demand management strategies, assessing risks and benefits, and evaluating the impact on the electricity network.
In response, the RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre launched the Energy flexibility for water corporations project to investigate demand management and energy trading strategies that support renewable adoption for high demand users, benefitting all stakeholders.
The Energy Flexibility for Water Corporations Project includes:
- Addressing issues including demand management strategies, impacts on electricity networks as well as the risk and benefits for relevant stakeholders
- Developing practical demand management and energy trading strategies that facilitate renewable energy adoption
- Providing a roadmap for the successful transition of high demand users to net zero carbon emissions
- Conducting a case study alongside the water utility corporations aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030 to provide insight into the practical and effective strategies for transitioning to net zero carbon emissions
This research project will support Coliban Water in achieving their renewable energy targets to cost-effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. It will also investigate the feasibility of models of demand management that benefit stakeholders including electricity network owners and surrounding communities.
The Energy Flexibility for Water Corporations Project represents a significant step forward in the transition to a more sustainable future and will provide valuable insights for stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, particularly in the water sector.
Research Lead at RMIT, Rebecca Yang, said she is proud to be part of an initiative that seeks to tackle the dual challenges of carbon reduction and energy flexibility.
“Water utilities play a vital role in local communities, but they also generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. Our project aims to explore the potential of a novel energy structure that harnesses communities’ renewable generation capacity to reduce these emissions and improve the energy flexibility of water utilities. By working with the industry partners, we can build more sustainable water infrastructure for everyone,” Ms Yang said.
