Smart Energy Education House showcases the technology of tomorrow at the Ekka

Published Friday, 05 August, 2016 at 03:20 PM

Minister for Housing and Public Works
The Honourable Mick de Brenni

Queenslanders will be able to explore the latest in energy technology, including a Tesla electric vehicle, at this year’s Ekka when they visit the Smart Energy Education House.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the Smart Energy Education House was an initiative of the State’s newly merged electricity company, Energy Queensland.

“The House is fitted with solar panels, batteries from Tesla, Sunverge, Redflow and Redback, an interactive Home Energy Management System and comes complete with the newest Tesla S electric vehicle in the driveway,” Mr de Brenni said.

“It’s rare to see the Tesla S and Tesla Powerwall on display in the same place, so it’s great that we’ve got both right here at the Ekka.

“All this renewable energy technology is used to power appliances in the House, such as an air-conditioner, oven, washing machine, clothes dryer and television.

“The setup shows how the solar power stored in the battery can be used to power the appliances with the assistance of the Home Energy Management System, which lets the user turn the appliances on and off remotely.”

Mr de Brenni said the Smart Energy Education House showcased the technology of tomorrow.

“The House is part of the Ekka Education Trail, so thousands of school students from across Queensland will be able to see and learn about this future technology,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Queensland has the highest penetration of solar PV in the world and this is a great opportunity to start educating students at a young age about the important role renewable energy will play in our future.”

Energex Acting Chief Executive Officer Peter Weaver said the batteries displayed from Tesla, Sunverge, Redflow and Redback support Energex’s battery trials, which will inform decision-making about distribution management on the network in the future.

“In years to come, battery energy storage systems and distribution management technologies will form a key part of our network as we look to reduce demand and manage the load on the network by storing energy in batteries,” Mr Weaver said.

Ergon Energy Acting Chief Executive Roslyn Baker said the Smart Energy Education Housewould show students and families how Energex and Ergon Energy are giving Queenslanders choice and control on the network.

“While this is the technology of tomorrow, it is also available here and now and we are sure the Smart Energy Education House will generate a lot of interest at the Ekka,” she said.

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Media contacts:

Minister de Brenni:   Tristan Douglas           0447 164 197

Energex:                    Justin Coomber          0437 472 442

Ergon:                        Michael Dart               0408 880 581