Pioneering plant harnesses industry power

Australia’s first large scale operating virtual power plant is at work in Townsville, redirecting electricity generated in industry to the North’s households.

Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham was in Townsville today to welcome two major industrial customers to the virtual power “plant” – in reality, a high-tech control room.

The control room at Ergon’s CBD headquarters remotely draws electricity from customers around the state to bolster supply during peak demand --- and the foundation major customers are NQ’s Sun Metals Corporation and MSF Sugar.  

Dr Lynham welcomed their vote of confidence in the virtual power plant, managed by Yurika, an arm of publicly-owned Energy Queensland.

“The virtual power plant has already proved its worth during last week’s heatwave,” Dr Lynham said.

“When demand spiked for those air-conditioners last week, the plant drew 44 megawatts from a supplier in the south-east corner to help meet record peak demand.

“Not only is this plant taking pressure off the network, it will help reduce the volatility of wholesale prices in the National Electricity Market – a major driver of power prices.

“This is another element of the Palaszczuk Government’s $2 billion Affordable Energy Plan that will make power bills more affordable, and our publicly-owned electricity system more reliable.”

Four people currently staff the hub in Townsville’s CBD, with a total of 10 new positions eventually to be created as operations expand.

Sun Metals Zinc Refinery in Townsville is one of the largest consumers of energy in the state.  

Sun Metals CEO Yun Choi said: “The virtual power plant represents the future of energy and we are pleased to be a foundation customer.”

“We can see the benefits for our business and the community.”

MSF Sugar’s general manager business development Hywel Cook said the program was an example of innovative businesses working together to achieve a better outcome for the future. 

“Through the virtual power plant, we are working with Yurika to optimise our capacity for electricity generation and to better manage demand across our farms.

“While this will assist us in minimising costs, it will also assist with supply security across the energy network,” Mr Cook said. 

Yurika executive general manager Charles Rattray said the plant was already providing an immediate shot in the arm for Townsville with the extra staff and local contractors working on site inspection, hardware installation and asset maintenance. 

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Media contacts:

Dr Lynham - Jan Martin 0439 341 314

Sun Metals - Jeff Popp 0438 153 857              MSF Sugar - Wendy Hughes 0417 043 954

Yurika (Energy Queenslan)–Emma Oliveri 0457 566 079