A 1 MWh hybrid redT system is now operational at Australia’s largest university. This vanadium flow/lithium-ion hybrid energy storage system is now installed and operational at a site in Monash University. The system is the largest behind the meter C&I (Commercial & Industrial) energy storage system to be installed in Australia and the first of its type to be commissioned worldwide. It comprises 900 kWh (12 tank units) of vanadium flow machine technology, coupled alongside a 120 kW C1-rated lithium battery.

redT’s energy storage solution sits at the heart of a pioneering microgrid, storing and dispatching energy from multiple sources, including 1 MW of solar panels. By utilising the complementary strengths of two storage technologies, the hybrid system will act as a flexible platform, integrating with building management systems and EV charging stations whilst enabling cutting-edge “peer-to-pool” energy trading. This project is a core part of the University’s Net Zero Initiative, an ambitious, unprecedented project which aims to completely transform how the university uses energy with a target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The Australian energy storage market is estimated to be worth approximately A$30 billion by 2030 with almost 400 MWh of energy storage projects estimated to be installed in behind-the-meter C&I applications nationwide by 2022 according to industry consultants Delta-ee.

Scott McGregor, CEO of redT said: “Energy storage unlocking low cost renewables will bring about a significant reduction in energy costs for Australian businesses. Monash University is leading the market with this pioneering project and we are proud to provide their integrated energy storage solution.

This project will demonstrate the economic benefits of lithium as a short term power solution alongside Flow Machine technology which acts as heavy duty, baseload energy storage infrastructure, capturing more solar energy to reduce overall energy costs.”

Scott Ferraro, Program Director, Net Zero Initiative, Monash University: “We’re very happy to be working with redT on this exciting project. redT’s energy storage infrastructure is one of the core components of the microgrid being developed as part of our Net Zero Initiative, enabling us to dispatch renewable energy more effectively across the campus and help achieve our goal of net zero emissions by 2030.”