Queensland designates new LREZ for triple-generation solar PV

LREZ will enable customers to share the benefits of renewable energy, especially those who have not been able to invest in solar energy, with the support of Energy Queensland, the state-owned distribution system operator (DNO) and its on-site networks of grid-connected battery energy storage.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has committed A$40 million ($26 million) of state funding to support the pilot project, hoping it will “place Sunshine Coast rooftops at the center of the renewable energy transition,” a government document read.

LREZ will enable households with rooftop solar PV to transmit energy generated during the day to a local BESS system, which will then be transmitted back at night when energy consumption is highest.

The government has confirmed that the benefits will be made available across all Caloundra residential and commercial customer sites from January 2025.

Steven Miles said the LREZ will “maximize the use of existing grid and battery infrastructure to locally generate, store, share and utilize renewable energy.”

“Our AU$1,000 electricity rebates are helping Queenslanders overcome cost of living pressures today, but we also need to plan for the future and the LREZ is another way we are providing Queenslanders with cheaper, cleaner electricity and making sure we can harness natural resources in the Sunshine State,” Miles added.

Energy Queensland receives approval to build 18 grid-connected BESSs

Energy Queensland has received approval to supply an additional 18 grid-connected batteries. These batteries will play a significant role in the transition to providing clean, reliable and affordable energy for future generations.

The state government has allocated A$240 million from its budget to build 18 new batteries connected to the local grid across the state. The funding package also aims to support local producers and suppliers in many communities across the state.

The new batteries will be part of Stage 5 of Energy Queensland’s battery program. This phase will build on the success of previous phases, which have already seen the construction of 30 grid-connected batteries and three different flow battery systems across the state.

Energy Queensland chief engineer Peter Price said: “This combination of customer-owned batteries and grid batteries could provide peak power comparable to a coal-fired generator. Queensland already has more than 5 GW of solar power connected to Energy Queensland’s distribution networks, which is more than three times the size of its largest coal-fired generator.

The Queensland Government is targeting 12 REZs

Earlier this year (March 27), the Queensland Government published a plan to develop 12 REZs across the state.

The REZ, which aims to add 22 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2035, has been divided into three subregions. These include southern Queensland, central Queensland and northern and far north Queensland.

Due to existing coal-fired power stations and heavy electricity load, central Queensland is expected to be the first official REZ location. The first zone will be Callide REZ, comprising 2 GW and 2.6 GW of renewable capacity. Central Queensland already has nine solar plants and 48 renewable energy projects in the pipeline.