Technology and Infrastructure

Different types of distributed energy resources (DER) have been important in providing energy resilience to households and communities during bushfires and other extreme weather events, but there is a need for greater public understanding of the strengths and limitations of different technologies. 

Rooftop solar and batteries can provide a back-up electricity supply but only if specified and configured appropriately. Most solar-only systems shut down during grid outages.

I’d say is that it’s one of the big misunderstandings of most consumers that you get a battery, and you have power when the grid goes down […] not all systems do it.

Fossil-fuelled generators are the most common DER used to provide a back-up electricity supply during power outages due to low cost, ease of access, reliability portability and scalability, but they require regular maintenance and a supply of fuel, and create noise as well as greenhouse gasses and other emissions.

Solar generation is reduced by bad weather, smoke, ash and dirt, and both solar and batteries can be affected by extreme heat. However, our analysis shows the impacts of smoke are comparable to – and often less than – those of bad weather.

When the fires were close and the smoke was really thick, it was very little power, but I didn’t really think about it until the next day but the next day even though it was still moderately smoky, the sun came up and the power came on from the PV panels.

Decisions about DER investment need to move beyond simple payback calculations and to consider multiple benefits, including resilience to minor and major grid outages, reduced energy price risk and environmental benefits, as well as bill savings.

Understanding and managing how and when electricity is used is a key component of energy resilience. Energy priorities must be considered at the planning and system design stages, as well as during preparation for and management of extreme weather events.

Diversity of energy supply can increase energy resilience but may conflict with decarbonisation aims. Many participants use gas, biomass, fossil-fuel or disposable or rechargeable batteries to provide a range of services during extreme weather events. This tension has implications for the roll-out of household electrification.