Smart Hot Water System
- $40k Funded by ARENA
- $61k Total project cost
Summary
The Smart Hot Water System project aims to prove that a fleet of systems can be centrally controlled to manage reverse power flows into the grid and improve power system reliability.
How the project works
The Smart Hot Water System project involves developing a prototype and conducting a small customer trial of a Smart Hot Water System. The system uses home energy usage predictions and weather data to optimally use excess solar PV to heat hot water, limit reverse power flows into the grid, and maximise homeowner economic benefits.
This project consists of:
Learn more
Media Release: Distributed Energy Projects Awarded Nearly $10 Million
ARENA awarded funding to 12 projects and studies to further integrate distributed energy resources (DER) into the electricity system.
Area of innovation
The areas of innovation include:
- using home energy usage predictions and weather data to optimise the use of excess solar PV generation for water heating;
- treating hot water systems as an energy storage system; and
- providing distribution networks with visibility and control of a fleet of smart hot water systems in a similar way to how batteries are used in Virtual Power Plants.
Benefit
This project has the potential to:
- increase the number of homes that can benefit from solar PV installations by limiting reverse power flows into the grid;
- provide distribution networks with visibility and control of hot water systems as an energy storage resource to help stabilise the grid; and
- deliver energy cost savings to customers by optimising the use of excess solar energy to heat hot water.
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