NSW Decarb Hub initiative seeks feedback from portable power users and suppliers
The NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub is seeking input from organisations and communities that use portable energy, as well as companies developing and delivering solutions, as it examines current needs, challenges and opportunities across portable and off-grid power.
The Electrification and Energy Systems Network arm of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub is seeking information from organisations and communities with portable energy needs, as well as companies developing and delivering portable energy solutions.
Through its Portable Energy Resilience Initiative, the Hub is exploring the future of portable energy in Australia and the challenges facing organisations that rely on portable or off-grid power.
Portable energy needs under examination
The Portable Energy Resilience Initiative covers applications ranging from emergency services and regional communities to events, critical infrastructure and remote operations.
The Hub says demand for portable energy solutions continues to grow, while rising fuel costs, fuel security challenges, 2030 emissions targets and ESG reporting requirements are leading many organisations to reassess their reliance on diesel generation.
According to the Hub, renewable energy solutions can reduce noise and emissions, as well as fuel handling risks and operating costs, while improving resilience in remote and off-grid environments.
“From emergency services and regional communities to events, critical infrastructure and remote operations, demand for portable energy solutions continues to grow.”
The initiative has separate registration pathways for organisations seeking portable energy solutions and those providing them.
Users asked about gaps in available technology
Organisations seeking portable energy solutions are being asked about their current requirements and the challenges they face in meeting them.
The registration process covers emergency response and disaster recovery, as well as community resilience, regional or remote operations and temporary infrastructure. Other nominated applications include critical infrastructure backup, agriculture, telecommunications and remote worksites.
Participants can indicate whether they consider existing portable energy solutions to meet their needs well, whether options are limited or whether they are poorly served. They can also indicate if they do not have enough information to assess the available options.
The user registration is open to organisations including emergency services, local and state government, community and regional development organisations, event organisers, utilities and infrastructure organisations, agriculture, mining and resources, telecommunications and education.
Providers invited to outline their capabilities
The provider registration seeks information from organisations involved in portable energy storage, battery manufacturing, energy technology, solar and microgrids, systems integration, research and consulting.
Providers are being asked to describe their products, services or solutions and identify the sectors their technology currently supports or is designed to support.
The sectors nominated by the Hub include emergency services, government, community organisations and regional and remote communities. The registration also covers agriculture, mining and resources, telecommunications, events, critical infrastructure and utilities.
Both users and providers are being asked about their interest in a future networking event. The Decarb Hub says it is exploring opportunities to connect end users with portable energy solution providers.
Providers can also register interest in activities including case study presentations, technology demonstrations, sponsorship, exhibitions, roundtables and partnership discussions. Users can express interest in industry forums, demonstrations, roundtable discussions, networking, case study presentations and industry updates.
Industry participation sought
For NSW organisations in sectors specifically identified by the Portable Energy Resilience Initiative, including mining and resources, agriculture, telecommunications, utilities and infrastructure, the current registration process provides a way to outline their portable energy requirements or existing solutions and indicate their interest in future Decarb Hub activities.
