You can run faster alone, but further, together.
If you’re faced with a problem you can’t seem to solve, let us know.
We might have solved it already, and if not we’ll set our brightest minds to the task to deliver an industry-leading solution.
With a powerful and versatile platform, the right people and the right attitude, virtually anything is possible.
Our cloud platform - Stormcloud - delivers visibility and insights into distributed energy resources, and also control, opening the door to orchestration as well as energy services and opportunities that simply never existed before. Stormcloud’s capabilities can be combined in all kinds of ways, to offer real world solutions for the grid of today, and tomorrow.
A Scaleable, Secure and Validated Solution
But the true value lies in what you can do with it. Many of our breakthroughs have come from collaborating with partners, working in close consultation with network service providers or energy retailers to solve some of the grid’s trickiest problems.
So if you’re not sure if we can help, just ask. We love where those sorts of conversations go.
Here’s a few examples of real-world solutions we’ve already developed.
Community batteries, potential unleashed
As the fastest adopters of rooftop solar in the world, Australia is racing ahead of everyone in this regard. And with 30 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired energy planned to disappear by 2040, we need to harness as much of that solar as possible.
Increased PV adoption rates, along with smarter storage are part of the solution, and mid-sized community batteries are one way of achieving that.
They’re a lower cost, more effective approach than household batteries, and can reduce potentially damaging energy flows during peak periods by about 50 per cent.
In order for community batteries to fulfill their potential, however, they need to be visible to the network operator, and the energy market. They need to be able to interact with the grid, allowing for dynamic network agreements, for example, and they need to support the fair and equitable distribution of their services. The ultimate goal is for market participation to be possible for all.
The good news is, we already offer behind-the-meter and front-of-meter solutions to make this happen.
‘Behind the meter’ community battery example
In an embedded (private) network with other DER assets, with orchestration by SwitchDin
‘Front of meter’ community battery example
Battery owned by distribution network operator, with orchestration by SwitchDin
Virtual power plants, virtual no more
Another way of maximising the grid’s renewables hosting capacity, as well as creating a flexible solution that helps stabilise everything, is by connecting a range of distributed energy assets such as solar, storage and loads, together.
If there’s too much solar on the grid - a good problem to have - then storage and loads such as air conditioning, and pool pumps can be turned on to soak up the excess, otherwise solar inverters may need to be turned down or shut off.
In order to orchestrate solar, batteries and loads, however, they obviously need to be able to communicate with each other - and this is a big hurdle given these devices weren’t necessarily made to be controlled.
And that’s what we do. Connect all the various devices in a secure, simple and reliable way that allows 'device to control room' management of distributed energy resources.
Our technology integrates with all the most popular assets and brands, and creates a uniform platform for VPP participating systems, in a smart and manageable way.
And this is great news for the end user. Why? Because their energy asset just got a pay rise.
Learn more about how SwitchDin can help you run a virtual power plant
Microgrids now, mainstream tomorrow
Australia’s vast land mass and sparse population make it the perfect setting for microgrids. And in remote areas, or situations where there’s a need for homes, businesses or communities to isolate from the main grid, they’re the ideal solution.
From residential precincts to mine sites, to remote communities and agricultural facilities, microgrids are designed to be able to operate independently of the main grid, and therefore the overriding priority is invariably energy security.
In order for it all to work properly, of course, you need distributed energy resources to integrate and be managed within the microgrid, whilst also integrating into the utility’s control systems, and that’s where we come in.
Droplets connect to everything, including solar inverters, battery storage systems and DREDs, and create a common language allowing the smooth integration and operation of distributed energy resources in microgrids.
It’s secure, simple, low risk and vendor agnostic.
Drop us a line to discuss your virtual power plant, microgrid, community battery, or embedded network project.
