Planning and Governance for Decentralised Energy Assets in Medium-Density Housing: The WGV Gen Y Case Study

Abstract

The energy needs of most urban populations are serviced with centralised, fossil fuel based generation and transmission infrastructure. However, with the advent of affordable solar and storage technology, this will likely move towards an increasingly hybridised and decentralised model. While many households presently benefit from stand-alone solar photovoltaic systems, in higher density areas this technology is difficult to provide due to the way multi-dwelling buildings are governed. This paper examines a case study for a multi-dwelling, residential building called Gen Y within a bigger innovative development called WGV, in which a planning and governance structure has been developed to provide both financial incentive for the installation of renewable energy in multi-dwelling buildings, as well as to demonstrate how planning can best optimise the behind-the-meter installation and management of solar and battery technology. It suggests the building management company can become a precinct-scale utility.

城市人口对能源的需求大多通过集中的、基于化石燃料的发电、输电基础设施得以满足。 然而随着廉价的太阳能技术和储电技术的发展，满足城市能源需求的模式将越来越多样化 和分散化。许多家庭目前得益于独立太阳能光伏系统，但是在人口密集地段，由于多层住 宅建筑的管理方式，这种技术很难应用。本文研究创新型开发项目WGV 中一幢多层住宅 建筑Gen Y 的个案。这幢建筑采用了新的规划和管理结构，为多层建筑中安装可再生能 源提供经济鼓励，并说明规划如何最优化太阳能和电池技术的需求者方安装和管理。作者 提出物业管理公司可成为辖区管理者。

Keywords:

• Solar
• battery
• common user infrastructure
• microgrid
• local asset management
• renewable financing
• precinct-scale utility

Acknowledgements

Anna Evangelisti, Warren Phillips, Greg Ryan, Sue Smith, LandCorp, CRC for Low Carbon Living, Rod Hayes, James Darbyshire, Joshua Byrne, Vanessa Rauland, Jessica Breadsell, Holly Simpkin and Tiana Arya.

Notes

1. http://www.landcorp.com.au/Residential/White-Gum-Valley/