MERC Guide

Taking control of your own power generation is the ultimate way to reduce your exposure to energy supply risks. It requires an investment in the infrastructure and skills required, but is well worth considering if it makes sense for your organisation.

The sorts of things that are worth considering here are:

• Solar photovoltaic systems - fixed
  In Australia the dominant way organisations produce their own power is through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on rooftops, or open ground. Unless demand shifting is possible, it usually requires local energy storage too.

• Solar photovoltaic systems - mobile
  Increasingly we are seeing mobile solar photovoltaic systems on vehicle or vessel roofs. This makes the most sense when it is not the only way energy is generated, and the vehicles or vessels are at least using hybrid electric propulsion.

• Wind turbines
  In many places it can be efficient to consider using a local wind turbine to supplement energy generation from solar PV or grid sources. Due to the intermittent of wind in most places it is again worth investing in local energy storage.

• Microgrid infrastructure
  If you are trying to remove your dependency on grid electricity, then you will want to consider creating a local microgrid that can support multiple devices or electricity consumers.

One option we would not recommend is local diesel generators. Being able to isolate from the grid by having local diesel generators is one way to create your own energy, but of course it is just switching one external supply (grid electricity) for another (diesel fuel). If that appeals, then consider reviewing the maintain backup energy storage locally action.