Australia finds itself at a critical juncture in its energy landscape, as the nation grapples with the pressing need for reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy solutions. David Desfosses, the Smart Grid Solutions Lead at Tractebel ENGIE in Frankfurt, Germany, will share his insights on the transformative power of microgrids in resolving this energy trilemma at the upcoming All-Energy Australia 2023 conference.
Desfosses, originally from Melbourne but now based in Germany, is a staunch advocate for decentralizing the energy system, with a particular emphasis on the pivotal role of microgrids in this transition. He explains that microgrids are crucial in integrating renewables and storage locally, resulting in increased efficiency, reliability, and resiliency. They also eliminate the need for costly upgrades to transmission lines and substations, thereby reducing the cost of electricity.
Microgrids provide a buffer for grid utilities against peaks in energy demand, alleviating pressure on the network and minimizing power outages. They also play a vital role in supplying energy during severe weather events and natural disasters such as storms and bushfires.
Australia’s heavy reliance on coal-fired generation has created a carbon lock-in effect, hindering the nation’s progress towards renewable energy. Desfosses will examine the critical junctions within Australia where this lock-in effect can be dismantled, using the Multi-Level Perspective framework in his presentation at All-Energy Australia. He highlights the influence of government, utilities, and energy communities in steering the transition and emphasizes the rise of microgrids as a beacon of hope.
Desfosses explains that microgrids meet the demand for flexibility and control, allowing for the optimization of distributed energy resources and storage. The ability to switch between grid-connected and islanded modes of operation provides a safe and secure way to handle network faults and disruptions caused by storms and bushfires. Additionally, the use of renewables close to the source reduces infrastructure costs, resulting in lower electricity costs.
For Tractebel ENGIE, All-Energy Australia 2023 is not just a conference but a platform to drive change. The engineering firm, committed to a carbon-neutral future, has already made substantial contributions in Australia with projects such as Snowy Hydro 2.0 and the Yuri Hydrogen Plant. Desfosses believes Tractebel is well-positioned to play an active role in increasing energy security and reducing emissions and electricity costs in Australia.
Desfosses sees All-Energy Australia as an excellent opportunity to showcase Tractebel’s innovative solutions and provide tangible answers to the energy challenges posed by the energy trilemma. Through the conference, he aims to demonstrate the challenges and opportunities experienced in regions with similar characteristics to Australia, enabling a more efficient and rapid approach to integrating renewables and storage into the country’s electricity network.
All-Energy Australia 2023 will be held on October 25-26 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. David Desfosses will present on Day One, highlighting the transformative potential of microgrids in Australia’s energy transition.