Those applying for home loans in Kwinana or other suburbs in the Rockingham area may be interested in Alkimos Beach, a master planned community located in Alkimos, 42 km north of Perth. Thanks to the State Government and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Alkimos Beach will soon be an “electrical community” in a trial program led by Synergy.

The trial will encourage residents to use renewable sources for electricity and allow them to both store the energy and put it back into the community’s power grid. Energy Minister Mike Nahan is optimistic that the trail could “set new standards” in designing infrastructure and managing distribution of power during peak demand. He is also confident that it could help consumers begin a “long term shift in energy use” while saving money.

The trial is going to cost $6.7 million. The first step will be to install a storage device with a capacity of 1.1MWh in Alkimos Beach. Residents will be offered rebates for solar energy and energy-efficient appliances such as a hot water system. Consumers will be able to track their energy use and energy generation via an in-home energy usage display unit.

Residents will receive discounts on network electricity as part of a variable price plan. Energy advisers will be available to teach residents how to save money by reducing energy use.

What it Means to You

According to Dr Nahan, “Energy storage technology is the next innovation in energy markets.” He feels that its effects will be far reaching, changing the face of how energy infrastructure is designed, built and operated in new communities.

Since we expect more growth and more new communities in the Kwinana and Rockingham areas, we may begin to see more of this closer to home. If you are building a new home, you may want to think hard about solar panels and other energy efficient technology.

For more information or to enquire about a home loan, call Smartline Rockingham today: (08) 9527 1800.