Energy Smart Buildings and Infrastructure

The Shire continues to invest in both innovative and tried-and-true pathways to achieve energy efficiency, cost savings, and decarbonisation in our buildings and infrastructure.

Solar Rollout

To date, we have installed or facilitated approximately 2.1 MW of solar capacity on Shire-operated and tenanted buildings, with an annual generation potential of 2,768 MWh. This is equivalent to 2,382t CO₂ avoided, or roughly $560,055 in savings a year!

In addition, between 2017 and 2023, the Shire worked in partnership to offer Environmental Upgrade Finance (EUF) to eligible businesses resulting in the installation of approximately 1.2MW of solar.

Highlights:

62 systems installed on 48 Shire-operated buildings
59 tenanted facilities with solar
16 systems at 14 private businesses facilitated through Environmental Upgrade Finance

For a visual representation of our installs to date, check out the interactive map below.
Use the search tool or click on a map symbol to view the upgrade information.

Virtual Energy Network Pilot

1. What is a Virtual Energy Network (VEN)?

A VEN is a decentralised energy system that shifts the way in which energy is managed from the traditional generator –> retailer –> consumer model to a model that allows end-user control over how energy is sourced, generated, stored and distributed between participating sites.

VEN 1 REDONE.png

2. How does it work?

Through a digital platform (Enosi Powertracer), a VEN enables participants to share solar through the existing electricity grid for an agreed price. Solar producers (generators) can sell surplus energy at favourable rates, while consumers (off-takers) can access locally generated solar energy at competitive prices.

Key features include:

Peer-to-peer trading of solar across sites within a customer portfolio (e.g. between Council sites).
Third-party trading for shared value with external participants (e.g., other councils or community groups, low-income housing providers).
Battery integration for load shifting and virtual power plant (VPP) capabilities.

3. Why are we exploring this and how can it be applied to operations?

Behind-the-meter solar is now recognised as the cheapest form of energy available. Operating a VEN further increases the value of solar, enabling the Shire to achieve greater cost savings, improve the case for new solar and storage, and enhance resilience to climate change and energy market volatility.

This approach aligns with:

Strategic objective to improve financial sustainability and asset performance.
The need for cost-effective electrification of buildings and fleet.
Importance of addressing resilience of local energy systems.
Council’s legislated responsibility to act on climate change.

4. Our Pilot

The Shire, in partnership with ReThink Sustainability, undertook a 12-month, 30-site pilot to assess the feasibility of a VEN to deliver triple bottom line benefits across its operations. The pilot served to inform a value proposition, which modelled outputs of VEN implementation inclusive of portfolio-wide solar build-out.

Key Findings:

Proof of Concept: Demonstrated technical viability of peer-to-peer, third-party trading, battery scheduling, and load shifting via the Enosi platform.
Operational Cost Savings: VEN Stage 1 implementation is projected to save up to $2.37 million over system lifetime.
Environmental Benefits: Solar self-consumption and VEN solar-trading can reduce year one emissions by an estimated 813 tonnes CO_₂e.
Social & Strategic: The VEN can enhance energy resilience and reduced exposure to volatile retail markets. Additionally, it supports electrification and a transition away from fossil fuels.
Risk Management: Identified risks can be controlled through strategic procurement, a staged roll-out, maintaining energy contract flexibility, and ongoing expert oversight.

Tenanted Facility Solar Incentivisation Trial

The Shire is offering a new co-funding program designed to promote uptake of solar for community groups and commercial tenants in Shire-owned buildings. This program aims to help overcome the barrier of prohibitive installation costs while helping our tenants to reduce their energy bills and support the uptake of renewable energy.

What is it and how will it work?

The Shire will work with eligible tenants to assess suitability of solar on their tenanted facility. If deemed suitable, the tenant will be presented a design proposal at which point they will have the opportunity to opt-in through a formal agreement.

The Shire will pay all upfront costs of system installation and manage construction from start to finish. Once operational, the Shire will bill the tenant pre-determined, interest free, repayment fees until system costs have been fully reimbursed. Reimbursements will be calculated so as not to exceed the expected annual savings (bill reductions) resulting from the initiative – this means that the tenant should be saving money from day one (cost positive).

Once costs have been fully recovered, participating tenants will enjoy 100% of the financial benefits associated with the initiative.

For more information or to discuss eligibility please reach out to climatechange@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Lighting Upgrades

In addition to the ESD Policy, which ensures all new or replacement light fittings are energy efficient LED technology where fit for purpose products exist. The Shire has managed several standalone lighting upgrade projects. These result in significant building and infrastructure decarbonisation as well as savings to rate payers.

Highlights:

Stage 1 Streetlight Upgrade Project: Minor Roads
This project saw the upgrade of over 10,000 mercury vapour streetlights to energy efficient LED equivalents on the municipal road network, reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by over 3,000 tonnes and reducing annual operating costs by over $1 million.

Stage 2 Streetlight Upgrade Project: Major Roads
Currently in design stage, this project would see the upgrade of over 4,000 streetlights on major municipal roads and is estimated to result in up to 22,000-26,000t avoided CO2-e over project lifetime, representing one of the most significant pathways to reducing The Shire’s carbon footprint. Delivery is expected to commence in 2023.

Bulk LED Lighting Upgrade Project: Shire Buildings
Completed in 2021, this project saw the upgrade of 1,821 fittings at 102 sites including halls, community centres, amenity blocks, and public lighting areas. This resulted in 280t of avoided CO2 e per annum.

Buildings Contract LED Upgrade Program

Due to conclude this year, this program has seen the replacement of approximately 3,000 fittings with LED equivalents at 11 major Shire buildings.

Shire Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure

The Shire continues to expand its electric vehicle charging network in order to support our commitment to transition to a zero-emissions fleet by 2030. Currently 12 electric vehicle charging stations service the Shire’s existing EV fleet at five sites, consisting of a combination of 7kW and 22kW AC chargers.

In addition, the Shire is working with private industry and government bodies to identify opportunities to promote uptake of zero-emission vehicles in the community. This includes input into the South East Councils Climate Alliance (SECCA) Electric Vehicle Charging Roadmap, and facilitation of public fast-charging infrastructure such as the recently installed 50kW DC chargers at Sorrento.

Find out more.

Energy Savvy Trials

The shire continues to explore new ways to achieve decarbonisation of our buildings and infrastructure. Our Heat Pump Hot Water System and Electrification Trials are two initiatives designed to improve understanding of emission reduction and cost saving opportunities.

Electrification Trial

By replacing legacy gas assets at Shire buildings with electric alternatives we are able to facilitate the use of renewable energy, doing away with the harmful emissions associated with gas use and the costs associated with gas supply. This trial will serve to inform Council of the costs and mechanisms required to transition to all-electric supplies across Shire assets.

To date the trial has seen the abolishment of gas supplies at seven sites, facilitated by replacement of space heaters, hot water systems and ovens and cooktops.

Heat Pump Hot Water System Trial

Hot water systems are considered the largest single source of emissions produced by the average Australian home. This trial will serve to inform Council of the costs, benefits, risks and opportunities involved with replacing electric storage hot water heaters with energy efficient heat pump equivalents.

Indicative results show energy savings to be around 300%, which when paired with available government rebates makes this an attractive pathway for cost-effective emission reductions and cost savings.

SunSpot Solar Mapping Tool

The Shire’s new partnership with not-for-profit Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI) means Peninsula residents and businesses can gain access to SunSPOT – a free and secure online tool designed to help you understand the solar potential of your home or building.

Find out more.

Environmentally Sustainable Design

The Shire’s ESD Policy for Council Buildings and Civil works outlines the objectives and requirements for all Council projects, including new, refurbishment and renewal buildings, roads and open spaces. To find out more about the current implementation of this Policy.

Find out more.