University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Rural laboratories and experiment at the fringes: case study of a smart grid on Bruny Island, Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 12:59 authored by Heather LovellHeather Lovell, Veryan HannVeryan Hann, Phillipa WatsonPhillipa Watson
This paper examines the possibilities for significant energy innovation in rural locations in developed countries. It thereby questions the dominant framing of energy experiments and ‘living labs’ as urban. We discuss findings from empirical research with a rural community on Bruny Island, Australia, where a 3-year research project (2016–19) – CONSORT – funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is underway with approximately 35 householders trialing a new residential battery storage and photovoltaic energy system. Bruny Island has a problem of peak demand for electricity during tourist periods, and a back-up diesel generator is currently used to supply electricity during peaks. An alternative solution is being trialled through CONSORT: household-level battery storage, which can be drawn upon by the utility to supply the grid as required. In this paper we explore two energy geography issues: first, how global and national energy challenges are manifesting on Bruny Island through the CONSORT project, and, second, the ways in which the particular sociotechnical context of Bruny Island has influenced the CONSORT project, creating tensions as well as opening up opportunities for energy innovation.

Funding

Australian Renewable Energy Agency

Reposit Power Pty Ltd

Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd

University of Sydney

History

Publication title

Energy Research & Social Science

Volume

36

Pagination

146-155

ISSN

2214-6296

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Place of publication

Netherlands

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 Elsevier Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Smart grids

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC