Case Study: Gateway Alkimos Beach Shopping Precinct
The Gateway Alkimos Beach Shopping Precinct is an exciting new shopping destination located in the heart of Alkimos. Home to an IGA and a range of specialty stores including a pharmacy, hairdresser, swim school, gymnasium, medical centre, liquor retailer, and various food outlets, the centre will bring a range of much-needed services to the local community.
Infinite Energy is supplying all the electricity requirements for the new Gateway Alkimos Beach Shopping Precinct development, including:
- Multiple Rooftop Commercial Solar PV Systems totalling 200kW
- Electricity supply to the Precinct
- Embedded network and sub-metering of individual stores’ electricity usage
Rooftop Solar PV Systems
Infinite Energy is supplying, installing and maintaining multiple solar systems on the roof of the Gateway development under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
By choosing a PPA, Gateway is not required to provide any upfront capital. Infinite Energy takes on full ownership and maintenance, while Gateway simply purchases the electricity generated by the solar system at a rate that is considerably less than what is offered from the grid.
100% of the solar electricity generated will be consumed on-site. Together, the systems will reduce the Precinct’s demand from the grid by approximately 20%. Combined, Gateway's solar PV systems will reduce the Precinct’s carbon footprint by 253,700kgs annually, the equivalent of planting 11,500 new trees per year.
Total Combined System Size: 200kW
Number of Panels: 612
Expected Annual Production: 321,200kWh
Solar Production Consumed On-Site: 100%
Grid Reduction/Solar Offset: 20%
CO2- e. Abatement Per Year: 254 tonnes
CO2 Equivalent Reduction: 11,500 trees saved per year
Term: 10 years
Grid Supply
As an electricity retailer, Infinite Energy is supplying grid power to the entire Gateway site, through two main Western Power network connection points. Sub-meters for each tenancy will be owned and operated by Infinite Energy.
By aggregating demand for all individual tenancies within the development into one account and incorporating an embedded network, Infinite Energy is able to offer Gateway a cheaper electricity rate than if done individually per tenancy.
Embedded Networks and Metering
In a traditional non-embedded network design, each individual shop of a centre has its own connection point to the Western Power network, and its own electricity retailing account. By aggregating usage of all individual units within the development into one account and incorporating an embedded network, an opportunity exists for the site’s owner to gain access to the wholesale energy market for a bulk electricity purchase.
As a result, a revenue stream is available to the site owner due to the differential between the group energy rate, and the rate charged to individual tenants. This revenue can be used by the owner as they see fit. For example, it could be used to offset levies, further contribute to a sinking fund, or pay for upgrades to increase the attractiveness of the site.
Infinite Energy consulted on the initial embedded network metering design and installation, and will be responsible for commissioning the whole site as it is developed. Infinite Energy will own and maintain the embedded network for the agreed upon term, and provide metering and billing services on Gateway’s behalf.
Electric Vehicle Chargers
With more than half of all current Electric Vehicles being sold in 2015, EVs are quickly expected to take a significant share of the marketplace in Australia. Installing an EV Charger Station at public places like shopping centres can entice more customers to shop at your premises compared to a competitor, and increase linger times by up to 45 minutes.
Infinite Energy is installing 2 x Tesla Chargers, and 2 x Universal Electric Vehicle Chargers at Gateway, with potentially more to be installed in future stages.
As one of Australia’s leading providers of quality solar power systems, battery storage systems, business electricity, and EV Chargers, Infinite Energy is able to provide Gateway with a complete energy solution.
To find out if we could do the same for your business, request a no obligation consult by clicking here.
