Potential for off-grid Hunter Valley suburb

Brookfield Energy Australia are examining the potential for the development of an off-grid community in the Hunter Valley, Huntlee.

The community is being developed by LWP Property Group and will house 20,000 new residents over 7,500 homes.

Brookfield are examining alternatives to grid connection, such as renewable energy, battery storage and enabling technologies.

$1.1 million is being invested in the initial study, which will assess the feasibility of achieving a 100% renewable output.

CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Ivor Frischknecht, says the town could accelerate the uptake of renewables in Australia.

"There are a number of regulatory challenges and constraints and technical risks facing microgrids. Brookfield will share key insights about overcoming these barriers with the energy industry," Frischknecht said.

Coal mining and electricity production play a large part in the Hunter Valley economy.

Huntlee will be the Hunter Valley’s first new town in more than 50 years. 

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