Australian energy trading technology company Powerledger has a project in collaboration with OP Properties that has been recognised as an example of the use of the Bioregional International One Planet Living framework.
Montreal Commons is a 39-apartment building in Fremantle, Western Australia, and will be one of the first ever carbon-neutral (in operation) apartment buildings in Australia.
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“OP Properties and Powerledger have worked together to create a model that makes residents better off over a long period of time from investing in renewables from the outset.
Almost 80 per cent of people would adopt peer-to-peer energy trading as long as they are better off financially. A 50 per cent reduction in strata fees on an ongoing basis is a significant saving and will be a big motivating factor for potential buyers,” Powerledger co-founder and chair Dr Jemma Green said.
The project will use 75kW solar rooftop PVs with residents within Montreal Commons able to sell any excess solar electricity they generate back to an existing 670kWh onsite battery using Powerledger’s energy trading platform.
“This not only incentivises households in the take up of renewable energy but creates an environment where they become “prosumers”—both consumers and producers of clean electricity,” Dr Green said.
Montreal Commons will produce about 240 tonnes less of carbon emissions per year compared to a typical apartment building. This is the equivalent to taking 50 cars off the road per annum.
Powered only by sustainable energy, the five-storey building, designed by Hillam Architects, will consist of 39 apartments, a basement carpark, public gardens, rooftop terrace, play space and ground-floor café.
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As one of the first carbon-neutral certified apartments for its operations in Australia, it demonstrates that the vision for a decarbonised built environment is both affordable, achievable and commercial.
The acknowledgement builds on Powerledger’s credentials as a champion for change, having also recently been awarded Global Champion at the World Summit Awards (WSA) for its work in promoting distributed energy in Uttar Pradesh, India.
