Simply Energy selects SwitchDin for its national virtual power plant

SwitchDin’s technology enables Simply Energy’s National VPP to connect via API or Droplet edge connections to a wide range of device brands for energy market and FCAS participation.

Newcastle, AUSTRALIA – 2 December 2021 – SwitchDin, Australia's most comprehensive energy orchestration software company, announced today that it has extended its partnership with Simply Energy, ENGIE’s retail business, to expand its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) beyond South Australia to all states in the National Electricity Market (NEM) where Simply Energy has retail operations, including Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. 

Simply Energy operates one of the largest residential VPPs on the NEM. It deploys a range of distributed energy resources (DER), with flexibility to deliver both energy market and frequency support services.

Simply Energy will use SwitchDin’s cloud orchestration platform, Stormcloud, to coordinate a diverse fleet of solar inverter and battery storage units from AlphaESS, Eguana, SolarEdge, SolaX, sonnen, Tesla, and Varta through a combination of APIs and Droplet edge connections.

Stormcloud enables Simply Energy to deliver energy market trading and provide frequency control ancillary services (FCAS) for devices that are FCAS-capable on their VPP.

Existing and new Simply Energy customers with approved solar and battery storage systems that are connected to the VPP can save more on their electricity bills by receiving credits for selling energy into the NEM during peak demand periods or stabilising the grid during disturbances.

“The flexibility and diversity of the Simply Energy VPP differentiates it from others currently available on the market.”

Ryan Wavish, General Manager of Simply Energy Solutions

“The flexibility and diversity of the Simply Energy VPP differentiates it from others currently available on the market,” said Ryan Wavish, General Manager of Simply Energy Solutions. 

 “We’re delighted to be working with SwitchDin to create a national VPP for our retail customers. Their track record in delivering our VPP capabilities in South Australia has given us the confidence to extend our partnership with SwitchDin to deliver our VPP in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Together, we’re aiming to build one of Australia’s largest mixed asset residential VPPs. This type of innovation will ultimately benefit all of Simply Energy’s retail customers.

“By ensuring that our customers’ assets are able to participate more effectively in more aspects of the energy market, we are working  to offer the most competitive and compelling VPP offer in Australia. We also intend to extend this service to more battery types and more asset classes, including community batteries.”

“We are thrilled to be able to support Simply Energy in realising their ambitions to build a national VPP that can do what a conventional power plant can do - and more,” said Dr Andrew Mears, CEO and founder of SwitchDin.

“The national VPP launch cements SwitchDin’s position as an innovator in the distributed energy resource orchestration space. We have brought together Australia’s market-leading hardware manufacturers and a national electricity retailer that is committed to renewable energy generation to deliver a VPP for the National Electricity Market. This VPP addresses the evolving need for high-value FCAS services, which we deliver with Stormcloud and Droplets.”

“Customer-owned resources like solar, batteries and electric vehicles are fundamentally reshaping how the electricity system operates, but most of these devices were not designed to be the active grid participants that the grid needs them to be. SwitchDin solves this problem.

“VPPs are part of the distributed, decarbonised grid that SwitchDin is enabling for clients to help solve problems and improve efficiency as Australia forges ahead on our path to 100 percent renewable energy,” said Dr Mears.

For further information on Simply Energy’s VPP, visit https://www.simplyenergy.com.au/residential/energy-efficiency/simply-vpp 

Simply Energy’s original SA VPP project received support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA's Advancing Renewables Program.

About SwitchDin:

SwitchDin is an energy orchestration software company that delivers clean, distributed energy to the grid. We make distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar PV, battery storage and electric vehicles smart, visible and controllable. Our customers include energy utilities, equipment manufacturers, technology providers and facility managers, who rely on SwitchDin’s Stormcloud platform and Droplet suite to deliver new partnerships that unlock value for everyone that is connected to the grid.

About Simply Energy:

Since 2005, Simply Energy has focussed on simplicity, innovation and sustainability to provide our customers with affordable and reliable energy. We serve electricity and gas consumers across Australia and are also developing Virtual Power Plant and home battery programs that help customers conserve or earn from the power they generate through solar. With more than 750,000 electricity and gas customer accounts, Simply Energy services Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia, providing great value energy deals for consumers and businesses.

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