Last month, Flow Power together with Renewable Newstead had the pleasure of announcing our partnership and the commencement of our Newstead Energy Project.
With construction beginning in October 2022, the Newstead Energy Project will consist of a 3MW solar farm and a 5MWh battery energy storage system, which will feature a unique and Victorian-first Direct Current (DC) coupled system designed and constructed by Flow Power.
The day that was
The Newstead Energy Project event commenced with a smoking ceremony held by representatives of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land on which the renewable project is being built.
It provided guests the opportunity to acknowledge, learn and show respect to the local Traditional Owners, and the continuing connection of Australia’s First Nations peoples to Country.
Flow Power has a Cultural Heritage Management Plan to ensure care of Country during construction and operation of the energy project is carried out to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
DJAARA have recently launched their Renewable Energy Strategy to heal People, heal Country and heal climate. Learn more here.
Creating the renewable energy future, together
Flow Power Chief Executive Officer, Matthew van der Linden shared with guests Flow Power’s mission of transitioning the energy market to net zero through investing in and building renewable projects such as the Newstead Energy Project.
Matthew explained that the Newstead Energy Project’s battery system is essential to the next phase of transitioning the market, providing additional benefits to the community by feeding energy into the grid at times of low sunshine and outside daylight hours.
The Newstead Energy Project will be delivered in full (financed, developed, built, and connected) by Flow Power, who will then own and operate the farm and retail the electricity it generates.
Also announced to an excited audience, was how the project will power Flow Power’s entry into the residential market. Soon residents in the Newstead area will be able to access a unique energy contract linking them to their local project through cutting edge technology.
Renewable Newstead Convenor Geoff Park, a key person in driving the project since the beginning, shared with guests some of the organisations early milestones and their primary considerations during the initial stages of the project.
“The Renewable Newstead long-held dream is getting closer. The first idea for a local energy project in Newstead emerged in 2009. Local volunteers have helped bring this to fruition, and we’ve had a big hand with the help of a $1.1M grant from the Victorian Government in 2018. Now we’re pleased to see Flow Power take on the project to bring our dream to life – locally generated clean energy and a retail offer for our residents to champion renewable energy.”
Renewable Newstead Convenor, Geoff Park
Victorian Energy Minister Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP whose support has been paramount in turning Renewable Newstead’s ambitious vision into reality, also spoke at the event.
She describes community projects as microcosms of the challenges in the renewable energy revolution right across the globe and in Victoria. She states that some people choose to embrace it, while others choose to deny it however, she firmly believes that isn’t the case for the Newstead community.
A unique, generator-linked residential offer – backed by energy tech
A key element making Flow Power’s exciting new offer unique is smart energy monitoring device kWatch Mini. Through this wireless device, customers can access their live energy data and have the ability to make informed, price efficient adjustments to their usage.
“You will be able to see in real time what’s actually going on and that’s a hugely important part of this next transition, and that is getting the consumers to engage.”
Flow Power Chief Executive Officer, Matthew van der Linden
Flow Power’s powerful new partnership
Both Lily and Geoff commented on Flow Power’s contribution in bringing the project to life.
“These things never get very far without strong partnership to share the vision, the ambition and the work that needs to be brought together.”
Victorian Energy Minister Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP
“The relationship we’ve developed with Flow Power is one of great respect and trust, and every interaction we’ve had has been exceedingly positive and seeking to understand where each other’s coming from. It’s a foundation for a great partnership.”
Renewable Newstead Convenor, Geoff Park
For more information about the partnership between Flow Power and community energy group, Renewable Newstead, read our Media Release here.
Bringing the community together
The Newstead Community Energy Project will be a formative demonstration of community level, dispatchable renewable energy projects developed in collaboration between government, industry and local community.
The unique community energy project will be brought to life by the collaborative efforts of our teams, with the purpose of empowering the Newstead community with locally produced clean energy, employment opportunities and energy education.
“Those effects of the local community taking those steps is a huge part of the whole transition that needs to happen. That’s what makes this project unique. You’ve got the community investing in a project, signing up to it, and doing the right thing in how they use their power.”
“It’s enormously exciting and the fruition of what Flow Power’s been working towards for many years – to be able to bring the community together and now bring residential into the next phase.”
Flow Power Chief Executive Officer, Matthew van der Linden
The day concluded with afternoon tea hosted by Renewable Newstead at the Newstead Community centre where excitement about the project’s commencement continued to be shared.
Flow Power would like to thank all who attended the Newstead Energy Project announcement event. The successful commencement of the project marks an incredible milestone and continued handwork of many.
To stay up to date with the Newstead Energy Project’s latest updates, you can view the project page here.
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