Government funds Western Power to upskill on stand-alone systems

MPS
Eight stand-alone power systems have now been installed in Esperance and Exmouth, Western Australia. In remote areas, the advanced MPS is a viable alternative to maintaining or replacing the overhead network

The Western Australian Government has launched a new training program to upskill Western Power workers on stand-alone power systems (SPS).

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery and Energy Minister Bill Johnston today launched the program to be conducted at North Metropolitan TAFE’s (NMT) East Perth campus. The course is designed to be taught in a hands-on, practical setting.

SPS units combine solar and battery technology with a backup generator, which provides enough storage to provide two days’ supply of electricity.

The training at NMT will be integral to support the State Government’s rollout of SPS units across the South West Interconnected Network.

Related article: Esperance farmers get micro power systems

In February, Mr Johnston announced Australia’s largest rollout of units with 57 units to be installed across the South West Interconnected Network in regional areas including Tambellup, Mullewa, Newdegate and Bonnie Rock.

The government says the partnership with NMT will play an essential part in Western Power’s commitment to meet the growing opportunity to supply greener non-traditional network solutions such as stand-alone power systems.

An initial cohort of 15 participants is currently undergoing training, with the ability to train more in the future.

Two courses will be available including SPS Familiarisation and Repair and Maintain SPS to support the installation, maintenance and fault response for SPS.

WA Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery says, “The WA workforce is adapting to technological change in industry, and this first training group shows that by increasing their skills and knowledge they can deliver contemporary solutions to the energy sector”.

Related article: The growing potential of stand-alone power systems

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