Smart Grid Project – Western Australia

Project Description

Arnowa played a crucial role in establishing an advanced Energy and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) for a rapidly expanding local government area in Perth, Western Australia. This system was designed to monitor and manage the city’s energy, water, gas, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. The project aimed to ensure sustainable resource usage across all city facilities while providing the flexibility to incorporate future smart city applications.

Project Summary

The primary focus of the project was to implement a comprehensive utility management system to track and optimize the city’s electricity, water, gas, and fuel consumption. Arnowa monitored two existing 100 kW solar PV systems and designed three additional solar systems, integrating them into a single platform for real-time data monitoring. The system also included a carbon emissions dashboard, enabling the city to monitor, analyze, and manage its greenhouse gas emissions effectively. The solution provided a scalable framework that could evolve as the city expanded, empowering it to take actionable steps towards greater sustainability and efficiency.

Challenges

The project faced challenges in integrating various data sources, including utility records and internal data, to create a unified monitoring system. It was also necessary to categorize and track the city’s assets for emissions monitoring, which involved gathering historical data on energy, water, gas, and waste. In addition, the design and implementation of solar PV systems required precise assessment to ensure successful integration and performance optimization.

Objective

The objective of the project was to implement an ESMS that could monitor and manage the city’s utility usage, ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability. Arnowa aimed to enhance the city’s ability to track energy consumption, optimize the performance of solar PV systems, and provide a platform for real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making, all while supporting long-term environmental goals.

Solutions

Arnowa implemented a state-of-the-art Energy and Sustainability Management System that provided real-time visibility into energy, water, and emissions data. This included the integration of existing and new solar PV systems into a centralized platform. The ESMS featured advanced analytics powered by artificial intelligence to support predictive maintenance, enabling proactive system management and preventing potential failures. The carbon emissions dashboard allowed the city to track emissions across different scopes, facilitating data-driven strategies for reducing its environmental impact. The system was also designed with scalability in mind, allowing the city to expand the solution in the future as more sites and smart city applications are added.

Results

The implementation of Arnowa’s ESMS transformed the city’s operations by providing enhanced transparency, operational efficiency, and sustainability. The integration of solar PV systems significantly reduced the city’s reliance on fossil fuels and lowered its carbon footprint. With real-time monitoring and advanced analytics, the city was able to better manage its resources and take effective steps towards meeting its climate action goals. The project positioned the city as a leader in smart city development, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Location

• Local government area in Perth, Western Australia, experiencing rapid expansion

Challenge

• Integration of various data sources (utility records and internal data) into a unified monitoring system
• Categorizing and tracking city assets for emissions monitoring
• Designing and implementing solar PV systems to optimize performance and ensure seamless integration

Metering Hardware

• Two existing 100 kW solar PV systems, monitored by Arnowa
• Three additional 100 kW solar PV systems designed and integrated into the Energy and Sustainability Management System (ESMS)
• Centralized platform for real-time monitoring, advanced analytics, and predictive maintenance
• Carbon emissions dashboard to track emissions across different scopes

Results

• Enhanced operational transparency, efficiency, and sustainability
• Significant reductions in reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon footprint
• Real-time monitoring and AI-powered analytics enabled proactive resource management
• Positioned the city as a leader in smart city development and environmental sustainability