Tuesday, 26 March 2024
    25
    Feb

    $12 million for fire-hit towns

    Billionaire software developer and philanthropist Mike Cannon-Brookes has set aside $12 million to install as many as 100 stand-alone solar and battery units in 100 days to provide off-grid power to hard-hit bushfire communities, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

    The Resilient Energy Collective – established only three weeks ago in the family office of Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes – has already installed two units near Cobargo in southern NSW and one at Goongerah in Victoria’s East Gippsland.

    The systems will range from supplying 8 kilowatt-hours to as many as 400 kW-hours per day, and allow homes, businesses and some infrastructure to operate around the clock.

    The unit at Peak Alone near Cobargo was operational in less than 48 hours. It powers a police radio tower and a separate one used by the Rural Fire Service, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Eurobodalla Shire radio.

    The systems combine rapid roll-out solar technology developed by an Australian firm 5B, with Tesla batteries. “Everyone’s been highly cooperative in terms of rates,” Mr Cannon-Brookes said.

    “I would love it if we can get 100 units up in 100 days,” he said. “It’s a matter of finding the sites and getting people engaged. We’ve proven we can do it now.”

    The aim is to replace the use of diesel generators, installed after the massive bushfires destroyed power lines and other equipment. One RFS unit had to deploy one of its four fire trucks just to refuel the previous generator on a daily basis.

    Costs of electricity will fall by between 20 and 50 per cent, Mr Cannon-Brookes said, adding the units should be able to operate for 20 years.

    FULL STORY

    Atlassian’s Cannon-Brookes tips in $12 million to power fire-hit towns (Sydney Morning Herald)

    PHOTO

    Billionaire software developer and philanthropist Mike Cannon-Brookes.CREDIT:RENEE NOWYTARGER