North Metropolitan TAFE (NM TAFE) is partnering with Horizon Power to train workers in the operation and maintenance of Standalone Power Systems (SPS) as part of the State Government's drive toward a clean energy future. Horizon Power has donated a 3kW SPS unit – one of many they are installing across WA – to the East Perth TAFE campus.
The partnership will allow workers to be trained on SPS infrastructure, equipping them with necessary skills and knowledge to install and maintain the systems in their regions.
Horizon Power pioneered standalone power solutions in WA, mainly for farmers, in response to the impacts of the 2015 Esperance bushfires. SPS units typically comprise of solar panels and battery storage with back-up diesel generation, delivering safer, greener, and more reliable power to customers.
The SPS unit contains four solar panels, each outputting 370W at peak, and three lithium-ion batteries, each with a nominal storage capacity of 2.84KWh.
The donation complements the State Government's $25 million investment in modern equipment for WA TAFE colleges, as part of a four-year program to upgrade TAFE equipment.
Horizon Power and NM TAFE have a Memorandum of Understanding covering the development of operations and maintenance training packages for a variety of new technologies including SPS units, hydrogen, community battery storage and Battery Energy Storage Systems.