Stand-alone Power Systems

Greater reliability for customers

With sections of our regional and rural networks reaching their end of service, a Stand-alone Power System (SAPS) is an innovative and cost-effective alternative to a standard network connection, improving the ongoing reliability, safety and affordability of electricity supply for regional and remote customers. For eligible customers, we will install, maintain and operate this system at no extra cost.

What is a SAPS?

A SAPS is an off-the-grid electricity system that typically includes the construction of a solar array and battery energy storage system with a backup energy generator.

A SAPS provides individual property owners, particularly those at the end of line or in difficult to access terrain, with greater reliability of their energy supply and remove their dependency on the standard network of poles and wires.

How SAPS work:

1. Solar panels generate electricity during the day.
2. Solar energy then powers the customer’s property, with excess energy stored in a battery.
3. The battery provides power at night, when the sun isn’t shining, or to help regulate peak demand.
4. A diesel generator provides backup power for extended periods of low to no solar generation.

How SAPS respond to customer needs

SAPS offer customers the opportunity to directly participate in the renewable energy transition and adopt a technical solution that increases their resilience and gives them greater control over their own energy needs.

Customers in remote and rural locations are disproportionately affected by unplanned power outages. This is driven by a range of factors including extreme weather events and longer, more difficult to maintain infrastructure.

Engagement with regional and remote communities identified a growing exposure to the effects of natural disasters. These communities expressed a clear desire to see their electricity distributor adopt an innovative solution that improves power reliability while maintaining an affordable price.

SAPS selection process

We’re committed to working closely with customers to deliver the best outcomes for their energy needs. When a SAPS is considered more cost-effective than a standard network connection, we will contact the eligible customer in accordance with our SAPS Customer and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy.

A SAPS owned and operated by our network is only available to customers who meet the eligibility criteria, including:

• being currently connected to rural feeder that’s approaching the end of its working life
• the total cost of building or upgrading and maintaining the network connection is greater than the total cost of a SAPS
• agreeing to abolishing their standard network connection and transition to a SAPS
• having suitable land available.