Experience the Intelligent Network in action
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of the Intelligent Network, we recommend a visit to the Intelligent Network Research and Demonstration Centre in Queanbeyan.
A key feature of the Centre is a Smart House that’s connected to the network, bringing the functions of a more intelligent network to life:
- A mock command and control centre.
- In-home displays enabling the house to access a wide range of data about appliance use, and compare its electricity consumption against set targets.
- A demonstration bringing to life future interaction and control of appliances – remotely, over the internet, or by mobile phone.
- An electric powered car parked next to the house, with a battery pack stored in the boot. It can be recharged from a power point, with surplus energy discharged back into the house, or returned to the electricity network.
- Additional battery banks in the garage, which store renewable energy generated by the 5kW solar system on the roof.
- An innovative grid-interactive inverter that allows this energy to be fed back into the grid.
A scaled down version of the Essential Energy network in the Centre’s ‘backyard’ explains many of the smart devices that will be installed on existing electricity infrastructure. These include line fault indicators, reclosers, smart switches that enable electricity to be re-routed in the event of a fault.
This process is dramatically brought to life by a simulated storm, which creates a mock power outage. Visitors see exactly how the Intelligent Network takes corrective action within seconds, monitored by Essential Energy’s Command and Control Centre.
The IN Centre presents a unique opportunity to see Intelligent Network technologies in action, and discover their key role in the transformation of our electricity network.
Queanbeyan Solar Farm
- Located at the entrance to the IN Centre.
- It can produce 50kW of electricity, enough to power the entire Centre on any given day.
- An example of how households can achieve a level of self-sufficiency.
- Demonstrates potential for customers to work with networks to dispatch stored energy, or share it with neighbours.
Smart technology like this will mean a more cost effective, efficient and reliable network for everyone.
Visiting the Intelligent Network Research and Development Centre
We would love to share the Intelligent Network experience with you. To attend a community open day, email
intelligent.network@essentialenergy.com.au, or phone 13 23 91.
Experience the Intelligent Network in action
Our Intelligent Network vision is centred around our customers and improving their lifestyles.
That’s why we’re focused on education and established the Intelligent Network Research and Demonstration Centre (IN Centre) in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, to show, how everyone can benefit from a more intelligent network.
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As part of the intelligent network tour visitors can see the intelligent network respond to a simulated electrical storm which takes down the power supply, and automatically re-routes electricity to restore power instantaneously.
At the IN Centre visitors experience this and other intelligent network technologies in action, and learn how the transformation of the electricity network will achieve a secure and sustainable energy future.
Queanbeyan Solar Farm
At the entrance of the IN Centre is Essential Energy's solar farm.
As part of the IN Centre tour visitors learn why the intelligent network has the potential to underpin a greener economy through its ability to adapt to an increase in renewable generation across the entire network.
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The tour explains how renewables and storage technology will help customers and communities achieve a level of self-sufficiency and in some instances even meet their own electricity supply needs.
The idea of customers working with networks to dispatch stored electricity during times of peak demand to avoid increased investment in generation, and even share electricity by allocating stored electricity to neighbours, friends or family, is also discussed. The result is a more cost effective, efficient and reliable electricity network for everyone.
The solar farm is capable of producing 50 kilowatts of electricity at a time, which is enough to power the entire IN Centre including the adjacent Depot, on any given day.
Visiting the Intelligent Network Research and Demonstration Centre
We’re keen to share the intelligent network experience with you.
Read more