A local Logan business is working with the state government to help Queenslanders escape rising electricity costs, all while keeping energy renewable.
EcoJoule is a Loganholme-based company specialising in the design and manufacturing of electrical grid technology, and as part of the state government’s energy and jobs plan, they are supplying batteries to communities to store solar power.
Communities with batteries will be able to store their excess solar electricity generated in the day to use at night, reducing current dependence on the grid.
So far, the batteries are only in Ipswich, however, EcoJoule CEO Dr Mike Wishart said he predicted exponential growth due to increased demand.
“We have orders for around 80 units between New South Wales and Queensland,” he said.
Dr Wishart commended the government’s environmental sustainability efforts.
He said the government’s approach to clean energy wasn’t always as strong and he felt as if EcoJoule was fighting an uphill battle, but he said the government had now “turned a corner.”
“We feel like [EcoJoule is] swimming with the tide now.”
“The [government’s] vision is there. Now the challenge is to execute their ambitions,” he said.
Dr Wishart is an experienced electrical engineer and, almost a decade ago, he noted a trend in the renewable energy industry.
“I saw an uptake of rooftop solar… so I started my own company eight years ago.”
He said the government’s new approach has changed the game for businesses like his.
“It’s really taking off.”
Parts of the batteries not developed by EcoJule are still manufactured in Logan, including the circuit boards made in Underwood and metal cabinatery made in Meadowbrook.
Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon said the batteries are an effective way of privatising electricity.
“Not only will these neighbourhood batteries help locals keep their power bills down but they are owned by them,” she said.
