Exploring How to Get More Solar & Batteries at Apartment Buildings Using Artificial Intelligence

A $830,000 grant is funding an AI system to boost solar adoption in Sydney apartments.

Researchers from UNSW Canberra, alongside private firms and government support, are testing an AI-powered modular power portal system to improve energy management in apartment buildings. This initiative addresses structural barriers to distributed energy resources in multiunit dwellings.

The system forecasts energy generation and demand, coordinates distributed energy resources, and balances electricity flows in real time. Backed by the Australian Department of Education’s TRaCE program, the pilot targets the 2.5 million apartment dwellers nationwide, of whom only 3.5% in New South Wales currently have rooftop solar access. Improved energy flow could lower operating costs by as much as 30%. Associate Professor Huadong Mo emphasizes that enabling apartment residents to participate in distributed energy resources is crucial for Australia’s clean energy transition.

While specific timelines remain undisclosed, the pilot’s focus lies in creating a shared network to overcome rooftop space and regulatory limitations.

Although Montana’s housing patterns differ, this approach might resonate where multiunit dwellings face similar solar adoption challenges. The potential for AI-enabled energy coordination could interest local policymakers and property managers aiming to reduce costs and expand clean energy access in clustered living environments.

Exploring How to Get More Solar & Batteries at Apartment Buildings
By Zachary Shahan, CleanTechnica