Narara Ecovillage (NEV) is located on Research Road, Narara NSW, formerly the site of the Gosford Horticultural Institute. Construction of the stage 1 infrastructure, comprising roads, water and sewer facilities, and underground high voltage electrical grid connection plus low voltage power reticulation was completed in 2017.
NEV plans to become self-sufficient in energy and water, using its 45 ML dam and photovoltaic solar (PV). The ultimate development will comprise up to 150 dwellings plus commercial, agricultural and administrative/office buildings. It is expected to take at least five years to install all the necessary infrastructure. The final system will incorporate 1,052 kW of solar PV generation, 825 kWh of batteries.
The first stage will comprise of 43 detached dwellings and 17 cluster houses will deliver 526 kW of solar PV generation, 460 kWh of batteries, smart solutions for system control, power quality control, energy flow and grid interaction. The infrastructure for stage 1 has been designed to incorporate flexibility for future stages and technology change.
Power Self Sufficiency
NEV Power will establish an energy network which is capable of providing 100% renewable energy to meet the needs of residents and the village itself. A key element has been developing building guidelines that mandate ensure that every private residence generates sufficient renewable energy to meet their own energy needs.
In addition in Stage 1 the village will invest in a centralised PV array of 166 kWp which provides power for the village and as backup to individual residents. A 460 kWh battery system and the smartgrid controls will enable NEV Power to manage energy production and consumption loads across the day. This will minimise any need to draw power from the Ausgrid network.
NEV Power has a high voltage connection to the Ausgrid network supplied by ERM. This enables NEV Power to meet customer needs as our embedded network expands during Stage 1 construction and until the battery system is installed. We are also able to export surplus power generated from our existing PV arrays.