Stand-alone power trialled in regional WA

Stand-alone power systems are being trialled at rural properties on the edge of Western Australia's electricity grid as utilities explore alternatives to poles and wires.

Six of the systems, comprising solar panels, battery storage, an inverter and a backup diesel generator, have been installed at households around Ravensthorpe, Lake King and Ongerup.

The $4 million Western Power-led trial is the second of its type in WA after Horizon Power installed five stand-alone systems in Esperance following deadly summer bushfires, which destroyed more than 320 poles and hundreds of kilometres of lines.

Energy Minister Mike Nahan said stand-alone systems could become an option to maintaining or replacing ageing power poles and lines in rural and remote areas, potentially reducing bushfire risk.

Dr Nahan said the households would document their experiences during the 12-month experiment.

If the trial is successful, Western Power will investigate the future use of the systems as part of a solution for other edge-of-grid customers," he said.

Energy Made Clean, which constructed the systems and will maintain them, has also developed an app that will allow customers to view their power consumption and system performance in real time.