Redflow works with Redback technology to bring smarter solar to Australia

AUSTRALIA, Tuesday 21^st June, 2016: After extensive testing, battery company Redflow Limited, and energy storage management provider Redback Technologies have announced the compatibility of their technologies to bring a new, efficient energy solution to Australian homes.

Redflow’s new ZCell home battery, launched in March, is a 10 kilowatt hour (kWh) flow battery and can ‘timeshift’ solar power from day to night, store off-peak power for peak demand periods and support off-grid systems. Redflow and Redback have been able to fully integrate the ZCell battery with Redback’s Smart Hybrid Solar Inverter System, which manages energy supplies from the grid, PV solar panels and a battery. ZCell, together with the Redback inverter, will enable household and commercial users to achieve greater savings by self-consuming more of their on-site generated power.

The retail price for installed energy systems is set by each retail system integrator. Redflow’s previously provided estimated pricing for such systems remains consistent with the Redback inverter.

Australia is transitioning to lower emission energy systems, with one in five homes around the country equipped with solar. Due to the popularity of home solar systems over recent years, the government plans to minimise the subsidies to solar bonus schemes, with the NSW scheme ending on 31st December 2016. Feed in tariffs will reduce by 38.8 cents per kWh to 5.2 cents per kWh from 44 cents per kWh, meaning home energy systems will need to be smarter and more productive to ensure peak performance.

Redback’s solution is hosted in Microsoft’s Azure IoT Suite cloud platform, ensuring easy updates and upgrades as their technology develops. It runs on a  cloud-enabled intelligent system for analytics and remote control, which monitors consumption patterns, moving the use of appliances such as pool pumps and hot water into the “solar window” so they can be optimised to maximise self-consumption of rooftop solar.

Both Redflow and Redback are Brisbane-based companies that are using innovative Australian developed technologies to secure this country’s role in the emerging energy storage revolution.

Redflow Executive Chairman Simon Hackett, who was closely involved with the certification process, said the Redback inverter was a smart piece of technology.

“We are very pleased that two Australian leaders in the emerging energy storage sector now have their devices working together. For customers to enjoy the benefits of Redflow's innovative flow battery technology, it's really important for us to work alongside likeminded businesses such as Redback,” he said.

Redback Technologies Founder and Managing Director Philip Livingston said he looked forward to working with Redflow as the energy storage sector develops.

“Australia is the perfect place from which to build a globally relevant energy storage sector based on local innovation, Redback Technologies is building the infrastructure for the next generation grid and partnering with Redflow provides choice to consumers and solar installers. We are going to put more money into homeowners’ pockets and create cleaner energy for our children’s future,” he said.

Redflow has undertaken extensive testing at its Adelaide-based battery lab to ensure ZCell was able to work quickly and easily with the Redback Smart Hybrid Solar Inverter System. Redflow expects to announce compatible inverters from other companies in coming weeks.   

Redflow has already started installing exemplar ZCell energy storage systems and is currently training installers to enable them to install, maintain and monitor its flow batteries. The company expects customer installations of ZCell to commence in August.

About Redflow

Redflow Limited is an energy storage specialist that has developed the world’s smallest flow batteries. Redflow’s unique flow batteries are designed for stationary energy storage applications ranging from its ZCell home solution to its ZBM batteries for commercial, telecommunications and grid-scale deployment. Redflow is a publicly-listed company (ASX: RFX) that operates R&D facilities in Australia, as well as offices in the US and Europe. Produced in North America by Flex, one of the world’s largest supply chain solution companies, Redflow’s high energy density batteries are sold, installed and maintained by a global network of system integrators.

More information can be found at: www.redflow.com

About Redback Technologies

Redback is a technology company focused on the development of advanced, low cost solar solutions for residential and commercial users. Redback's market leading integrated hardware and software technologies capture, store and manage solar energy, providing accelerated return on investment. More information can be found at: http://redbacktech.com/