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Ladd Partners and Cloudteam Company Join Forces as Gold Sponsor at the Rooted-In Manufacturing Conference

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In a significant move that underscores their commitment to innovation and collaboration within the manufacturing sector, Ladd Partners (a consulting services firm for inventory management on Salesforce) and Cloudteam Company (a leading provider of Cloud CRM and ERP solutions across EMEA) will announce their joint Gold Sponsorship at the upcoming Rooted-In Manufacturing Conference, taking place in New Orleans from March 25-27. This strategic partnership highlights their shared vision for delivering technology solutions to help customers drive manufacturing excellence and efficiency using Rootstock and the Salesforce Platform.

“The joint Gold Sponsorship with Ladd Partners and Cloudteam will be a notable highlight at our Rooted-In Manufacturing Conference,” said Matt Wolf, SVP of Global Alliances at Rootstock Software. “Ladd Partners’ unparalleled expertise in inventory management on the Salesforce Platform combined with Cloudteam’s innovative approach to leveraging Rootstock ERP to overcome steel fabrication challenges represent a cutting-edge combination. In addition, with Ladd Partners responding to customer needs in North America and Cloudteam in EMEA, it’s the type of global synergy we strive for in our partner ecosystem.” “Partnering with Cloudteam at the Rooted-In Manufacturing Conference is our first step in enabling our ability to deliver inventory management solutions globally,” said Krista Ladd, Co-founder, and Managing Partner of Ladd Partners. “We take great pride in our ability to effectively deliver salesforce solutions that truly transform our customers’ operations. This partnership allows us to showcase those strengths, and when combined with Cloudteam, we help manufacturers leverage the tools and strategies they need to drive quality management and to achieve new levels of efficiency and growth across both United States and EMEA.”

“Our alliance with Ladd Partners embodies our shared commitment to innovation,” said Gert-Jan Ter Weeme, CEO of Cloudteam Company. “Today, the manufacturing industry faces complex challenges, particularly in demand, supply, and order fulfilment. At Cloudteam, we take our manufacturing clients on a digital transformation journey, helping them to leverage a holistic CRM and ERP solution on the Salesforce Platform. Our Rooted-In sponsorship is a significant step forward in our mission to deliver Salesforce solutions to customers globally, expanding our reach and enhancing our service offerings to meet the dynamic needs of the manufacturing sector.”

The 2024 Rooted-In Manufacturing Conference will include:

  • Ladd Partners and Cloudteam Company customer success stories that demonstrate how manufacturers have benefited from the combined power of their technological expertise.
  • An exhibit area where attendees can meet the companies to better understand their consulting services.
  • Keynote presentations on Manufacturing Mega Trends, Signal Chain Vision, and Accelerating Value with the Power of Salesforce.
  • A Business Track featuring manufacturing leaders driving success in various areas, such as financial management, team empowerment, and reimagined business processes.

A Technology Track to discuss top manufacturing technology trends such as AI, enabling data-driven decisions, integration, and managing data governance.

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Why Decentralised Automation?

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What does the skipper do on a racing yacht? The traditional view of a seafaring captain or skipper is that of one person who makes every tactical and operational decision and who then issues commands to the crew to make it happen. On a racing yacht there simply is not time for all that rigmarole. Each member of the crew has specific functions they perform, and they have trained as a group to work in precise harmony to achieve their common goal using their individual areas of expertise. In these terms, traditional centralised automation is the skipper standing on the quarterdeck (control room) while decentralised automation is the racing yacht where all the crew members (machine modules) perform their functions quickly and efficiently in perfect synchronisation. So, how does decentralised automation work in heavy steel fabrication companies? Let us find out further in this blog.

Rationale for Decentralised Automation

Traditionally, automation systems had rigid hierarchies that were based around centralised control, as per the well-known automation pyramid diagram. The sensors and actuators were always connected to the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The PLC was always connected to some other system and so it went. Unfortunately, this well entrenched automation model can be limiting. It requires lengthy decision-making paths, and it also ties all the automation together to a single, central point. This means that a single fault or maintenance activity can bring an entire plant to a halt. As technology has advanced, the previously rigid levels have had to become more flexible. We now have sensors that detect machine wear, RFID (radio frequency identification) tags that tell the machine it is correctly configured for heat induction bending services and what it must do, and I/O modules that can decide independently to operate an actuator. It is no longer possible to place the present and future of automation within the constraints of a traditional automation system because it is simply not able to deal efficiently with all the extra capabilities that are now achievable.

Benefits of Decentralised Automation

Decentralised automation lays the foundation for a new era of automation. It enables maximum flexibility, and it creates numerous benefits such as:

Fast and easy commissioning – Each different machine, or each individual module is capable of fully independent operation.  They can be pretested before installation and issues with one section will not delay the progress of other sections. Wiring is easy thanks to IP67 components and standard industrial quick connectors. Control cabinets can be scaled down or eliminated altogether so that significantly less wiring is required.

Lower machine costs – There is a significant reduction in the necessary central control capacities. By reusing existing modules design costs are also reduced and the reduced wiring and mechanical requirements mean lower personnel costs (such as automation of tube bending).

Higher machine availability – There is a significant reduction in the risk of failure because decentralised automation has a much lower dependency on a central control system. A good example of this is factory automation driven by electromechanical cylinders. On-site machine condition monitoring allows early intervention when issues are detected before failure occurs. Module replacements in the event of a failure are fast, simple and require minimal configuration.

Short time-to-market – Decentralised automation allows users to respond dynamically to changing requirements. They can fine tune their equipment and process, even during production. Decentralised logic enables the testing of machinery and machine modules offline before delivery.  By reusing existing modules, the design phase is shortened.

Closing Thoughts

Decentralisation may not be perfect for every situation, but in most cases, it reduces wiring and hardware and cuts design time. It also reduces manufacturing and installation time, improves efficiency, and minimises downtime. As demonstrated with the racing yacht, having a single central control is often less efficient than having a well-trained and coordinated team of experts on the job. Centralised automation? It looks a lot like that outdated ship has sailed!

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Open IIoT Demo at APPEX 2024

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Open IIoT will be unveiling four new demo units at APPEX 2024, marking an exciting departure for the group, which had previously combined all of the member companies’ technologies into one single automated system. The event marks the first time the group, originally founded in 2018 and consisting of member companies SMC Australia and New Zealand, Beckhoff Automation, ARGUS, Balluff Australia and Nord Drivesystems, will showcase their cutting-edge new demo units to the general public. While the previous demo unit was able to demonstrate the seamless integration and interoperability of revolutionary IIoT concepts in one physical system, their decision to showcase the power of automation through various Industry 4.0 applications opens up the group to a number of new possibilities.

“We have taken a more decentralised approach this time round”, said Jozef Ceh, SMC’s group manager ANZ for Integrated Solutions and Open IIoT member. “Fast broadband internet connections and sophisticated network protocols will enable all our demo units to operate both independently and in unison. With the new approach, we have combined the power of today’s network infrastructure and cloud connectivity to operate individual processes in remote locations.” Ceh added, “This gives users and visitors to Open IIoT’s APPEX Stand #D040 enhanced access to our demo units, right down to the sensor level.”

SMC’s new EXW1 compact wireless system coincided perfectly with this build. It features EtherCAT and IO-Link Master connections and is the ideal way to highlight SMC’s pipe fabrication architecture in a live application. “It underpins the power of networking when it comes to remote control and data accessibility.” The unit also makes use of an EXW1 IO-Link master wireless remote unit – a product Ceh believes is a gamechanger. “It integrates all the standard features and benefits of IO-Link into a wireless network while offering both Class A and Class B port specification — making this product a logical choice.” The JXC servo motor controller with IO-Link network interface and safe torque-off feature is integrated in this unit. “The direct-input step motor controller is designed for general machine builders who rely on accurate speed, position or force but at the same time look for improved flexibility and stronger security.”

As to the motivation behind Open IIoT’s new exhibition direction, Ceh explains that the separate demo units demonstrate a more decentralised approach to automation in metal fabrication through the utilisation of high-speed broadband connections and sophisticated network protocols. “These create connectivity between individual processes that, while operating individually in separate physical locations, are accessible and controlled through a central user interface and deployed via the cloud,” he continued. All four Open IIoT’s new demo units are connected by member company ARGUS’ advanced SYMBIONT Cloud Deployment Software, an industrial automation and data management platform tailored for medium to large-scale enterprises in the manufacturing industry and other related sectors invested in digital transformation. With its intuitive design that offers a low barrier to entry and straightforward interfaces, Symbiont places advanced system configuration and data contextualization directly into the hands of end-users, thus optimizing performance with asset resilience. This approach is transformative, reducing implementation costs and enhancing flexibility, making it a powerful ally in the digital transformation journey.

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Rio, BHP Join Forces with BlueScope for Green Steel

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Australia’s biggest steelmaker and the nation’s largest iron ore producers have announced a new collaboration aimed to create a pathway to decarbonise steel production. Miners Rio Tinto and BHP sent teams from their Pilbara operations to join BlueScope at its Port Kembla terminal on Friday to make the announcement. Faced with the risk of falling behind the global effort to decarbonise, the iron ore competitors and the steelmaker have been exploring the development of an electric smelting furnace for iron-making. BlueScope chief executive Australia Tania Archibald said it was necessary to establish a commercially viable alternative to blast furnace steelmaking. “This is a major opportunity for Australia on a global scale as the broader heavy steel fabrication industry seek to decarbonise,” Ms. Archibald said. The project faces many challenges aside from the technology development; it will also be dependent on securing a substantial gas supply and, ultimately, green hydrogen.

More than 70% of global steel is produced using blast furnaces, around 20 per cent through electric arc furnaces and around five per cent as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI). DRI is seen as the most promising pathway to decarbonise iron and steelmaking. In the DRI process, gas and ultimately green hydrogen replace coal. BlueScope believed natural gas-based DRI could reduce steelmaking emissions by around 60 per cent, while green hydrogen-based DRI would take the process towards zero. DRI technology is also dependent on high-grade ores for steel fabrication in mining and Australia’s ore supply in the Pilbara is disadvantaged by high levels of impurities. Ms Archibald said the three companies would work together in attempt to find a way to process the low and medium-grade ores. “The challenge is to evolve the technology to unlock the ability to consume Australia’s abundant Pilbara ores in the DRI process,” she said. “This is really about how we crack the code with using the Pilbara ores in a DRI process.” She said the collaboration was critically important for BlueScope’s net zero 2050 goal.

Iron ore is Australia’s biggest export, and Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said the announcement was key to securing the industries into the long term. “With Central Queensland developing as Australia’s new green energy capital, we need to ensure that iron ore from Australia is well positioned for a green steel future,” Mr. Trott said. “Today is about making sure that that continues in the decades to come.” Incoming BHP Western Australia iron ore asset president Tim Day said the project was critical for Australia. “If we can crack it, it is actually going to be a significant uptick for mining plant and equipment , the Pilbara, Western Australia and Australia in general and the globe,” Mr. Day said. The steelmaker said a key advantage for the project would be adapting technology from its electric smelting furnace processing DRI in New Zealand. Locations around the country will be considered, including BlueScope’s Port Kembla steel mill. The companies said the cost was not resolved and would be shared equally amongst the partners, with the project also designed to allow additional partners including the federal government. The companies believed the pilot facility could be commissioned by 2027.

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Fire Safety for Manufacturing Plants

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Any workplace must take special care when it comes to fire safety, since fire is one of the major safety hazards in metal fabrication and can be especially devastating. While accidents involving fire have occurred in utility, defence, agriculture, and mining environments, the most damaging fires have tended to take place in structures, and most of those structure fires occurred specifically in manufacturing properties. However, through the proper use of the right tools, technology, and training, manufacturing and industrial fires can be prevented. This blog will look to delve into fire prevention techniques in greater detail.

Industrial Fire Protection System

Industrial Fire Protection System

A manufacturing facility’s first defence against any fire is its fire protection system. From fire detection to suppression, a building has an entire system that is designed to protect the facility from fire. While it is always important to prevent fires in manufacturing facilities first, it is also essential that in the event of a fire, plant employees know how to respond safely. Every manufacturing and industrial facility should create a comprehensive fire evacuation plan. This plan should clearly detail how to leave the building safely in a fire. Once complete, the evacuation plan should be clearly communicated to all employees. The evacuation plan maps should be displayed on walls throughout the facility, so that employees always know how to exit safely in the event of a fire.

Special Hazard Fire Systems

Special Hazard Fire Systems

Large vehicles and heavy machinery are one of the top causes of manufacturing and industrial fires in the US. Many of these fires can be prevented with the implementation of special hazard fire protection systems. These fire systems are uniquely designed to protect high-value and high-risk equipment which use sheet metal fabrication techniques and include large agricultural vehicles, CNC machines, cutters, grinders, lathes etc. Because these machines often work in or create high-temperature environments, and because they make use of highly flammable oil-based lubricants and coolants, fires can start easily and quickly expand throughout the facility. For this reason, should manufacturing and industrial companies implement special hazard fire detection and suppression systems that can help minimize fire-related damage related to heat induction bending services. Capable of detecting and stopping a machine fire in seconds, these special hazard solutions can help protect expensive machinery, while also preventing fires from spreading throughout the plant.

Fire Prevention Training

Fire Prevention Training

Fire safety training works to educate manufacturing facility employees of the fire hazards present in the workplace, and how best to avoid them. From hot work training to lockout tagout, there are several fire safety training courses that can help give plant employees the tools they need to stay safe at work and prevent fires. When it comes to fire response training, employees should understand the details of the evacuation plan, however they should also have hands-on fire extinguisher training. Many heavy steel fabrication companies are required to provide hands-on fire extinguisher training at least annually. That is because trained fire extinguisher operators are shown to use a fire extinguisher with four times more accuracy and capacity than a novice operator.

Final Word

Fire Safety for Manufacturing Plants Conclusion

Fire safety is essential to the productive, efficient operation of a manufacturing facility. Because industrial and manufacturing facilities work round the clock in such high-risk environments, it is important to make sure that plant machinery, products, and people are as protected to the maximum. Additionally, there are fire safety inspection software solutions that can be used to manage an organization’s full range of fire and life safety inspections. So, manufacturers should never wait till things get on fire – literally and figuratively!

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Manufacturing In The Digital Age

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In this age of social media, industries are looking to build their brand presence digitally. Customers are increasingly moving service interactions online, with people nowadays being short of time and looking for easier ways to purchase. Digital businesses can engage their audiences, undertake trend analysis, research sentiment regarding its products, identify industry influencers and conduct competitor comparisons. These trends present a massive opportunity for manufacturers to stand out as a service differentiator as there are techniques by which manufacturing brands can leverage social media to reach B2B buyers and future proof its supply chains. This blog will dive deeper into this interesting topic with relevant use cases.

Shifting To Full Online Customer Service

The value of data has been listed as a top manufacturing technology trend. The inherent high visibility of social media platforms underscores the critical importance of delivering exceptional customer experiences based on data and harnessing their potential to substantially enhance a company’s reputation. Transforming social media activity into a comprehensive customer service channel is not always straightforward but with a well-crafted strategy, prioritising response times and cultivating a consistent tone of voice, brands can provide a meaningful experience for customers. For instance, James Hardie, a large manufacturer, has renovated its social strategy by wholeheartedly embracing customer care via social media. The company uses monitoring tools such as Sprout Social to increase knowledge about their audience and optimise customer care operations with a single line of sight on customer sentiment.

Questions For Thought

Some questions which manufacturers need to ask themselves regarding social media trends of the audience are as follows: –

  • What is being said about your brand on social media? (such as the social media chatter on the environmentally invasive Scarborough project)
  • What is the general sentiment of the conversation?
  • Where in Australia or globally is the conversation happening? What print and online publishers are promoting quality editorial around your vertical?
  • Who are the most active individuals and groups within the conversation – on and offline?
  • What resource organisations have engaged online communities? What led to their success?

Social media monitoring tools such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Brandwatch, and Brand24 are useful starting points for streamlining and managing customer interactions on social media platforms.

Transforming Social Stories

By crafting compelling content, manufacturers can drive social media engagement, expand reach, and encourage audience interaction and sharing. Brand social display can leverage brand benefits to tell the brand story. Facebook & Instagram carousels can expand on a brand’s story with slightly longer messaging and multiple images. Prospects can be retargeted with product features or price-led messaging. As an example, Avery Dennison, a major pipe fabrication company is taking full advantage of video to attract its audience. Fully loading its YouTube channel with product deep-dives, how-to videos or employer brand clips has proved to be a winning strategy with the brand amassing 26,000 subscribers.

Ending Comments

To help drive successful digital programs, B2B marketers need to translate overarching goals, such as creating positive brand association and affinity, into specific measurable online actions. Examples can include acquiring supporters to social channels, acquiring email addresses for outbound marketing efforts, or engaging broader online communities to independently disseminate the firm’s message. The major takeaway is that there is a new customer and stakeholder journey in the increasing impact social media networks have on purchase decision and behaviours. Different brands may need to use different social media platforms and a strategy that is fit for purpose – hence it is vital to understand who the brand is trying to reach else the message will likely get lost in translation!

CNC water jet cutting machine

Waterjet Cutting in Metal Fabrication

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Waterjet cutting is an innovative technology that has revolutionized metal fabrication and other industries. It involves using a high-pressure jet of water to cut through various materials including metals, plastics, and composites. Depending on the application, abrasive particles can be added to the water jet stream to further enhance the cutting ability. Waterjet cutting has become a popular choice in metal cutting because it offers a wide range of benefits compared to other metal cutting methods such as plasma cutting and laser cutting. In this blog post, we will discuss how waterjet cutting works and its advantages in metal fabrication.

How Does Waterjet Cutting Work?

Waterjet cutting involves a series of processes that include:

  1. Material preparation: This involves cleaning and drying the material to remove any debris or contaminants that could impede the cutting process.
  2. Design: The material is then designed using computer-aided design software (CAD). The CAD software generates a file that contains the exact design of the material to be cut.
  3. Programming: The CAD file is then transferred to a waterjet cutting machine that is programmed to follow the design specifications.
  4. Cutting: The waterjet machine cuts the material by directing a high-pressure jet of water through a small nozzle at the material. The force of the water cuts through the material, creating a clean and precise cut.

Advantages in Metal Fabrication

  1. Precise cuts: Waterjet cutting is a highly precise cutting method that can achieve a cut accuracy of up to 0.005 inches. This precision is due to its ability to produce a narrow and powerful cutting stream. This precision is essential in metal fabrication since it helps in creating parts with tight tolerances.
  2. Versatility: Waterjet cutting can cut through a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites. This versatility makes it a popular choice for metal fabrication, especially for materials that are difficult to cut using traditional cutting methods.
  3. Decreased material waste: Waterjet cutting generates reduced waste or scrap compared to other cutting methods. This is because the cutting process is very precise, and the kerf (the width of the cutting stream) is very narrow. This results in less material waste and reduced material costs.
  4. No Heat Affected Zone (HAZ): Other cutting methods such as plasma and laser cutting use heat to cut through materials. This heat can cause the material to warp, distort, or change its characteristics, leading to a HAZ. With waterjet cutting, there is no heat used in the cutting process, meaning that there is no HAZ.
  5. Eco-friendly: Waterjet cutting is eco-friendly compared to other cutting methods. This is because it does not generate any hazardous gases or dust, and it reduces water and energy consumption.

Applications in Metal Fabrication

Waterjet cutting has a wide range of applications in metal fabrication, including:

  1. Aerospace: The aerospace industry uses waterjet cutting in the fabrication of airplane parts such as wings, engine parts, and landing gears.
  2. Automotive: Waterjet cutting is used in the fabrication of automotive components such as body panels, exhaust systems, and engine parts.
  3. Architectural Metalwork: Waterjet cutting is used to create architectural metalwork such as railings, stairs, and decorative metal features in buildings.
  4. Medical Devices: Waterjet cutting is used in the fabrication of devices in the medical industry such as surgical instruments, prosthetics, and orthopaedic implants.
  5. Industrial Machinery: Waterjet cutting is used in the fabrication of industrial machinery such as pumps, valves, pressure vessels and gears.

Closing Comments

Waterjet cutting has become a popular choice in structural steel fabrication due to its precision, versatility, and eco-friendliness. It offers several benefits compared to other cutting methods and has a wide range of applications in various industries. Its precision and ability to cut through difficult to cut materials make it a valuable tool in metal fabrication.

New product concept. Start up business development idea.

Benefits of Product Management Software

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Developing a product from its initial concept to a fully realized consumable is no small feat. Product development can be a prolonged and iterative process with multiple iterations, bottlenecks, and challenges at every step of the development process. To maximize efficiency, product managers must have a clear sense of the challenges they face and the potential for product roadmap management software to help address them. So, what are the challenges encountered during product development and how does product management software help to mitigate these? Let us deep-dive into this topic.

Common Challenges Faced

  • Complex Supply Chains – Manufacturing even a relatively simple product may require numerous suppliers, components, and materials. Each point along the supply chain must be harmonized with the broader product development roadmap.
  • Varying Product Lifecycle Phases – Different products or components can be at various stages of development, production, or even retirement, which can be challenging to manage. Often, product managers must contend with different iterations of the same basic product or juggle the demands of various items within the product portfolio.
  • Regulatory Compliance – While steel manufacturing companies have a strong impact on global trade and industry, they are often subject to stringent regulatory requirements that change over time and vary by region. Product development must always be coordinated with legal compliance, encompassing everything from consumer safety to environmental stewardship.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration – Effective product development never happens in silos. Instead, it requires multi-disciplinary teams of designers, engineers, and testers to work together in tandem. Ultimately, bringing the product to store shelves requires collaboration with sales and marketing professionals.
  • Resource Allocation – Another challenge manufacturers face is ensuring their resources are allocated as effectively as possible. This includes manpower, mining plant and equipment, and raw materials. Ineffective resource allocation can yield a number of issues, including production bottlenecks that can bring the entire product development process to a standstill.

How Product Roadmap Management Software Can Help

  • Visibility Across Supply Chains – Roadmap software allows teams to visualize end-to-end logistics, identifying potential bottlenecks or areas of concern as part of efforts to future-proof supply chains. This perspective can enable product managers to source new vendors or to make necessary changes to the production timeline.
  • Lifecycle Management – With roadmap software, teams can track products at every stage of their lifecycle, ensuring no phase is overlooked. In other words, the right software solutions can ensure that product development teams pay an appropriate level of attention to products that are new to market (e.g., pressure vessels) and those that are close to being sunset, offering adequate support to the entire pool of customers.
  • Compliance Tracking – Additionally, product software solutions can be used to track regulatory changes and ensure products remain compliant throughout their lifecycle. This is an invaluable way to alleviate some of the regulatory burdens that product managers feel.
  • Enhanced Collaboration – Product roadmaps dismantle siloes and improves collaboration among product team members. A centralized dashboard fosters better communication among departments, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
  • Optimized Resource Allocation – Roadmap software can help identify underutilized assets or overburdened teams by providing a visual representation of resource allocation.

Final Thoughts

It should be understood that product development is a multi-step process involving many variables and countless potential hurdles. Product managers have their work cut out for them as they seek to clear those hurdles, but product roadmap management software can be an invaluable asset. Indeed, the right road mapping tools allow for improved visibility, collaboration, agility, cost control, and more. As such, these software solutions can be the “secret sauce” in successfully realizing the manufacturer’s vision of getting a product from its initial sketch to the marketplace!

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Virtual Power Plant – Taking The Next Leap

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After nearly two decades of stagnation, Australian electricity demand is surging, driven by growing numbers of electric cars, data centers and air conditioners in a warming climate. As a result, with the increased regulatory scrutiny on climate risk including reporting of emissions by manufacturers, traditional power plants that generate electricity from coal, natural gas or nuclear energy are retiring faster than new ones are being built in this country. Most new supply is coming from wind and solar farms, whose output varies with the weather. This has left power companies seeking new ways to balance supply and demand. One option being considered in this regard is virtual power plants. So, what are virtual power plants and how can they match up to physical plants? This blog will look to discuss this topic in detail.

The Hows and Whys

Virtual power plants are not massive facilities generating electricity at a single site. Rather, they are aggregations of electricity producers, consumers and storers – collectively known as distributed energy resources – that grid managers can call on as needed. Some of these sources, such as batteries, may deliver stored electric power via heat induction bending services. Others may be big electricity consumers, such as factories, whose owners have agreed to cut back their power use when demand is high, freeing up energy for other customers. Virtual power sources typically are quicker to site and build, and can be cleaner and cheaper to operate, than new power plants.

A Growing Resource

Virtual power plants are not a new concept. The US is estimated to already have 30 to 60 gigawatts of them in operation today. Most of these virtual power plants are industrial customers like heavy steel fabrication companies that have agreed to reduce demand when conditions are tight. But as growing numbers of homes and small businesses add rooftop solar panels, batteries and electric cars, these energy customers can become not only consumers but also suppliers of power to the grid. For instance, homeowners can charge up their batteries with rooftop solar when it is sunny, and discharge power back to the grid in the evening when demand is high and prices sometimes spike. As smart thermostats and water heaters, rooftop solar panels and batteries enable more customers to participate in them, it is estimated that virtual power plants could triple in scale by 2030. This growth would help to limit the cost of building new wind and solar farms and gas plants.

Virtual Power, Real Challenges

There are challenges associated with virtual power plants. Many customers are reluctant to give up even temporary control of their thermostats, or have a delay when charging their electric car. Some consumers are also concerned about the security and privacy of smart meters. It remains to be seen how many customers will sign up for these emerging programs and how effectively their operators will modulate supply and demand. There also are challenges at the business end. It is a lot harder to manage millions of consumers than dozens of power plants. Virtual power plant operators can overcome that challenge by rewarding customers for allowing them to flex their supply and demand in a coordinated fashion. As electricity demand rises to meet the needs of growing economies and replace fossil fuel-burning cars and furnaces, and there is a trend towards increasing energy independence, grid managers will need all the flexibility they can get to balance the variable output of wind and solar generation. Virtual power plants could help reshape electric power into an industry that is more nimble, efficient, and responsive to changing conditions and customers’ needs.

Final Comments

The expansion of the virtual power plant concept from businesses to consumers will take some time in terms of logistics and adjustment. There is also likely to be resistance from virtual and traditional power plant businesses to this new concept. However, in an increasingly virtual world, virtual power plant adoption is a question of “when” rather than “if” – so, early movers will reap major rewards!

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MoU Signed for Queensland Wind Farms

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The global energy trend is towards cleaner energy as evidenced by the UK strategy for greater energy independence. A deal for Queensland that expects to plant the seed for more renewable energy projects and boost and support innovative industries in the region.  There have been Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed on wind energy world-wide, such as the MoU between API and OOC. Now, a MoU has been signed by Stanwell Corporation and RWE to deliver Stanwell’s 9 – 10GW pipeline of renewable energy assets across Queensland. The MoU has identified RWE’s Theodore Wind Farm (TWF) near Biloela and a second wind farm in the early-stage development in Southern Queensland.

With the thrust on greater clean energy forming the backbone, this partnership between publicly owned energy Stanwell and global company RWE is to commence with the development of two new wind farms in Central and Southern Queensland by 2029. Together, these two developments will add an additional 1.8GW back into the regional communities. The partnership will now enable negotiations on public ownership, equity, and offtake models for the projects. TWF is set to be built on a 46,000-hectare site 30 km east of Theodore and 40 km southwest of Biloela in Queensland. TWF proposes to include 160 wind turbines on the site as well as a battery storage facility with the potential to host a solar farm.

The wind farm will have the capacity to generate enough electricity to power around 410,000 Queensland homes. When given the green light to start major works, the structural steel fabrication project is expected to take up to four years to complete. TWF is expecting to require up to 500 jobs at the peak of construction and a further 50 ongoing jobs over its projected 35-year operational life. RWE is committed to prioritising local employment and engagement with Queensland businesses whenever possible. The second renewable energy project identified through the MoU will be a 720MW wind farm in its early-stage development. No further information has been released on this second project. The proposed wind farms to be developed under the MoU are expected to be completed by 2029.

Source: https://www.projectory.com.au/article/mou-signed-for-two-wind-farms-that-will-boost-renewables-and-jobs-in-qld

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