The Victorian town of Heyfield unveils promising energy solutions at Twilight Town Hall event.
Pictured above: Rosemary Dunworth from the MyTown project’s Community Reference Group (CRG) addressing the June 2 evening event in Heyfield’s rooftop solar-powered Memorial Hall and Library building.
Heyfield, a close-knit community in Victoria, celebrated a momentous occasion on Friday 2 June 2023 as they wrapped up the three-year MyTown Microgrid project. The initiative, a collaboration between the Heyfield Community Resource Centre, Wattwatchers Digital Energy, and the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), aimed to understand Heyfield’s energy needs. It tested the feasibility of a microgrid as one possible way the town could produce and manage sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy.
The project, running from mid-2020 to mid-2023, involved a diverse range of participants spanning from enthusiastic primary school students to business owners. It was only fitting that the closing event took the form of a lively Twilight Town Hall celebration. Families reveled in the festivities, enjoying engaging games, delectable food, and live music that resonated through the joyous atmosphere.
Now Heyfield knows exactly where it needs to focus its efforts, while it has already built the capacity and knowledge it needs for the next step in the journey towards a better and fairer energy future.
– Dr Scott Dwyer, ISF
The event was officially opened by Wellington Shire Councillor Carmel Ripper, who expressed her support for the MyTown project and her personal involvement. ISF Research Director Dr. Scott Dwyer, took the stage to reveal the findings of MyTown's comprehensive research.
Pictured above: Wellington Shire Councillor Carmel Ripper
Dr. Dwyer shared that, while a microgrid proved to be the wrong fit for Heyfield, the MyTown process has helped bring the community closer to reaching their energy goals.
“We discovered that a microgrid didn’t offer enough benefit for the town – but we also discovered some other options that look much more promising,” Dr Dwyer explains.
“Now Heyfield knows exactly where it needs to focus its efforts, while it has already built the capacity and knowledge it needs for the next step in the journey towards a better and fairer energy future.”
Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Ian Bye also extended his gratitude to the project's partners and key stakeholders, with a special mention of the Heyfield community.
“This project is part of an exciting trend in our region that is seeing renewable energy transition accelerating within Wellington Shire. Climate change is our number one Council priority and following the completion of the MyTown Microgrid project, Heyfield is now identified as a key locality for renewable energy development. With the scale of investment and the demand for more sustainable communities, we couldn’t be happier to discover what a renewable energy future could look like for the town of Heyfield.”
At the heart of the MyTown project lay the invaluable collection of energy-use data from residences, businesses, and community facilities across Heyfield. Anchored by Wattwatchers' cutting-edge smart monitoring technology deployed at over 100 locations, this data helped the community comprehend their energy consumption, solar generation, and future requirements in an era defined by electrification and decarbonisation. Simultaneously, the initiative served as a crash course in energy literacy.
Wattwatchers CEO Gavin Dietz thanked the Heyfield community, acknowledging the transformative opportunity that MyTown presented. By empowering Heyfielders with real-time energy data, Wattwatchers effectively engaged with customers, local businesses, industries, and community establishments, including the town's schools. Dietz proudly regarded Heyfield as the first "energy data town" for Wattwatchers, sharing plans to empower more communities with similar energy data resources.
Julie Bryer of the Heyfield Community Resource Centre took the stage to reflect upon the transformative journey undertaken by her and the entire community. Julie said, “It’s been so rewarding watching how small ideas can evolve into bigger possibilities.”
Heyfield's experience with the MyTown project serves as an inspiring model for other communities embarking on the path to energy self-sufficiency. Leveraging the knowledge gained, the project has given birth to two invaluable online resources, both showcased at the memorable event.
The first is the ADEPT platform, a centralised system that aggregates the energy data collected. The second, the MyTown Decision Support Tool, which is an intuitive online app designed to help other communities in navigating the process of selecting the most suitable energy options for their unique circumstances.
This study has revolutionised the town's energy landscape. The conclusion of the MyTown Microgrid project leaves an indelible mark, solidifying the town's position as a pioneer in sustainable energy solutions.
As other communities strive to follow in their footsteps, the knowledge and tools generated by Heyfield's journey will undoubtedly guide them toward a greener, more prosperous future.
[l-r]: Tim McCoy (Wattwatchers), Julie Bryer (Heyfield Community Resource Centre), Dr Scott Dwyer (ISF), Wellington Shire Councillor Carmel Ripper