HORIZEN Issue 2 Summer 2012/13

Issue 2 suMMeR 2012/13

World first energy storage technology

Royal approval for ZEN

Grid support for Ausgrid

Showering YHA Adelaide with hot water

Happy new franchisees

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I can’t believe it is Christmas again!

2012 has been such a busy and challenging year – our Sales Team have been flat-out adapting to the vagaries of government legislation changes, and, as usual, our Research & Development Department have been pushing technological boundaries. It’s lucky that ZEN Energy Systems is blessed with outstanding people who are exceptional performers, and prepared to meet challenges head on. I congratulate them all.

The good news for you is that the economics of Solar have never been better. And, with the introduction of ZEN’s world-leading Energy Storage technologies (due for release in

Richard Turner CEO ZEN Energy Systems

late January 2013), you’ll actually be able to invest in being your own energy producer.

Prince Charles was particularly impressed by our technologies when he visited Adelaide in November. We were one of only four companies selected by the South Australian Government to be given the honour of presenting to His Royal Highness. It was very exciting, and Prince Charles was a most interested and engaging visitor.

A couple of weeks ago, the Federal Government announced its ‘Energy Blueprint’, essentially setting the stage for the national introduction of Time of Use Smart Meters.

A SAFE AND SUNNY CHRISTMAS FROM US ALL

3HORIZEN SUMMER 2012/13

The good news is that the economics of Solar have never been better. With the introduction of ZEN’s world-leading Energy Storage technologies, you’ll actually be able to invest in being your own energy producer.

The blueprint highlights the use of Peak Energy and Grid Infrastructure as the main drivers of increasing electricity prices. In fact, the cost of infrastructure makes up half our power bill – we are spending an absolute fortune on it for a few key hours during summer when we all switch our air conditioners on.

The introduction of Smart Meters will certainly showcase the potential of our Energy Storage technologies. They allow home or business owners to store low-cost off-peak energy, add in their solar energy (if available), and use it during the peaks when energy is expensive. It can also provide 24-hours of back-up power should the Grid fail.

So, 2013 is shaping up to be another big year for ZEN Energy Systems, with more exciting initiatives and developments in the pipeline which we plan to share with you in the New Year. In the meantime, have a wonderful and safe Christmas, enjoy the sun and make plenty of energy!

Richard Turner Chief Executive Officer ZEN Energy Systems

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In January 2013, ZEN’s new range of Freedom PowerBanks will be ready for production. It is something the ZEN team are very excited about, because this technology is a world-first, and marks the beginning of independent energy storage.

A ZEN Freedom PowerBank acts like a large rechargeable battery (about the size of a fridge). It stores energy generated by solar energy systems. Fully charged, it can power a home for up to 24 hours. If there’s a blackout, you’ll be able to keep powering on. It also gives you the freedom to store energy from the Grid. This can be done at off-peak times, significantly reducing your power bill.

Recently, the Freedom PowerBank was unveiled at ‘All Energy 2012’ in Melbourne. The response was amazing – CEO Richard Turner’s keynote address attracted a ‘standing in the aisles’ audience.

Joining Richard and the ZEN team were a number of national and international dignitaries, including Innovation Minister Tom Koutsantonis, US Vice Consul Andrew Moore, and South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill who believes companies like ZEN are helping to position his state at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.

ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY IS WORLD FIRST

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ZEN CEO Richard Turner was given the honour of presenting to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, during his visit to Adelaide on November 7, 2012. The Prince, a passionate environmentalist, was very impressed with ZEN’s innovative renewable energy solutions, particularly the new PowerBank range, quipping that it was a far cry from the old battery technology used at the ‘Royal Farm’.

The Prince was amazed at just how far technology had been advanced and utilised by ZEN Energy Systems, citing our Micro Grid PowerBank – which can provide

power to remote communities for almost half the cost of diesel – as a wonderful innovation. He was also impressed by our Battery Operation System that utilises low-cost lithium battery technology, and by the way our Grid Support PowerBank system can be used to alleviate peak demand problems on the world’s ageing power grids.

Richard also explained to the Prince that ZEN has the technology to take one of the Palaces off the power grid. It had him thinking where he could hide the solar panels, and that thought made headlines in the local and UK media!

Richard explained to the Prince that ZEN has the technology to take one of the Palaces off the power grid.

ROYAL APPROVAL

ZEN CEO Richard Turner was given the honour of presenting to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales

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ZEN makes staying informed about your energy usage easy thanks to your in-home monitoring system. For further information regarding how to use your in home monitor or questions you may have please contact the ZEN Technical Support Department.

[email protected] 08 8211 0603

Staying informed about your energy usage is easy

ENERGY MONITOR TIPS

Screen 1: Power today Shows the amount of power generated so far for that day and overall total since the system was installed.

Screen 2: Power yesterday Shows you the amount of power generated yesterday.

Screen 3: Yield of last 31 days Shows the amount of power in kWh’s generated for the last 31 days.

Screen 4: Yield of last 12 months Shows the amount of kWh’s generated for the last 12 months.

Screen 5: Specific annual yield Once programmed, this will show you the peak power of your specific system e.g. 2kW, 3kW, 4kW, etc.

Screen 6: Revenue Revenue made on gross FIT scheme (not currently applicable for Australian installations).

Screen 7: CO2 avoided Shows kilograms of CO2 avoided by not using normal electricity from the mains grid.

Scroll downwards to get to the next screen, upwards to go back to the previous screen. Note that “kWh” stands for “Kilowatt Hour.”


On December 6, the launch of two high-tech Solar Trackers was celebrated at a function at the Jacob’s Creek Visitors Centre, near Tanunda in the Barossa Valley.

Located near the entrance of the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, the Solar Trackers are mounted on moveable frames, and use a state-of-the-art astronomical program to accurately track the sun, even on cloudy days. This increases panel energy output by 40% compared to standard fixed solar panels. The Solar Trackers have the capacity to generate a combined

daily output of 220kWh, enough to offset the majority of the Visitor Centre’s power usage.

“With the increasing cost of electricity, solar power is becoming an attractive option for commercial businesses,” said ZEN CEO Richard Turner. “However, with the installation of these trackers, Jacobs Creek is also demonstrating leadership in the company’s impact upon the environment.”

The trackers are robustly built to withstand adverse weather, automatically moving to a safe, horizontal position in high winds.

TRACKING THE SUN AT JACOB’S CREEK

Jacob’s Creek Solar Tracker System: (left to right) Barossa Mayor Brian Hern, ZEN CEO Richard Turner, Jacob’s Creek’s Greg Stirling


ZEN Energy Systems is in the closing stages of negotiating a long-term lease with Ausgrid to deploy a 60kW/120kWh Grid Support PowerBank system in Newington, NSW. The system will provide Ausgrid with vital information about how energy storage works in homes fitted with solar panels.

The ZEN Grid Support PowerBank operates in three-phase, and is able to provide a range of functions.

First ZEN Freedom PowerBank on delivery to site

GRID SUPPORT FOR AUSGRID

These will aid Ausgrid in submitting its report to the regulator of the ‘Smart Grid, Smart City’ (SGSC) project. The involvement of ZEN Energy Systems is important, because it puts our leading technology in front of SGSC consortium partners, including GE Energy, Energy Australia, IBM, Landis & Gyr, Grid Net, Sydney Water and Hunter Water.

The ZEN team is also heavily engaged in marketing the capabilities of the Grid Support PowerBanks to Distribution Utilities and several large Off-Grid Operators who are currently designing Energy Efficiency projects. These are due to commence in late 2013.

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Installation of our solar thermal solution also had its challenges, mainly due to the lack of roof space for solar panels. Yet, as always, we found a way.

YHA Adelaide engaged ZEN Energy Systems to replace their inefficient, out-dated hot water system. Replacing the old system was not an easy task. It was located in the third-level plant room and weighed in excess of a tonne, without water.

Installation of our solar thermal solution also had its challenges, mainly due to the lack of roof space for solar panels. Yet, as always, we found a way.

The solution included a Primary System – coupled with a 945L Solar Thermal Tank and ninety-six ZEN Evacuated Tubes – capable of delivering 3,670L of 65°C water per peak hour.

That was enough to supply reliable hot water to YHA Adelaide’s commercial kitchen and laundry, and over 200 showers. And, most importantly, ZEN Energy Systems will have reduced their hot water running costs by up to 60%.

SHOWERING YHA ADELAIDE WITH HOT WATER

Evacuated tube hot water manifolds on YHA Adelaide rooftop

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The last quarter has seen some excellent achievements by our ZEN Energy Systems franchisees. Both ZEN Victor Harbor (Lisa Fredberg and Adam Wright) and ZEN Eyre (Trent and Chantelle Howie) were finalists in the Advantage SA Regional Small Business Awards. ZEN Eyre was also a ‘Franchisee of the Year’ finalist in the Franchise Council of Australia’s NAB SA Awards held in Adelaide.

The quarter also realised strong growth within the ZEN Energy System franchise network.

The quarter also realised strong growth within the ZEN Energy System franchise network. The two newest ZEN Franchises

– Mount Gambier and Mildura – recently had their Grand Opening celebrations. They were huge successes, with local communities welcoming our franchisees, and showing a keen interest in our market-leading technologies.

ACCOLADES AND OPENINGS

Lisa Fredberg and Adam Wright, ZEN Victor Harbor


The ZEN Energy Systems franchise network has expanded.

It’s exciting news, and we are very pleased to welcome our two new franchise teams: Luke and Kylie Thornton, who have taken on the Mildura, Riverland and Broken Hill territories, and Daniel and Justyna Grosse who have commenced operations in Mount Gambier and Warrnambool.

If you would like further information on becoming a franchisee of Australia’s leading renewable energy system, please contact us.

HAPPY NEW FRANCHISES

The ZEN Energy Systems Franchisees at the 2012 Annual General Meeting

Both franchises have been operating since mid-August, but they weren’t ‘officially’ launched until their Grand Openings at the end of October.

ZEN Energy Systems still have franchise territories available. If you would like further information on becoming a franchisee of Australia’s leading renewable energy system, please contact our Franchise Development Coordinator on 1300 796 766 or [email protected] to request your free information package.


The Solar North East program was a 2-year project designed to enhance the uptake of small-scale solar power and increase the level of ‘energy knowledge’ within local communities. The program was funded by Sustainability Victoria and the seven participating north east Victorian Municipal Councils.

Over the two years, the Solar North East Program was directly responsible for ZEN Energy Systems supplying and installing almost 400 domestic solar power systems.

After an exhaustive tender process – based on servicing, performance, quality and price – ZEN Energy Systems was chosen as the preferred supplier of Solar Energy Solutions. As a part of the tender, we also conducted 33 public information sessions across the seven council areas. The response was overwhelming, with over 2,200 people attending, all keen to learn about the financial and environmental benefits of solar.

Over the two years, the Solar North East Program was directly responsible for ZEN Energy Systems supplying and installing almost 400 domestic solar power systems. This equates to almost 1,200kW of power, representing 16% of the total solar generating capacity installed in the seven council areas. Over a year, 1,840MWh of energy was generated and 2,650 tonnes of CO2 emissions were offset. We also installed over 100kW of power to council-owned buildings within the Solar North East program area.

However, the most significant figure was the reduction in household electricity costs. On average, $1,440 per year was saved on energy bills.

SOLAR NORTH EAST PROGRAM

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REFER A FRIEND AND YOU COULD BOTH BE REWARDED

ZEN Energy Systems are market leaders in solar and energy storage technology, engineering and service. If you have one of our systems installed, you’ve probably mentioned all the benefits to your friends, particularly how much money you’re saving on electricity.

So, as an added incentive to keep spreading the good news about ZEN Energy Systems, we’re offering you a $50 Coles/Myer Gift Voucher for every successful referral you give us. Not only that, we’ll also do the same for the person you refer. That way, you are both rewarded.

All you have to do is download our Friends and Family Referral Form here, complete the details and post it to the address below. We will then contact your referral for a no-obligation inspection and quote.

Thanks again for choosing ZEN Energy Systems.

We’re offering you a $50 Coles/Myer Gift Voucher for every successful referral you give us.

http://www.zenhomeenergy.com.au/upload/Friends_Family_ReferralForm_v1.2.pdf

HORIZEN Issue 2 Summer 2012/13

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Transcript of HORIZEN Issue 2 Summer 2012/13