District Energy - 2007 Fourth Quarter

to sell its electricity at top spot rates. It therefore works in collaboration with electricity retailers.

Trigeneration as an
alternative means of
cooling homes is of great
interest to Australian
national and state
governments.
Partnering Is Key

The most important part of the GridX business model has been partnering. Implementing the technology at Vision Estate was accomplished through close working relationships established with not only the developer, but also the city council, regulators

and suppliers, and finally subcontractors.

“From the very first employee to the most respected developers, we’ve recognized the benefits of working with the best,” explains Chambers. “We’ve used the good reputation and credibility of established partners to spread the word about our technology and aspirations. We’ve been careful and diligent in selecting partners from industry, and whilst we haven’t been the beneficiary of any government grants, we have ensured that key government departments are aware of our progress. We’ve been pleasantly surprised at how supportive people have been.”

What’s next for GridX? There are currently 600 homes contracted and a number of additional commercial buildings in the central business districts of Sydney and Melbourne that will connect to GridX systems in 2009. Industrial applications for the company’s trigeneration system are also in the pipeline in power-constrained areas. Although the company and its technology are poised to grow, it’s been the launch

of trigeneration in the residential sector that has truly put GridX on the map – and showcased the capability of district energy supply in Australia. The system has attracted interest from delegations from Singapore, the U.S. and China who are looking for energy solutions.

According to Chambers, the response to Vision Estate and its innovative energy supply has been overwhelming. “The challenges of trailblazing the introduction of new technology may be time-consuming and expensive, but when you get it right, it is incredibly rewarding.”

Gina Kelly is a freelance journalist and corporate affairs advisor based in New South Wales, Australia. She has extensive experience working in a wide range of industry sectors and government. She can be contacted at w. t.w@bigpond.net.au.