2017 BANKSIA SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT AWARD

Reaching 100% with Australia’s First Commercially Operating Community Mini Grid by Totally Renewable Yackandandah in partnership with AusNet Services, VIC

Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) is an incorporated association and community advocacy group working with the Yackandandah community to generate 100 per cent of the town’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2022. TRY has partnered with AusNet Services to develop and implement a four stage Community Mini Grid to achieve this goal. Successful development of the mini-grid will have significant implications for the nature of the national electricity grid. It is a path-breaking project that can overcome existing obstacles to baseload renewable energy, rapidly increase renewable energy generation, and produce significant energy efficiency outcomes. TRY is a completely volunteer run organisation supported by its own fundraising activities.

Finalists:
• Low Carbon, High Performance by Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council in partnership with ClimateWorks Australia, NSW
• Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI Sustainable Communities) by Tangaroa Blue Foundation, WA
• City of Onkaparinga Urban Creek Recovery Project, SA