Real Utilities to expand footprint with new microgrid for Zenexus

• Real Utilities to install new microgrid for Zenexus at Frasers Property Industrial’s Rubix Connect estate
• Real Utilities recently completed the first solar, battery storage and biodiesel genset system in an industrial warehouse in Melbourne at Rubix Connect
• Microgrid to provide green energy for the cost of brown to Australasia’s largest privately-owned supplier of major brand storage, hardware and retail products

Real Utilities, Frasers Property Australia’s wholly owned licensed energy retailing business, is expanding its footprint in the industrial sector with the installation of a new microgrid which will provide green power for the price of brown to an office-warehouse facility occupied by Zenexus at Rubix Connect, owned and developed by Frasers Property Industrial.

Earlier this year, Frasers Property Industrial and TMX announced Zenexus, one of Australasia’s largest privately-owned supplier of major brand storage, hardware and retail products, had signed a seven-year lease for a new 15,000sqm combined head office and state distribution centre at Rubix Connect, in Melbourne’s Dandenong South.

The facility will be developed by Frasers Property Industrial in partnership with Zenexus, with Real Utilities to install, own and manage an integrated solar, battery storage and biodiesel generator local energy network to provide 100% Climate Active-certified carbon neutral energy to the facility.

“By building off the success of our industrial pilot projects, we’re continuing to grow our footprint in the sector. There is huge scope for warehouse, distribution and logistics facilities to generate their own renewable energy and enjoy the carbon neutral power benefits of an microgrid solution which integrates solar, biodiesel gensets and battery storage to future-proof supply and costs,” Paolo Bevilacqua, General Manager, Real Utilities says.

“This is what our microgrid for Zenexus will achieve. We’re proud to welcome Zenexus to our growing customer base as we pursue further opportunities in the industrial sector to complement our microgrid operations in the residential, commercial and retail sectors,” he says.

With the ever-accelerating energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy the attraction to customers of a resilient energy supply provided by an on-site renewable energy microgrid is a unique offering that Real Utilities is able to provide to Frasers Property Industrial’s customers.

The Real Utilities microgrid for Zenexus will comprise 200kWh of battery storage, a 400kVa biodiesel generator set and a 400kW rooftop solar PV installation. The facility is expected to be operational and benefitting from carbon neutral energy in the last quarter of 2022.

“We’re open about our commitment to minimise our impact on the environment and we recognise our responsibility starts with our own operations. Working with Real Utilities to ensure our new Victorian head office and distribution centre is powered by a 100% carbon neutral energy supply, including significant renewable energy generated on-site, will make an important contribution to a wider sustainability strategy,” Rodney Sutton, Managing Director, Zenexus says.

Supply chain consultant TMX Global advised Zenexus throughout the Utility Supply Agreement process with Real Utilities.

“We recognised the Real Utilities energy solution would deliver a cost-efficient, sustainable and reliable energy supply to Zenexus which aligns with their commitment towards an immediate reduction in their carbon footprint and future carbon neutral operating model. It is great to see that progressive landlords are starting to implement these fantastic initiatives” says Sam Dellios, Director of Property, TMX Global.

The new deal follows Real Utilities’ recent completion of an microgrid in a dual facility at Rubix Connect tenanted by efm Logistics and  Ozito Industries Pty Ltd. This facility was one of two that attracted an investment of up to $75 million from the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), as part of a A$300 million sustainability linked loan secured by Frasers Property Australia, which saw Real Utilities deploy clean energy technologies and deliver a 100% certified carbon neutral energy outcome for the tenants, providing green power for the price of brown.

Real Utilities supplies energy for Frasers Property Australia’s residential communities, shopping centres, build-to-rent and office assets, as well as Frasers Property Industrial’s assets in Australia.

The company installs and operates its own energy infrastructure such as solar panels, batteries and biodiesel generators, enabling it to provide a combination of renewable energy, certified carbon offsets and certified renewable energy certificates to people and businesses. Real Utilities – and the energy it provides – is certified carbon neutral by the Australian Government’s Climate Active program.

For more information about Real Utilities, call 1300 16 16 68 or visit realutilities.com.au.

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