Case Study

Zenobe/Transgrid:
Leichhardt
Bus Depot
Electrification

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Solution

388kWh Rooftop PV

1.25MW Storage

POWERING

40 x Electric Buses

36 x Electric Bus Chargers

Powering Sustainable Transit with Australia's Largest Electric Bus Depot

In 2022, Transgrid and UK energy company Zenobē Energy entered a joint venture to power Australia’s largest electric bus pilot in Sydney’s Leichhardt. Smart Commercial Solar were selected as solar and storage partners for the project. Aligned with Transport for New South Wales' ambitious 2030 zero-emission goals, the project introduced a fleet of 40 new electric buses at the Leichhardt Bus Depot as part of a broader electrification initiative.

The project, which received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), aimed to create a blueprint for a next-generation electric bus depot which seamlessly integrates vehicles, chargers, solar generation and batteries with the electricity grid.

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Key Project Stats

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21.8% in energy reduction

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6759.5T in annual C02 savings

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4 years payback period

THE CHALLENGE

The project faced immediate challenges, operating within an operational bus depot where safety was paramount. Preserving skylights on the roof required careful coordination and installation of edge protection and skylight covers throughout the project duration. Additionally, logistical challenges arose with multiple crane lifts required for material handling, necessitating precise coordination to avoid disruptions.

 

THE SOLUTION

Smart Commercial Solar took charge of designing and engineering the solar and battery systems, delivering 388kW of rooftop solar PV and a 2.5MW Tesla MegaPack that interfaced with the depot's electrical infrastructure. Despite technical challenges during the commissioning of the Tesla MegaPack, Smart Commercial Solar's previous experience with Tesla facilitated quick resolution, ensuring project delivery within the strict timeline.

 

THE RESULTS

The successful energisation and commissioning of the project marked a milestone in NSW's transition to sustainable transportation. The deployment of 40 new electric buses on Sydney's streets, managed by Zenobē's proprietary software, is estimated to save approximately 3,942 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The project garnered significant recognition, with features on 9 News and Ecogeneration highlighting its impact. As of April 2024, the rooftop solar system atop the Leichhardt bus depot has generated 679 MWh in total.

 
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