1. SWITCHDIN.COM
Case Study
Community owned microgrid
with solar and battery training testbed
THE PROJECT
Moora Moora is a cooperative community in the Yarra
Ranges, 67 km east of Melbourne. The community of four
hamlets, 30 houses and 70 people relies on individual stand
alone off grid systems of solar. The community runs an
operational microgrid with a testing facility providing solar
and storage installer training courses.
This microgrid is fully off-grid and includes dozens of
different inverters, over 100 kWh of various battery
technologies, a hot water system (for load dumping), and
backup 22kVA diesel generator.
SwitchDin has enabled the cooperative to aggregate
devices under the StormCloudTM platform. Four DropletsTM
are installed for data collection, monitoring and control of
inverters, batteries and loads, which optimise performance
and support network power quality.
The microgrid features distributed control of inverters and
loads to manage frequency and voltage changes detected
on the network.
SwitchDin connects directly to the devices which means it
gets much richer data than conventional CT-based
monitoring solutions, reducing the need for additional
components. In addition to the electrical measurements, the
data includes AC and DC side, device status and alerts,
temperatures and other. This direct connection also means
the devices can be remotely configured and controlled
intelligently.
SwitchDin connects directly to the devices which means
the other power details can be accessed and the devices
controlled intelligently.
The people of Moora Moora cooperative
community
Location of Moora Moora
SwitchDin provides the technology to manage a community microgrid
June 2016 1
HIGHLIGHTS
Devices integrated so far
into the system include:
 Fronius Galvo
 Goodwee
 Schneider
 Selectronic SP Pro
 Giant IPS
 Victron
 Diesel genset
 + more to come
Enables Moora Moora
to operate a functional
microgrid and training
testbed.
Empowers Moora Moora
members with user
friendly monitoring,
analytics and control
Engages the local
community knowing that
their home and shared
assets are working
together as a single
integrated system
NEXT STEPS
Moora Moora continues to engage SwitchDin to
support the microgrid. The testbed is attracting
additional devices which are being connected
to the existing DropletsTM with new DropletsTM
installed without the need for an electrician.
SwitchDin is intending on using this project as
a pilot for demand management through
AS4777 compliant adapters and control via
adding functionality as a Demand Responsive
Energy Device (DRED). The system will feature
the ability to control loads using an AS4755
adapter.
As this microgrid is able to simulate a real-
world transactive energy service, it allows
testing and implementation of various systems
and processes required to enable peer-to-peer
trading and virtual net metering.

2. SWITCHDIN.COM
Case Study
DropletTM installation
June 2016 2
“I had been looking for a solution to
effectively manage our microgrid for
years.
SwitchDin’s site wide monitoring and
control system is just the integration
platform we need to manage our broad
range of hybrid and grid inverters.”
Glen Morris
Moora Moora Microgrid Operator
MICROGRIDS IN AUSTRALIA
Microgrids are an important part of our solution to the
smart grid. Whilst it may make sense for towns and
communities at the edge of networks to become self-
sufficient and disconnect, most microgrids will remain
connected to the network. New subdivisions may find it
cost-effective not to connect to the grid, and microgrids
could also be useful within major cities, addressing areas
where the network is constrained by inadequate or end-of
-life network assets.
Enabling microgrids requires aggregation of individual
energy systems through a beyond-the-meter approach.
Capturing electricity production and storage data allows
for ‘virtual services’ which microgrids can provide to the
main network.
For successful microgrid development and operation, it
takes more than just integrating and balancing multiple
loads and distributed generation resources. A common
language of data communication is key to successfully
integrated microgrids.
SWITCHDIN AND MICROGRIDS
SwitchDin enables microgrid operators to
manage fleets of connected solar and
battery installations through beyond-the-
meter system integration. This flexibility
means microgrid operators can access the
data created by a diverse range of
different connected end user owned
systems.
Microgrids often require communal
generation and storage which can be
integrated as part of the fleet. System
monitoring tools, coupled with advanced
optimisation and control functionality,
allow microgrid operators to make
appropriate changes and resolve issues
swiftly. If network management is
required, SwitchDin can customise an
integration solution that connects directly
to the microgrid DNSP’s DMS or SCADA.
AS4777 and AS4755 standards based
approach is also provided for demand
management in both on and off grid
scenarios.
ABOUT SWITCHDIN
SwitchDin enables communities of solar and batteries
through system integration including cross platform
data communication and cloud computing. Beyond-the-
meter data is linked with the wider network to provide a
complete solution for aggregation and control.
SwitchDin empowers microgrid operators, retailers, solar
integrators and networks with monitoring, optimisation
and control functionality at their fingertips.
The SwitchDin team works hard everyday to create the
integration solutions to engage end users and ignite the
smart grid.
More information is available on our website
www.switchdin.com
ABN: 29 154 893 857
e info@switchdin.com
t +61 2 4786 0426
@SwitchDin