PowerSync launches optimiser for Australian energy users

PowerSync Technologies has launched a new Market-Fit Optimiser built with TechConnect and Fathom Data. The software is designed to help Australian companies use solar, batteries and other energy resources to participate in the National Electricity Market.

The system gives PowerSync's commercial and industrial customers near real-time control of distributed energy resources across energy markets, helping them monetise those assets. Its customers include large retailers, heavy industry groups and manufacturers that use more than 100 MWh of electricity a year.

Founded in 2022, PowerSync develops software for the control and market participation of energy assets such as battery storage, hybrid renewable systems, flexible load and embedded generation. The new optimiser replaces an earlier platform that was costly to run and no longer aligned with the company's plans to improve co-optimisation across markets linked to distributed energy resources.

The previous system also limited PowerSync's ability to extract more value from customer assets. The new platform is intended to improve that while also handling operational controls and compliance requirements tied to participation in the National Electricity Market.

Market shift

The launch comes as more Australian commercial and industrial energy users invest in on-site solar, batteries and other flexible energy assets. These businesses are increasingly looking to cut energy costs and create new revenue streams by trading their flexibility into the market.

That trend has increased demand for software that can decide when to charge or discharge batteries, adjust loads and respond to market signals while meeting regulatory obligations. PowerSync's optimiser is aimed at that part of the market, where companies want to combine energy management with income from wholesale and related markets.

South Africa-based Fathom Data worked with TechConnect and PowerSync on the optimisation engine at the centre of the software. It contributed data science and mathematical optimisation capabilities intended to support co-optimisation across multiple energy markets and near real-time decision-making for distributed energy resources.

PowerSync's chief technology officer said the platform reflects a broader shift in how large energy users approach renewable assets and market participation.

"Australian companies, from C&I, Utility and large retailers, are increasingly investing in solar and battery, and other sources of energy. With this highly sophisticated Optimiser solution, PowerSync Technologies can now unlock ways for these companies to not only manage their energy costs more efficiently, but maximise monetisation of their investments through the market, while also being confident they are meeting regulatory compliance requirements.

"As the market grows and becomes more sophisticated for energy trading for Australian C&I companies, we are choosing to collaborate with TechConnect to give our C&I customers access to best-in-class value capture. This is a game changer for the millions of dollars which companies invest in renewables," said Axel La Toison, chief technology officer at PowerSync Technologies.

Technology partners

TechConnect, headquartered on the Gold Coast, said the project forms part of its work in data management and AI-led systems across sectors including mining, retail, agriculture and healthcare. In this case, it helped PowerSync build software that can connect distributed energy assets with a growing set of market and compliance requirements.

The integrated multi-market approach is already allowing PowerSync to give customers access to a broader range of energy trading markets. The software is also intended to help them manage compliance as market rules and reporting obligations become more complex.

"TechConnect is proud to be providing truly innovative, data management solutions to a range of industries," said Clint Thomson, Director of TechConnect.

"We are excited to be able to help an outstanding company such as PowerSync Technologies to evolve its platform to help Australian large energy users to manage their energy efficiently and create revenues from it, whilst supporting the energy transition. We invest heavily in our innovation and the skills of our developers and it's rewarding to be able to provide a company like PowerSync Technologies with a real-world solution which helps them maintain their competitive edge and unlock greater value for clients," Thomson said.

For Australian energy users, the significance lies in the growing push to treat on-site energy assets not only as a source of electricity savings, but also as tradable resources. Software that can coordinate batteries, solar and flexible demand across several markets is becoming more important as businesses look for returns on renewable investments beyond lower bills.

PowerSync's platform is built for the Australian market and structured across edge, cloud and market layers. With the new optimiser in place, the company is positioning itself to serve a segment of the market where energy users want tighter operational control of assets while also seeking revenue from market participation.

Fathom Data's optimisation work sits at the centre of that effort, enabling the software to make market decisions across different energy products in near real time for distributed resources.