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[LG Chem customer case study] A Powerful Combination

09.20.2016

LG Chem answers the call for alternate energy solutions
Complementing a residential solar system with a storage solution is a big decision,
but one NSW homeowner found it can be tested one step at a time.

Energy consumers in Australia are growing dissatisfied with the never ending electricity hikes and the phasing
out of energy efficient incentives. Wanting to become independent of the grid, consumers are looking for
alternative energy solutions and are turning to energy storage solutions. It offers homeowners a way to store
energy generated from PV solar panels and utilise it for household energy needs. In some cases energy costs
can be halved.

Problem

Australian energy consumers want to find new solutions to become less dependent on the grid.
Despite following instructions to lower their energy consumption through more efficient lifestyles, there looks to be no
end in sight to high grid electricity prices. Australian energy prices have continued to rise, by 61% between 2008 and
2014, despite the decrease in energy use of 7% since 2002.

With the planned phase out of feed-in tariffs at the end of this year and into 2017, the incentive and appeal of
PV systems no longer exists for homeowners.

Bernd Luedecke, a resident of Hazelbrook in the NSW, was looking for an alternative energy solution that would be
sustained long into the future by reducing energy costs and dependence.

"My electricity costs were high, so the thought of investing some capital into a PV system with battery could lower
my electricity costs seemed favourable," Luedecke says.

Solution

In 2015 LG Chem launched the RESU 6.4EX into the Australian market using local installers to help drive awareness,
understanding and benefits of its storage system. One of them was Damian McMahon of Blue Mountain Solar.

Luedecke initially considered a Tesla storage system but after consultation with McMahon decided on the LG Chem
RESU6.4EX battery plus two 3.2kWh expansion units, he says.

"Initially, I was thinking about a TESLA storage system but after consultation with Damian, I decided on the LG Chem
RESU6.4EX battery plus two 3.2kWh expansion units," said Bernd Luedecke.

LG Chem is Korea''s largest diversified chemical company and operates three main business units: petrochemicals,
IT and electronic material, and energy solutions. Since launching into the Australian residential market in July 2015,
more than 600 LG Chem units have been installed. It expects 3,000 units will be installed in 2016.

The RESU 6.4 EX contains the highest energy density in the world, which means it is powerful for its size and can be
integrated easily into any home to slowly transform the power supply through a technical implementation.

"The batteries were added in stages," Luedecke says. "First I had a no-battery PV system, then a 6.4kWh battery was
added and monitored before two expansion units were added."

After installation the installer worked closely with the homeowner to help with trouble-shooting, fixing any installation
problems and after-installation issues to ensure all expectations were met.

"With the battery system in place my electricity cost has reduced significantly," Luedecke says. "The system has met
all my expectations around cost efficiency and PV engineering/storage efficiency."

Benefits

The major benefit of the storage system is the ability to store the electricity the solar panels generate during the day
that is excess to household usage.

At night a household can draw down the battery, thus saving costs on electricity that would otherwise be bought in
from the grid.

"On most nights my household can get through the night with zero buy-in of electricity from the grid," Luedecke says.

Energy storage also enables users to measure how much electricity they are using in kilowatt hours and dollars to give
them more control over how much grid energy they use. "My total cost with the battery PV system in place is around
$120 a quarter, or $480 a year," Luedecke says. "Without the system it would be $270 a quarter a about $1,080
a year."

Not only does a storage system help reduce electricity cost and dependence on the grid, it cuts dependence on fossil
fuel consumption.

"There is also a reduction in CO2 I generate since I demand less electricity generated by coal-fuelled power, which is
good for everyone."

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