HighFlow Energy partnered with a Brisbane based property developer to deliver Queensland’s first fully electric, zero-emission co-living development. Located in Morningside, the project combines rooftop solar, SodiumSafe battery storage and AI-driven energy management to create sustainable, resilient electricity across 86 apartments.
Delivered under a cost-effective Energy-as-a-Service model, the system eliminates upfront investment, reduces carbon emissions and provides residents with predictable, lower-cost energy – setting a new standard for clean urban living.
Key Metrics
- Sites Covered – 86 co-living apartments, Morningside (Brisbane)
- Solar Capacity – 700kW shared rooftop PV
- Battery Storage – 2MWh SodiumSafe battery system
- Energy Model – Energy-as-a-Service (no upfront cost)
- Resident Savings: electricity and climate control included in rent
- Annual Emissions Reduction: >100 tonnes CO₂
- System Features: AI-powered EMS, VPP participation, modular external battery enclosure
The Challenge
The developer aimed to create a modern, sustainable co-living environment for young professionals and essential workers, but faced key barriers:
- Rising energy costs for tenants in a rental market with limited sustainability options
- The challenge to provide all services, heating, cooling, electricity… to all apartments in a sustainable manner
- A desire to reduce long-term operational costs and carbon footprint without passing costs onto residents
Traditional embedded networks often inflate tenant electricity bills and complicate management. The developer sought a better model – one that was simple, sustainable and scalable.
The Solution
HighFlow Energy implemented a shared microgrid solution, combining a 700kW rooftop solar array with a 2MWh SodiumSafe battery housed in an externally located, weatherproof enclosure. The battery’s advanced safety profile – non-flammable, thermally stable and free of rare or toxic materials – made it ideal for this urban residential setting.
A centralised AI-powered Energy Management System (EMS) dynamically balances energy use across the site, prioritising solar self-consumption, peak load reduction, and VPP integration. The system also provides real-time performance monitoring and ensures energy resilience.
Through HighFlow’s Energy-as-a-Service model, the developer incurred no upfront costs. Instead, a fixed monthly fee covers the full system, including installation, monitoring, maintenance and performance optimisation.
The Outcome
The development to operate with net-zero carbon energy, significantly reducing its environmental impact.
- Tenants access low-cost renewable energy included in rent
- The developer retains long-term energy asset control and receives full performance data for future planning.
- The system avoids over 100 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually – equivalent to taking 20+ cars off the road.
This successful deployment now serves as a replicable clean energy model for future high-density developments.
Why It Matters
The Morningside project redefines what’s possible in sustainable residential development. It shows that clean energy solutions can be safe, scalable and commercially viable – even in multi-tenant urban housing. By combining next-gen SodiumSafe storage with intelligent energy management and a flexible EaaS model, this project delivers on both climate and cost objectives – benefiting residents, developers and the broader grid.
HighFlow Energy is proud to support forward thinking partners leading Australia’s transition to low-carbon living – one community at a time.