Integrated Energy Storage for a Multi-Use Vineyard
Location: Regional Victoria
Installer & Integrator: Deacam Engineering
System Partner: DPA
Cabinet Manufacturer: Complete Power Partners (CPP)
Inverters: Victron Energy
Batteries: Discover Energy Systems
Project Overview
This project involved upgrading a regional vineyard property from a single-purpose solar pumping system into a fully integrated, three-phase, multi-use energy system supporting irrigation, agricultural operations, and residential loads.
The site had an existing ground-mounted solar array originally installed to power a long-distance irrigation pump drawing water from the Yarra River. While effective for pumping, the system was isolated and unable to support broader site requirements.
The new owners required:
- Three-phase power for residential and operational loads
- Continued use of the existing solar array
- Reliable energy capacity across multiple use cases
- A system that could be commissioned with confidence and expanded over time
Deacam Engineering led the installation and integration, working closely with DPA, CPP, Victron Energy, and Discover Energy Systems to deliver a robust, predictable outcome.
The Challenge
The site presented several technical challenges:
- No existing three-phase supply at the property
- A legacy solar array designed solely for pumping via a VSD inverter
- The need to integrate three-phase grid supply, solar generation, batteries, diesel generation, and diverse loads
- High expectations for reliability due to irrigation, livestock, and vineyard operations
Rather than starting from scratch, the client wanted to maximise the value of existing infrastructure while future-proofing the system.
The Approach
Deacam Engineering worked from a position of long-term trust with the site, having designed and installed the original pumping system years earlier and continuing as the ongoing service partner.
To meet the expanded requirements, Deacam engaged DPA to support system architecture and component selection. DPA worked with CPP to manufacture a pre-engineered, integrated cabinet solution, supported by Victron inverter control and Discover battery technology.
The project involved:
- Collaborative design reviews between Deacam, DPA, and Complete Power Partners (CPP)
- Schematic and system architecture validation prior to manufacture
- Factory-built cabinet integration to reduce on-site risk
- On-site installation and commissioning by Deacam
This approach allowed Deacam to focus on installation quality and site integration while relying on a proven, pre-engineered platform.
The System
System Capacity (at a glance)
- Inverter capacity: 60 kVA (three-phase)
- Battery storage: 99 kWh usable, expandable to 200 kWh
- Grid connection: Three-phase supply (upgraded)
Core System Elements
- Integrated CPP cabinet housing batteries and inverter equipment
- Victron Energy inverter platform providing system control, load management, and operational logic
- Discover Energy Systems battery modules with closed-loop communication
- Integration of the existing solar pumping array into a broader, multi-use site energy system
- Support for grid-connected, hybrid, and backup operation across residential and agricultural loads
The result was a clean, consolidated installation with predictable system behaviour during commissioning and reliable day-to-day operation.
Why This Solution Worked
Predictable system behaviour
Closed-loop battery communication and robust inverter control ensured system limits were clearly defined and respected in real time.
Reduced on-site risk
Factory-assembled cabinetry and pre-validated design significantly reduced commissioning issues and installation surprises.
Future flexibility
The system was designed to support expansion, additional loads, and evolving operational needs without major rework.
Installer Perspective – Deacam Engineering
“What I value most about working with DPA is that they help remove the blind spots early. Because they understand how the components interact, we get clearer answers up front, which means better design decisions and far fewer surprises once we’re on site.”
– Warren Bradford, Director, Deacam Engineering
Technology Partner Insights
Victron Energy – System Control
“On sites like this, success really comes down to coordination. When inverter behaviour, load requirements, and system limits are aligned from the start, everything just behaves as expected — even as conditions change. That’s what makes commissioning smoother and long-term operation more predictable.”
– Julian Coxon, Victron Energy
Discover Energy Systems – Battery Integration
“With low-voltage battery systems, clear communication between the battery and inverter is critical. Closed-loop control keeps everything operating within defined limits, which improves reliability and takes a lot of uncertainty out of commissioning and ongoing use.”
– Matthew Campbell, Discover Energy Systems
The Outcome
- Seamless transition from a single-purpose pumping system to a multi-use energy platform
- Reliable three-phase power across residential, irrigation, and agricultural loads
- Clean commissioning with only minor adjustments
- A professional system that operates predictably and supports long-term serviceability
“We already had solar on site, but it was only doing one job. This system lets us use it across the whole property and gives us reliable three-phase power where we need it. It’s taken a lot of uncertainty out of running the place.”
– Vineyard Manager, Regional Victoria
The client was highly satisfied with both system performance and presentation, and Deacam remains the ongoing service partner for the site.
Key Takeaways for Installers
- Pre-engineered systems can significantly reduce on-site complexity when designed properly
- Closed-loop communication between batteries and inverters is critical for predictable operation
- Collaborative design between installer, distributor, and manufacturer pays dividends at commissioning
- The right partners remove uncertainty — and uncertainty is what causes problems on site