Ausgrid has announced that it is partnering with the Federal Government to deliver six new community batteries for Sydney and Central Coast communities.
The projects are being jointly funded and planned in partnership with Ausgrid and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program.
The batteries will be installed in Bondi, Cabarita, Cammeray, Narara, North Epping, and Warriewood.
The grant, awarded by Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, aims to lower electricity bills and emissions, support storage of excess solar energy and reduce pressure on the grid.
Community batteries are a relatively new concept in Australia. Ausgrid began trialling the technology solution in 2021 after launching its first community battery in Beacon Hill, with the learnings from this trial to be injected into the deployment of the six co-funded sites.
These batteries harness and store excess solar power from local homes, allowing more renewable energy into the grid while also preparing the grid for more EV charging. Batteries can also help apply downward pressure on energy prices by reducing peak demand and supporting the use of renewable energy.
Ausgrid CEO, Marc England, said this grant aims to put community energy at the forefront for Australian businesses and households.
“The Federal Government’s commitment to deliver 400 community batteries across Australia will play a part in the low-cost transition of our energy system. Ausgrid is committed to continuing to modernise the grid and meet the demands of the rapidly changing energy market by delivering six more batteries within our network,” Mr England said.
“We have been consulting with communities to determine the best location for the batteries within these suburbs and will continue to work in collaboration throughout all stages of this project.”
Community batteries are an incredibly useful tool to help solve local power quality issues and network constraints while future-proofing the network. These batteries are greener for the grid and visible symbols of the transition toward net zero.
Uniquely placed to increase communities’ use of solar energy, community batteries allow more customers to install solar and charge their electric vehicles while also delivering services to the wider energy market.
Ausgrid will provide an online information hub to show how each battery contributes to the local community and will continue to seek feedback from communities as these solutions mature.
