New South Wales-based distribution network company Ausgrid has installed its third community battery system, and first for the state’s Hunter region, in a trial that allows participants to virtually store their excess rooftop solar power.
The new community battery – made up of Telsa battery packs – was officially unveiled at Cameron Park in Lake Macquarie by Ausgrid late last week, with federal energy minister Chris Bowen in attendance.
The Albanese government promised, itself, to roll out more than 400 community batteries across the nation in the lead up to the federal election in May. Bowen says he believes this particular type of energy storage will increase the uptake of “clean and reliable” energy on the grid.
“I want to congratulate Ausgrid for driving this important initiative and taking a leading role in trialling solutions that will form a big part of the future infrastructure of our energy system,” said Bowen.
“I’d like to see all network providers all electricity companies doing this.”
Ausgrid says the community batteries work by allowing multiple households in the local area to share a storage system for the excess energy generated by rooftop solar panels.
As the below video explains, this basically works by Ausgrid rewarding trial participants with credits for exporting their solar.
Ausgrid chief customer officer Rob Amphlett Lewis says the trial is progressing well, so far, and he’s confident community batteries will transform the way solar is stored and reduce local residents’ energy costs.
“We expect there to be hundreds of these batteries, potentially 1000s, over the coming years and that will really help our network deliver green energy to our customers,” he said.
“Initial findings from our two Sydney-based batteries are promising. They show community batteries can be a viable solution to enabling households to be part of the energy sector transition.”
Member for the Hunter, Dan Repacholi, says the selection of his community to take part in the battery trial is a welcome development for the traditionally coal-based region.
“It is great news that the first battery outside of Sydney is here, right in the Hunter electorate,” he said.
“The Hunter has been the powerhouse of NSW for the last century, and we will continue to be the powerhouse of NSW with projects like this.
“I would encourage residents in Cameron Park take a look at the Battery and see if they are eligible to access the trial,” Repacholi said.
The video below explains more about how the trial works. Click here to register interest or check eligibility.
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
