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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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Community batteries

A community battery is a locally shared battery within a community that enables storage of excess rooftop solar generated electricity, which can be used at a later time. Batteries enable the community to use the stored electricity instead of importing it from the grid. They are about the size of a 4WD and store the equivalent of around 25-45 average household batteries.

Community batteries support renewable generation by providing more energy storage to deliver secure and affordable energy for Australian households and businesses.
Community batteries:

  • lower electricity bills
  • reduce pressure on the electricity grid for the broader community
  • contribute to lower emissions
  • store solar energy for later use or sharing and support further solar installations
  • allow households that cannot install solar panels to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy through shared community storage
  • acts a grid-stabiliser by absorbing excess energy that might otherwise cause voltage spikes in the grid.

How do community batteries work?

Infographic of how do community batteries work

One half shows a few solar and non-solar homes during sunlight, connected to the grid.  The solar homes direct their excess solar energy to a community battery which is also connected to the grid.  The other half shows the same houses at night-time, drawing on energy from the community battery. The community battery can also export and receive energy from the grid.

ELECTRICITY IS STORED IN A COMMUNITY BATTERY

Community batteries support renewable generation by providing more energy storage to deliver secure and affordable energy for Australians.

Community batteries can:

  • lower electricity bills
  • reduce pressure on the electricity grid for the broader community
  • store solar energy for later use or sharing
  • support further solar installations
  • allow non-solar households to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy
  • act as a grid stabiliser by absorbing excess energy produced from solar panels during the day.

ELECTRICITY PULLED FROM THE COMMUNITY BATTERY

When needed, homes pull electricity from the community battery. Homes without solar panels can also draw energy from the community battery.

Individual household usage is tracked by a smart meter, which is reflected in household energy bills.

BENEFITS FOR THE POWER GRID

The community battery absorbs excess electricity produced from solar panels during the day and provides a steady supply of electricity when there is high demand.

The grid can provide electricity when the battery is low.

Community Batteries for Household Solar program

The $200 million Community Batteries for Household Solar program will enable Australians to store affordable solar energy for use during peak times, and to share excess power with other households in their area.

Successful applicants

Successful applicants for the $29m program administered by Business Grants Hub to deliver a subset of the 400 batteries (Streams 1 & 2) have now been announced.

Applicant Details Location State Grant Amount (kWh) capacity
ENDEAVOUR ENERGY NETWORK MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Bidwill NSW $500,000 500
ENDEAVOUR ENERGY NETWORK MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Blaxland NSW $500,000 The proposed fleet includes 4 individual batteries with 740 kWh of energy storage capacity.
AUSGRID FINANCE PTY LTD Bondi / Bondi Beach NSW $500,000 240
AUSGRID FINANCE PTY LTD Breakfast Point / Cabarita NSW $500,000 240
ENDEAVOUR ENERGY NETWORK MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Cabramatta NSW $500,000 The proposed fleet includes 28 individual batteries with 2240 kWh of energy storage capacity.
AUSGRID FINANCE PTY LTD Cammeray NSW $500,000 240
ENDEAVOUR ENERGY NETWORK MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Dapto NSW $500,000 The proposed fleet is a suite of 13 individual batteries with 1040 kWh of energy storage capacity.
ESSENTIAL ENERGY Goulburn NSW $500,000 500
ENDEAVOUR ENERGY NETWORK MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Hobartville NSW $500,000 The proposed fleet is a suite of 11 individual batteries with 880 kWh of energy storage capacity.
ESSENTIAL ENERGY Leeton NSW $500,000 500
ESSENTIAL ENERGY Maloneys Beach NSW $500,000 500
AUSGRID FINANCE PTY LTD Narara NSW $500,000 240
AUSGRID FINANCE PTY LTD North Epping NSW $500,000 240
ENDEAVOUR ENERGY NETWORK MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Warrawong NSW $500,000 The proposed fleet is a suite of 9 individual batteries with 720 kWh of energy storage capacity.
AUSGRID FINANCE PTY LTD Warriewood NSW $500,000 240
ENERGEX LIMITED Birkdale QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Caboolture QLD $447,892 180
ERGON ENERGY CORPORATION LIMITED Cairns North QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Caloundra QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Coorparoo QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Griffin QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Kallangur QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Moorooka QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Newmarket QLD $447,892 180
NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL Noosaville QLD $500,000 360
ENERGEX LIMITED Nundah QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED Pimpama QLD $447,892 180
ENERGEX LIMITED The Gap - (suburb in the Brisbane local government area) QLD $447,892 180
Department for Energy and Mining Edwardstown SA $500,000 405
Department for Energy and Mining Magill SA $500,000 405
TASMANIAN NETWORKS PTY LTD Howrah TAS $500,000 250
TASMANIAN NETWORKS PTY LTD Shorewell Park  TAS $500,000 250
JEMENA ELECTRICITY NETWORKS (VIC) LTD Alphington VIC $500,000 360
JEMENA ELECTRICITY NETWORKS (VIC) LTD Bellfield - Melbourne (suburb in the City of Banyule local government area) VIC $500,000 360
MERRI-BEK CITY COUNCIL Brunswick VIC $500,000 500
UNITED ENERGY DISTRIBUTION PTY LIMITED Carrum Downs VIC $500,000 360
JEMENA ELECTRICITY NETWORKS (VIC) LTD Coburg VIC $500,000 360
JEMENA ELECTRICITY NETWORKS (VIC) LTD Flemington VIC $500,000 360
MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE COUNCIL Flinders VIC $500,000 360
POWERCOR AUSTRALIA LTD Maldon VIC $500,000 270
Yarra Energy Foundation Limited Richmond VIC $500,000 360
MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL ( CITY OF MELBOURNE ) Southbank VIC $500,000 500
BRIMBANK CITY COUNCIL Sunshine / Sunshine West / Sunshine North / Albion / Ardeer VIC $500,000 500
INDIGO POWER LTD. Yarra Junction VIC $497,450 280
Electricity Networks Corporation Bayswater WA $500,000 400
Electricity Networks Corporation Coogee WA $500,000 400
Electricity Networks Corporation Dianella WA $500,000 400
Electricity Networks Corporation Kinross WA $500,000 400
Electricity Networks Corporation Port Kennedy WA $500,000 400
Electricity Networks Corporation Stratton WA $500,000 400

Applicant Details Location State Grant Amount (kWh) capacity
Hepburn Community  Wind Park Co-Operative Limited Leonards Hill VIC $500,000 500
GENI.ENERGY LIMITED Narrabri NSW $500,000 360
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Last updated: 30 May 2023

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.