Ausgrid installs its first power pole-mounted batteries in NSW

Ausgrid, the largest electricity distributor on Australia’s east coast, says it has installed the first power pole-mounted battery in the Hunter Valley city of Maitland.

The installation is the first step in a trial of the technology designed to investigate the viability of such batteries in supporting the larger network during peak demand or high solar export times.

Ausgrid hopes that this trial will complement its larger community battery program.

Three EcoJoule Energy battery units were installed at the top of the power pole, with two more pole-top battery systems to be installed in Newcastle and the Central Coast.

Ausgrid executive general manager of asset management, Junayd Hollis, believes that such pole-top battery systems could avoid the need for more extensive network augmentation that would otherwise be necessary to address network constraints.

“Pole-top batteries will play a crucial role in integrating more renewable energy into the grid,” said Hollis.

“They can store excess energy generated during periods of high production and release it during times of low production or high demand.

“The system will provide localised energy storage and grid support, helping to support more efficient and reliable electrical infrastructure while facilitating the transition to net zero.”

According to the EcoJoule website, the pole-mounted EcoSTORE is a 30kVA/60kWh community energy storage system that can provide extensive grid support features.

These include community storage, voltage support, peak load reduction, Virtual Power Plant Services, and Battery state of charge management and life optimisation