First community battery in western Sydney now “open to rent” by residents

New South Wales distribution network company Endeavour Energy has launched western Sydney’s first community battery and will now invite residents to join the program to ‘rent’ a portion of the battery for $15 per month.

Endeavour says the Bungarribee Community Battery is designed to change the way that residents consume and store energy – and is expected to lead to “substantial” cost savings and a more stable energy grid during peak times.

The area has been chosen because of its high adoption of solar power, but the battery will also benefit residents without rooftop solar, including renters, those who live in apartment blocks, or those who cannot afford the currently high costs of solar and batteries.

The trial program operated with Origin will allow customers to ‘rent’ a portion of the battery for $15 per month, and will then receive payments for the energy they store and use.

Endeavour Energy expects that participants in the trial with solar will receive a payment of between $120 and $220 per year, depending on their energy use and solar export, while non-solar customers will receive a payment of $80 to $120 per year.

“The Bungarribee Community Battery is a first for Western Sydney but the first of many more to come,” said Guy Chalkley, Endeavour Energy’s CEO.

“It is an exciting innovation that will see our customers both be a part of, and benefit from the energy transition, whether they have rooftop solar or not, and whether they own their home or are renting.

“The installation of community batteries supports our target of becoming climate positive by 2040 and is part of our transition to a modern, clean energy grid that meets the changing needs of our customers with customers able to generate, store and share their energy.”

Blacktown City mayor Tony Bleasdale says he is hoping for more community batteries to be built across the area.

Residents living within the Bungarribee trial area are invited to register their interest now at www.endeavourenergy.com.au or by phoning Endeavour Energy on 133 718. Further information on the community battery and trial location is available on the Endeavour Energy website.