Solar and battery energy hubs provide resilience as storms and fires cause havoc on grid

Only days after strong winds and lightning strikes caused thousands of power outages across Victoria, the state is celebrating the completion of its $7.5 million Energy Resilience Solutions (ERS) program, which has rolled out 24 community energy resilience hubs around the state.

Victoria’s minister for energy and resources Lily D’Ambrosio announced the completion of the ERS program this week with a visit to the recently completed energy resilience hub in the town of Cockatoo, east of Melbourne.

The Cockatoo energy resilience hub consists of a 13.6kW solar array, a 52kWh battery, as well as a backup generator, supplying power to three buildings which will offer local residents a safe place to shelter.

Each hub is equipped with solar panels, batteries, and generators, which are capable of providing backup power during a severe storm event to ensure essential services keep running during prolonged power outages.

The aim of these hubs is to ensure residents still have a way to access essential services such as cook meals, access hot water, charge electronic devices, and access important information.

It is also hoped that the hubs will help to reduce reliance on diesel generators as a primary backup tool, lowering energy costs and emissions for local councils.

The energy resilience hubs have been rolled out in areas at particularly high risk of severe weather events, like the Yarra Ranges, Gippsland, Dandenong Ranges, and along the Great Ocean Road.

According to the government, the hubs have already begun to benefit local communities, with a number of systems kicking in during the February storms of 2024 – such as in the towns of Emerald and Gembrook.

In addition to the energy resilience hubs rolled out across the state, the Victorian government is also deploying backup systems in the town of Omeo, located on the Great Alpine Road, and town-wide microgrids in Mallacoota and Corryong through the Community Microgrids and Sustainable Energy Program.

Victoria’s ‘100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program’ also includes funding for batteries that can power publicly accessible buildings during grid outages.