Storage

Victoria backs more neighbourhood batteries with $6.6 million investment

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The Victorian government has committed another $6.6 million to support the installation of more neighbourhood-scale batteries across the state as part of its continuing effort to drive down energy costs.

The new funding marks the third round of the government’s 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program which, as the name suggests, aims to install at least 100 neighbourhood batteries capable of soaking up excess renewable energy and dispatching it when it is needed most and electricity prices are at the highest.

Grant applications for the third round opened on Tuesday, July 15, and close on September 15, with grants of up to $400,000 available per battery.

This third round is expected to bring the total number of community batteries to well over 100, with the program already delivering 90 neighbourhood batteries across the state.

In addition to batteries focused on soaking up excess renewable energy from neighbourhood solar systems, the program has also funded a number of emergency backup batteries at publicly accessible buildings to support communities through power outages.

Housing Choices Australia – which creates safe and affordable housing for disadvantaged people – received six neighbourhood batteries as part of previous rounds, situated at six different housing sites, helping to lower energy bills and lower rents for their tenants.

Funding is open to all, including not-for-profit organisations, local government authorities, co-operatives, education institutions, public entities, and private sector businesses and agencies.

And while funding is limited to up to $400,000 per battery, multi-battery applications are welcome. Eligible projects include those delivering benefits to the electricity network, local community, and energy resilience such as community backup systems which supply power to publicly accessible buildings during grid outages.

For more information visit energy.vic.gov.au/grants/neighbourhood-batteries/100-neighbourhood-batteries-program-grants

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

Joshua S Hill

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

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