Community Batteries

To support the renewable energy transition, Ergon Energy Network and Energex are connecting community batteries to the local electricity network in 12 different communities across Queensland.

This is a pilot for the further small-scale, local network-connected batteries, building on the lessons learnt from the Ipswich Neighbourhood Battery Trial.

The communities where we are currently installing each battery include the Cairns North, Caloundra, Caboolture, Kallangur, Griffin, The Gap, Newmarket, Nundah, Coorparoo, Moorooka, Birkdale, and Pimpama. We also expect to install more batteries like these in the future.

The community batteries are being funded through the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Community Batteries for Household Solar - Delivery of Election Commitments Stream 1 program. The communities were determined by the funding guidelines.

This rollout will see one 90kW/180kWh ground-mounted battery in each community. They will allow more solar energy to be sent back into the grid, while the suns shining, storing it for use locally when electricity demand is high.

As well as putting downward pressure on electricity costs, by supporting the take up of rooftop solar, the batteries will help cut greenhouse gas emissions, and we're also looking into other community benefit sharing opportunities.

We’ll be engaging with stakeholders, and with the community on the sites, and the community benefits.

Want to know more?

Take a look at our introduction slides for a map of the locations, more on the battery technology itself and other considerations.

This (and the Neighbourhood Batteries) is just one the ways we are enabling the transition to a low carbon energy future and, ultimately, helping to keep electricity prices down for all. You can also read more about our Local Network Battery Plan, which is already seeing utility-scale batteries connected to our networks across Queensland, and how batteries are becoming an essential tool for managing the renewable energy flowing into the electricity network.

You can also take a look at these frequently asked questions about our battery program.

Or REGISTER YOUR INTEREST for updates, or pop us a note in the QUESTION-FEEDBACK tabs below.