Ten neighbourhood street batteries are now operational across AusNet’s electricity distribution network, helping regional communities make better use of rooftop solar and supporting Victoria's transition to a cleaner energy future.
AusNet General Manager Strategy & Regulation, Charlotte Eddy, said these batteries capture excess solar energy generated during the day and feed it back into the network when it's needed most.
“These street batteries are the size of a bar fridge and have been installed on power poles in areas where homes export large amounts of rooftop solar energy to the electricity network.”
“The batteries act like miniature energy banks, storing solar energy during the day and making it available later, helping manage peak electricity use in the local area and creating capacity for more rooftop solar and household electrification,” said Ms Eddy.
Delivered through the Victorian Government's 100 Neighbourhood Battery Program, the street batteries have been installed in Coldstream, Diamond Creek, Ferntree Gully, Heathmont, Knoxfield, Lysterfield, Smiths Beach, Traralgon, Wantirna and Wantirna South. The locations were selected for their high levels of rooftop solar generation.
This program is serving 1,777 households across the ten Victorian locations. Around twenty two percent of homes in these areas have rooftop solar.
“These batteries can power up to 50 homes for two hours after sunset when the grid is operating normally. It also helps maintain consistent voltage levels for more than 100 surrounding homes, supporting greater solar uptake, household electrification and home electric vehicle charging,” said Ms Eddy.
Projects such as this one are helping AusNet plan how to build a smarter, more flexible electricity network for Victoria’s energy transition.
“These batteries allow us to reassess export-constrained areas and increase export limits where possible, helping customers maximise the value of their rooftop solar systems.”
"As more customers install solar, technologies like these will play an increasingly important role in strengthening the network,” said Ms Eddy.
Vision and stills of the street batteries are available here: https://ausnet.mediavalet.com/portals/street-batteries