We’re installing pole-top batteries across 10 locations in our electricity distribution network. These batteries will be installed on new and existing power poles. They will store excess energy generated by local roof-top solar panels during the day and then use this excess energy during evening peak demand periods to support households.
Pole-top batteries are a type of energy storage system specifically designed for communities. They are similar to domestic home batteries.
This innovative technology stores any excess energy generated by local roof-top solar and our electricity network during low-demand periods (typically during the day). This stored energy is then distributed to the local community in high-demand periods, such as during the evening and in summer.
Pole-top batteries provide a safe, reliable and sustainable power supply for all residents and businesses, regardless of whether they have solar panels on their property.
In late August, we’ll be installing the first of these batteries in Traralgon and the remaining batteries over the coming months. Each installation is expected to take one day to complete and another day to commission the batteries – this means, turn them on and make sure they’re working as they should.
The pole-top batteries will be installed on existing or new power poles using specially designed brackets for easy installation and minimal disruption to the community.
For the safety of our workers, we’ll need to turn the power off to customers nearby while we install and commission the batteries.
If you’re part of the outage area, you will get a letter or SMS from us about the outage, depending on your preferred method of communication provided to us by your electricity retailer. To get SMS updates about planned outages, make sure your electricity retailer has your current mobile number and nominate SMS as your preferred method of communication.
While we’re working on power poles on local nature strips, traffic management will be in place to safely guide pedestrians and road users around the work area.
This may involve lane closures with traffic controllers stopping and starting traffic and pedestrian detours in residential areas.
Like many electrical appliances, the batteries emit a low-level ‘hum’ similar to the noise of a running refrigerator. However, any noise they emit will be within the noise levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
As part of this project’s design, we considered potential impacts to views when selecting locations. The batteries will be installed above eye-level.
This project is funded by the Victoria Government’s 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program, which aims to enhance storage capacity and support Victoria’s transition to renewables. For more information, visit the Department of Energy, Environmental and Climate Action (DEECA)’s website.
Please read our FAQs below. If you still have questions about this project: