Growing battery interest Last Saturday, a large audience in Cooroy heard about the opportunities for installing a community battery in their neighbourhood. “We were really delighted that Mayor Clare Stewart opened the event, and inspired participants with Council’s vision and the way that community batteries link to the Smart Biosphere aspirations of the council,” Zero Emissions Noosa chair Anne Kennedy said. “Already we have some possible hinterland community battery sites being proposed by participants, which we will be following up. We also have a second event happening at The J Noosa tomorrow, from 9-12 and people can still register for that event by going to zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au or phoning 0407 116 105. We expect additional suggestions for coastal locations to come forward from the event tomorrow.” “Storage is absolutely vital for the energy transition, and over the next few years, ZEN Inc. is aiming to deliver a network of 100-200 community batteries throughout the shire. We will definitely need all hands on deck if we are to achieve this goal. “We are awaiting the result of the Noosa Council application for Federal Government grant funding of $500, 000 for the first community battery in Noosaville. Also we are getting ready for further funding opportunities through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which we expect to open shortly. We want to hear from residents who think a community battery might be a good fit in their neighbourhood. We are also keen to hear from people interested in developing business models for the financial sustainability of the technology into the future.”
ZEN Inc. member Mark Purcell outlining “electrifying everything” opportunities. The Cooroy audience heard how community batteries can power up their community’s future with sustainable energy. By storing excess solar energy, these batteries can reduce carbon emissions and increase the hosting capacity of the network, allowing for more rooftop solar. With community bat-
teries, you can put downward pressure on energy bills while also building community action in response to climate change. And that’s not all. Community batteries can also provide backup in times of disaster, and also improve resilience and stabilize the network.
Noosa residents and businesses already love their solar, with over 80MW installed to date. “So there’s lots of excess solar generation during the day that can be stored and released at night,” Ms Kennedy said. “ZEN understands the contribution that community batteries can make in the overall storage outcomes. They are a local and shared storage solution that benefits everyone in a neighbourhood. Cooroy attendees also valued the opportunity to hear of the practical experience from Mark Purcell, an electrical engineer who is passionate to replicate the “electrify everything” strategy of Saul Griffiths from Rewiring Australia.” Community batteries can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and put downward pressure on energy costs, while also enhancing energy security and reliability. “We think community batteries are an exciting opportunity for the Noosa community to work together to build a sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy future for us all,” concluded Ms Kennedy, “and that is a great fit with our Noosa Biosphere.” “We are grateful to have received funding support from the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant program to enable the development of a Business Plan for a Network of Community Batteries in the Noosa LGA for how to make this happen in partnership with communities across Noosa.” To register for the Community Battery event at The J Noosa, from 9-12 on Saturday 25 March, go to zeroemissionsnoosa.com or phone 0407 116 105.
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