Applications for the second round of the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program are now open, expanding to include energy back-up systems that will improve energy reliability for local communities.
The new energy resilience category will help improve the resilience of the communities who install them, helping them maintain an independent power source during emergencies such as storms to cook meals, charge devices and access critical information.
Larger than a household battery but smaller than grid-scale batteries, neighbourhood batteries return power into the hands of local communities – soaking up cheap and clean renewable energy when it is plentiful and dispatching it when it is needed most.
This round will also prioritise projects that provide benefits to diverse, low income and vulnerable households, as well as outer suburbs and regional areas – helping to drive down energy bills for those who need it most.
The funding could enable applicants to establish community hubs with energy back-up systems, such as the 26 sites funded through the Energy Resilience Solutions Program, where communities can access information, hot water and charge their devices during a prolonged power outage caused by extreme weather.
The 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program is open to councils, community groups, businesses, developers and not-for-profits. The new Project Readiness Assessment Tool helps applicants determine whether a neighbourhood battery is the right fit for their community and apply.
This round, the minimum size of each battery is 20kW/40kWh, and the maximum size of each battery is 5MW/20MWh.
Application guidelines are available at energy.vic.gov.au/grants/neighbourhood-batteries.
