Community batteries

>With more renewable energy connected to our network every year, storing all that clean energy becomes essential — especially to shift solar power collected during the day to when it’s needed most.

Community batteries help integrate renewable energy into our network and provide a range of services to keep everyone’s power reliable. These batteries can be owned by a distribution network, a local government, private businesses, or not-for-profits.

Community batteries are a new type of electrical asset that started being introduced in Australia 2020. Until then, the attention had been on large scale batteries (100MW or more) or household batteries.

Community batteries provide a role in between  large scale and household energy storage. Connected directly to the low voltage electricity distribution network, they provide benefits to a defined local community.

Neighbourhood batteries will charge at times of the day when there is lower electricity demand. They have two main energy source:

• Large-scale generators (solar, wind, hydro, gas and coal-fired) that is transported and supplied through distribution networks
• Locally-generated energy from rooftop solar systems on homes or buildings when excess power not used

Power from the battery can then be discharged and used later in the day when energy demand is high and solar systems are no longer generating. The peak time when most people use power is typically between 3pm and 9pm, Monday to Friday.

If you intend to connect a community battery to our network, there are some of the things you must confirm before lodging your application, including:

• Proposed load import and export
• The land your battery will be on
• If your main service board must be upgraded.

Our Powerful Neighbours Report outlines the steps you need to connect community batteries to the distribution network, feasibility through to energisation. We recommend that you speak to a registered electrical contractor or consultant as part of your feasibility study.

Our role and services

Once your scope is ready and your land is confirmed, we will conduct a connection study and issue you with a connection agreement. Your CitiPower/Powercor contact will guide you through the process from planning to commissioning. Under this model, the project proponent covers all costs and operations. To get in contact email electricavenue@powercor.com.au 

We are offering a community battery trial network tariff for new community batteries  until June 2026. This tariff, designed for third party-owned batteries with a capacity of less than 240 kVA, and provides an annual net rebate of $1,500 to $2,000 if the battery avoids importing electricity between 4pm and 9pm.

Each year we release commercial opportunities for third parties to support the network. This may include community batteries if they are more cost-effective than traditional upgrades to the poles and wires.

We publish these opportunities and seek proposals through our Flexibility Marketplace.