By Danielle Kutchel
A Federal Government-supported initiative will see Pearcedale take part in a trial of power pole-mounted batteries.
Known as ‘Electric Avenue’, the community battery project is being rolled out across the United Energy network and will see 30kW (or 66 kWh) community batteries installed on power poles across 40 sites within United Energy’s footprint.
The batteries will help sustain 99.99 per cent power reliability for customers and will store energy for customers to share and use when needed, meaning everyone can access renewable energy whether they have solar panels or not.
During times when demand for electricity is low or when local rooftop solar systems are exporting power into the network, the batteries will charge up, with power from them to be used later in the day during peak periods when solar systems are no longer generating.
The Federal Government has kicked in $4 million for the trial through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said the trial, if successful, could improve the way power networks integrate Australia’s world-leading levels of rooftop solar generation and storage, and strengthen system reliability and security.
“Australia is a world leader in renewable energy, with one in four households adopting rooftop solar and over seven gigawatts of new renewable capacity entering the grid in the last year alone,” Mr Taylor said.
“As this new capacity comes online, it is absolutely critical that we keep our grid reliable and secure.”
Federal Member for Flinders, Greg Hunt, said the trial by United Energy aims to help solve the problem of integrating rooftop solar into the network by providing local storage, which will also help them to manage the network during times of extreme demand.
“The $11 million project will see 40 batteries installed on power poles at strategic places throughout the network. Each battery is capable of more than two hours of output,” Mr Hunt said.
“By managing the batteries, the electricity supplier can reduce the stress on local transformers at peak times, while providing wholesale power at other times.
“This will help ensure more reliable, affordable power for Australians.”
The batteries are expected to last for 15 years.
Customers living on streets supported by the batteries will receive information from their retailer – Simple Energy – about how to draw power from the battery.
According to United Energy, customers will not notice any difference in their electricity supply when the battery is operating.
