Community batteries
What is a community battery?
A community battery is a battery that can enable greater use of solar energy generated in the local community, enabling savings for local residents.
Community batteries can store solar energy generated in local neighbourhoods, enable lower electricity costs for consumers, and support the continued growth of low-emissions household solar on the electricity network.
The community batteries installed by Endeavour Energy are connected directly to the electricity network. Some of Endeavour Energy’s community batteries are mounted onto electricity poles, and all others sit on the ground.
How does a community battery work?
The high uptake of rooftop solar has seen households generate large amounts of energy during the day but it’s also created a new challenge. The excess solar has created congestion on the electricity network – a bit like when there’s too many cars causing a traffic jam, making it slow to get to your destination. It's the same when there’s too much solar in the electricity grid. It can create a backlog on the electricity grid.
A community battery puts this excess energy to good use. It works a bit like an energy bank where it can store excess solar generated by rooftop panels and then share it back with the community.
Are community batteries safe?
Safety underpins everything we do at Endeavour Energy, and we maintain the same commitment to safety for community batteries as we do for all our network assets. Community batteries operate within Endeavour Energy’s network. L ike all our assets, community batteries undergo stringent engineering and design approvals before installation. Additionally, Endeavour Energy has emergency response plans in place to handle any unforeseen situations.
Are community batteries noisy?
Our community batteries comply with NSW rules, regulations and guidelines for noise. Noise from the batteries comes from the air conditioning units attached to them.
Potential noise impacts to the community have been assessed as part of our location review process. Noise assessments are conducted before installation to ensure compliance with noise guidelines. For batteries installed on the ground, we have installed noise-reducing equipment to minimise impact.
I don’t have solar. Can I still participate?
Absolutely. Even if you don’t have solar panels, you will be able to join the community battery as long as you live in an eligible battery catchment area.
I rent the property, can I still participate and benefit from the community battery?
Yes. Community batteries are open to customers regardless of whether you own or rent the premises at the supply address.