First community battery for NSW South Coast goes ‘live’

Become part of our Shell Cove Community Battery trial here .

Endeavour Energy today launched the first community battery on the NSW South Coast marking a significant milestone in connecting more renewables to the grid while creating cost benefits for customers.

The community battery, one of 54 currently being rolled out across the Endeavour Energy network, will ensure residents can rely on a more sustainable, resilient and cost-effective power supply.

Colin Crisafulli, General Manager, Future Grid & Asset Management, said the pioneering community battery marks a new era of energy savings for customers.

“Endeavour Energy has been providing power to this region for more than 100 years, and as part of the energy transition we are excited to deliver clean, green storage to the South Coast of NSW.

“The Shell Cove Community Battery will help customers save on household electricity costs and reduce their household carbon footprint. Community batteries will also help to lower costs for customers across our entire region by improving the efficiency of the network,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said the Shell Cove battery was the second of many community batteries currently being installed in the Endeavour Energy region with a further eight being delivered in the Campbelltown, Kiama, Liverpool, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly areas.  Additionally, a further 44 batteries are being rolled out across the Endeavour Energy network over the next 18 months as part of the Commonwealth Batteries for Household Solar Program. A further 32 are proposed.

The Mayor of Shellharbour City Council Chris Homer welcomed the battery to Shell Cove.

“We’re thrilled to be taking another major step towards our goal of supporting the community to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Residential electricity is one of the major community emissions sources for Shellharbour City, so we are very encouraged to see Endeavour Energy leading in the supply of clean, renewable and reliable energy for our residents.

“This community battery will allow residents to store locally generated renewable energy from their household solar, and use the power when the sun isn’t shining. Residents without solar power can also participate in the battery. Not only do participating residents get access to locally generated, reliable renewable energy, they also can access cheaper power, and earn more from their solar energy generated,” said Mayor Homer.

Origin Energy will provide the platform for customers to participate in the battery trial. Origin will also orchestrate the energy stored in the battery, including dispatch to the wholesale market, and work with Endeavour Energy to support electricity demand management.

“We’re pleased to be working with Endeavour Energy on this battery project which will provide households in the Shell Cove community the opportunity to save on their energy costs,” Origin’s Executive General Manager – Future Energy & Technology, Tony Lucas, said.

“Community batteries allow people to share in the benefits of battery storage, whether they have solar panels or not, without the upfront costs attached to purchasing a battery for their home. We look forward to people accessing this trial and reaping the benefits that come with harnessing renewable energy,” said Mr Lucas.

Residents living within the Shell Cove trial area are invited to register their interest now at www.endeavourenergy.com.au or by phoning Endeavour Energy on 133 003. Further information on the community battery and trial location is available on the Endeavour Energy website.

For media enquiries, to arrange an interview, photos or video footage please contact:

M Rebecca Hill: 0409 266 248 Rebecca.Hill@endeavourenergy.com.au

Community batteries
A community battery works by storing excess solar not used in a home during the day. This energy is then available for participating customers to use during the evening peak. For customers without solar, excess solar generated within the neighbourhood is stored in the community battery and is available for them to use for a small fee.

Customers rent a portion of the battery for a small fee to virtually store and access neighbourhood solar. Participating customers will receive a rebate on the energy they store and use from the battery.

Community batteries can be a more efficient way of managing supply and demand in the electricity network which can become congested in the evenings. Community batteries avoid unnecessary investment in network infrastructure, lowering costs for all customers.

Shell Cove community battery artwork

The Shell Cove Community Battery and associated electrical assets feature the artwork entitled Turtle Dreaming by Gamilaroi man Daren Dunn. Daren’s artwork responds to the Shellharbour City Council’s Public Art Strategy for Shell Cove, responding to the curatorial themes of earth and sea, connection and place.

Of his artwork Daren said: “There are many different Sea Turtles around our country and the Stingray has its own significance, strength and story. I was given this totem to paint by one of my Elders. He taught me to learn from the life cycles and behaviours of these beautiful creatures and would highlight the many powerful lessons that they have to share. The Turtles and Stingrays painted here have been used to symbolise courage, determination, strength, peace and harmony as we travel and press through life’s journey. I am proud to share and pass on this knowledge” 

About Endeavour Energy

Endeavour Energy is one of Australia’s most efficient networks, powering NSW’s fastest growing economies and sustaining the jobs and lifestyles of 2.7 million Australians, living and working in Central West NSW, the Blue Mountains, Greater Western Sydney, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast of NSW.

Endeavour Energy’s asset base includes 430,000 power poles and street light columns, 202 major substations and 32,600 distribution substations, and integrates renewable energy sources including 250,000 residential solar connections, industrial solar and embedded large-scale batteries.

About Shellharbour Council

Shellharbour City is an expanding urban area along with rural, industrial and commercial land uses. The City encompasses a total land area of 147 square kilometres including beaches, rivers, National and State parks and other significant parklands. With an estimated population of 78,332 (2022), Shellharbour is undergoing significant growth through developments in Shell Cove, Tullimbar, Calderwood and parts of Shellharbour City Centre.

Shellharbour City Council is committed to supporting our community to transition to a zero emissions economy, and to building a resilient and adaptive community for the long-term sustainability of Shellharbour City.

About Origin 

Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) is a leading Australian integrated energy company. Origin is a leading energy retailer with more than 4.5 million customer accounts, approximately 7,000 MW of power generation capacity and is also a large natural gas producer. Origin is the upstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG, its incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips and Sinopec, which supplies natural gas to domestic markets and exports LNG under long term contracts.