$120 million to roll out community batteries across Australia
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $120 million in funding for Round 1 of the Community Batteries Funding Program.
The program will support community batteries across Australia to reduce energy bills, cut emissions and ease pressure on the grid. ARENA was allocated $171 million to deliver at least 342 batteries.
The $120 million for Round 1 will be split equally across 2 streams:
1. Distributed Network Service Providers (DNSP)
2. applicants that are not DNSPs.
This round is now closed, with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) now assessing applications. DCCEEW will roll out an initial 58 community batteries.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said community batteries represent the next step in optimising distributed energy resources in the electricity grid. 'Not everyone is able to install rooftop solar, but by storing electricity close to the point of consumer demand, we can reduce network costs and alleviate constraints in areas with high solar penetration. This will ultimately reduce electricity costs for all consumers.'
ARENA will be hosting webinar information sessions on the Community Batteries Funding Program on April 12 and 18.
[Photo: United Energy]
Read more
Community Batteries Funding Round 1 ARENA
Webinar information sessions ARENA
Grants to install Community Batteries Business.gov.au
Media release ARENA
