Powering up Tarneit

Tarneit is now home to one of Victoria’s first neighbourhood batteries, which will store solar energy for use by the local community.

The completion of the battery was celebrated today at Gleneagles Reserve in Tarneit, where Powercor installed the battery, which will store 120kW (or 360kWh) of power to directly service an estimated 170 customers.

A neighbourhood battery is a large battery, usually the size of an electric car like a Nissan Leaf, that is connected to the same powerlines as your home. The battery stores energy produced by the sun during the day to be available at night when residents need it.

Neighbourhood batteries play an important role in more evenly distributing energy generated by solar so that once it is captured, it can be used by the community.

Tarneit and other Wyndham City suburbs have some of the highest rates of solar use on the Powercor network.

Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Susan McIntyre, said: “Not everyone who wants to use solar power can afford a personal battery. Providing a battery like this for the community to share takes the burden off individual households and allows more people to take part in using renewable energy for a sustainable future.”

Artist 23rd Key was commissioned to paint a mural on the battery and an existing transformer on site. The artwork depicts flora, local animals and wildlife in bright colours to celebrate the potential for renewables to protect our natural environment. Wyndham City Council was pleased to provide best practice process and curatorial support to commission this artwork.

In addition to Wyndham City’s rooftop solar program, one of the largest rollouts of solar by a local council in Australia, the installation of this neighbourhood battery will help Wyndham grow as a smart, sustainable and liveable City.

Cr Peter Maynard joined the Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, the Member for Tarneit Dylan Wight and Powercor CEO Tim Rourke at the event.

For more information about the battery, visit: www.powercor.com.au/network-planning-and-projects/major-