INDUSTRY NEWS: Innovative Projects in Australia
Virtual Battery Trial in Queensland
Queensland is testing the use of neighbourhood batteries to make better use of solar energy and ease pressure on the power grid. In Ipswich, Origin Energy and Energex are running a trial with 35 neighborhood batteries, including pole-mounted and ground-level units. Residents can opt-in to use a portion of a battery’s storage, making it a “virtual” battery of sorts.
These batteries store extra solar power generated during the day and release it during peak times. The goal is to reduce grid congestion, lower energy costs, and improve how renewable energy is used. This trial is part of a larger effort to support the growing number of rooftop solar systems in the state.
You can read about the program on on Origin’s website. There is also some interesting commentary on this blog page.
Community Hubs with Energy Back-up Systems
In Victoria state, the government has equipped community hubs in 27 towns with solar panels, batteries, and generators to provide backup power during outages. These systems ensure essential services like food heating, device charging, and hot water remain available in emergencies.
Additionally, the Community Microgrid and Sustainable Energy Program is building microgrids in bushfire-prone areas. These systems connect essential services, businesses, and homes to reliable backup power. Residents can check with local councils to see if their community hub is operational during outages.