The City of Melbourne has switched on the first of its Power Melbourne community batteries as it accelerates towards its target of sourcing all of its energy from renewables by 2030.
The first battery, installed at Council House, will be followed later this year by more batteries at the Boyd Community Hub and at the Library at the Dock
The batteries will initially be linked to a Community Benefit Fund to support local renewable projects.
The pilot phase of the project will run for about 18 months and will test Power Melbourne’s local energy storage model in partnership with Origin Energy – gathering insights to inform the expansion of the battery network and future retail offerings.
With a combined capacity of 1.1MWh – enough for the daily needs of around 70 homes – the three batteries will charge during the day when there is a higher proportion of renewable energy in the grid.
Stored energy will then be released back into the grid when it’s needed most – helping to support the transition to renewable energy.
Each Power Melbourne battery will be brought to life with bespoke artwork, designed by local Melbourne creatives. The first Power Melbourne battery will be adorned with ‘Let’s get energised’ by contemporary artist Mysterious Al – a reflection on the city’s urban and natural forms.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp noted that approximately 83% of City of Melbourne residents live in apartments, without the means to install their own solar panels.
“This is the next step in empowering individuals to access clean, renewable and cheaper energy,” Capp said.
“Power Melbourne will accelerate the city’s transition to renewable energy, while driving new investments and creating jobs.”
Residential solar already has significant momentum in Melbourne, and data from the City shows there are more than 1200 residential systems with a total installed capacity of more than 1.3MW.
City of Melbourne Environment Portfolio Lead Rohan Leppert said storage was the “the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to providing residents and businesses with access to affordable renewable energy.”
In addition to its 2030 all renewables target, Melbourne also has a target to achieve zero net emissions by 2040.
