Harness The Sun With Community Batteries

Welcome aboard our campaign to help communities harness the sun and store their local energy – for a brighter, greener future.

We’re inviting everyone to be inspired, learn, and test your knowledge of community batteries and their role in the renewable energy transition.

YEFs core values – trust, creativity, leadership, and collaboration – are embodied by community batteries. This pioneering technology goes beyond technical solutions fostering trust among stakeholders by involving communities, governments, and industries. They can raise awareness about energy and electrification, providing communities with a shared asset in the fight against climate change and put downward pressure on energy costs and grid instability.

We encourage everyone to take our interactive quiz!

 

Test yourself and have your say on community batteries while raising awareness about the renewable energy transition – Find out if you are a Community Battery Champion!

All respondents are automatically entered into the running for a sustainable prize – a 6-month subscription to Lug + Carrie E-Bike rental service.

Join us in this transformative journey towards a sustainable Melbourne.

Results are scored and given a unique title. Share your score with your friends and family!

Learn more about community batteries by clicking the link below.

The centrepiece of this campaign is our beautiful tram launched as part of Yarra Trams‘ 2023 Community Partnership Program.

The tram artwork, titled ‘Set the controls to harness the sun’, was illustrated by local artist, Hayden Dewar and depicts humanoid characters called “solarquins”, which are powered by the sun as they care for the planet. You may recognise this artwork from Victoria’s first inner-urban community battery, installed in 2022 in Fitzroy North.

The tram was designed by a team at local consultancy, Ellis Jones, who create social impact through award-winning research, strategy, communications, and design.

Urban areas pose both an opportunity and a challenge when it comes to reducing carbon emissions.

Neighbourhoods and local communities are the perfect candidate for innovative technologies decarbonisation technologies and strategies, such as community batteries and widespread electrification.

The decisions that communities make can directly affect ambition and change behaviours, providing a landscape to showcase the power of electrification and create resilient, people-centred places.

YEF has become a trailblazer in the realm of community-scale batteries, a technology that doesn’t just serve as an energy storage solution, but actively involves and benefits the community. This cutting-edge technology has now gathered recognition and financial backing from both Federal and State governments.

Your community is your home, and while climate change can incredibly overwhelming, working towards an electric future within your locality is realistic and achievable. You truly can make a difference by thinking global, acting local.

Things you can do:

• Install solar panels on your roof.
• Get off gas and upgrade your appliances to efficient, electric alternatives.
• Talk with your neighbours and local council about community batteries and public EV chargers.
• Sign up to 100% GreenPower.
• Take our quiz to test your knowledge, have your say, and find out if you are a Community Battery Champion!

Pioneering Change with Local Governments

Local governments are increasingly drawn to the potential of community batteries. While interest is high, the road to widespread adoption isn’t without its challenges. YEF stands shoulder-to-shoulder with numerous local governments and communities, primarily in Victoria, to build capacity and overcome barriers. Together, we’re reshaping the future of energy.

Find out more about our community battery services.

Imagine a world where:

• The transition to renewable energy is more accessible and achievable.
  
• Renewable electricity seamlessly flows between homes and businesses.
  
• Solar energy can be shared efficiently across distribution networks.
  
• Taking local climate action becomes a source of positivity and affirmation.
  
• Local governments reach and exceed their climate targets through innovative solutions.

By sharing stored energy locally, communities can develop greater energy resilience, optimise their electricity distribution, and even promote sustainable practices.

Not only do community batteries help balance the fluctuations in peak electricity demand and supply but they also cultivate a sense of empowerment and interdependence among residents.

As a shared asset, they can strengthen social bonds, support renewable energy adoption, and lay the foundations for a more decentralised and self-sufficient energy system.

Join Us in Making a Difference

You have the power to shape the future. Here’s what you can do:

• Spread the word about community batteries among your peers, networks, communities, family, and local councils.
• Let curiosity guide you – explore our online resources, ask questions about community batteries, and engage with experts.
• Dive deeper into our campaign by visiting YEF’s webpages.
• Participate in our quiz to test your knowledge and discover how you can make an impact.
  All respondents are automatically entered into the running to win a 6-month subscription to Lug + Carrie E-Bike rental service.
• Take the next step by embracing renewable energy in your own life – consider installing solar panels or upgrading to energy-efficient appliances.

Here’s how you can get involved with our campaign:

1. Hop Onboard: Take a ride on the YEF Community Battery wrapped tram and explore our website to learn more about the technology its benefits.
2. Engage Locally: Attend community workshops and events hosted by your local Council, Yarra Energy Foundation, or other industry experts. Discover how you can support the growth of clean energy in your neighbourhood.
3. Spread the Word: Share the news of this campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people know about community batteries, the stronger their impact will be.
4. Take Our Quiz: Take part in our interactive quiz to test your knowledge and have your say on community batteries in your neighbourhood! Results are scored and given a unique title – Find out if you are a Community Battery Champion!

By getting involved and taking action, you’re helping us:

• Increase online engagement and raise awareness about community batteries and sustainable energy solutions.
• Build a valuable database of insights from our quiz, helping us tailor projects and approach potential Council partners.
• Shape this data into reports and media releases to further develop the community battery space.
• Establish direct connections with communities, fostering understanding and trust.

Join the movement towards a more sustainable future for yourself and your community. Let’s embark on this journey together, making a lasting impact on our environment and communities.

Take the First Step.

Complete our quiz.

Create your own user feedback survey

We would once again like to thank the sponsors and partners that have worked on this campaign with us.

• Yarra Trams – The main campaign sponsor providing in-kind advertising in the form of a sponsored tram wrap as part of their 2023 Community Partnerships Program.
• Ellis Jones – Designer
• Hayden Dewar – Artist
• Lug + Carrie – Sponsor

Thanks again to all our partners and sponsors, without whom this campaign would not exist.

For inquiries and partnership opportunities, please contact:

Lloyd Heathfield

lloyd.heathfield@yef.org.au

+61 3 7037 6040