The Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) has received funding from the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program to install three community batteries across Altona, Manor Lakes, and Torquay.

YEF will deploy the batteries in partnership with Diamond Energy, one of Australia’s greenest electricity providers. Diamond Energy will operate the batteries to optimise the value of the energy stored by the community battery through their Virtual Power Plant (VPP) control solution.

As part of the rollout, households in each of the three suburbs will be eligible for a special retail offer from Diamond Energy, with details to be developed through the project.

Community consultation is a top priority for YEF, who will engage nearby communities in each of the suburbs, working closely with prospective landholders, Hobsons Bay City Council (Altona), Wyndham City Council (Manor Lakes), and Barwon Water (Torquay).

Exact locations in each of the suburbs are yet to be finalised and will be subject to further technical assessment, landholder and community consultation.

The batteries will be installed as ‘front-of-meter’ systems, directly connected to the local grid where nearby residential properties are also connected.

While similar to YEF’s Fitzroy North community battery, which was installed in 2022, YEF will be exploring new ways to deliver more value to the grid and communities through the partnership with Diamond Energy.

For project enquiries please email YEF at information@yef.org.au