Queensland utility plans neighborhood batteries in solar-rich areas

Renew Economy:

Queensland government-owned network company Energex will partner with major gen-tailer Origin Energy to install 35 neighbourhood batteries across Ipswich, one of the state’s top 10 rooftop solar postcodes.

The $10 million initiative will soak up excess solar energy generated by Ipswich’s nearly 10,000 solar households, with the capacity to store the equivalent of nearly 600 rooftop PV systems during the day.

The batteries, which will include 30 power pole-mounted and 5 ground-level systems, will then deploy the stored solar electricity during peak evening periods, helping to lower the cost of energy in the region.

The rollout will kick off in the Ipswich suburbs of Goodna, Booval, and Redbank Plains, with the first of the neighbourhood batteries to be installed in coming weeks.

Energex will install, own and maintain the battery systems, while they will be operated by Origin in the wholesale energy market.

[Sophie Vorrath]

More: Energex and Origin to roll out 35 neighbourhood batteries in solar soaked regional city