Leading the charge for Canberra
Evoenergy has partnered with the ACT Government to install three neighbourhood batteries in:
This is one of the first neighbourhood battery projects in Canberra, following the successful integration in energy networks in other areas of Australia.
The batteries are expected to be installed and operational before the end of 2025.
This project is partially funded by the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
Why do we need new technology?
The high uptake of rooftop solar panels has seen households generate large amounts of energy during the day, sometimes creating excess solar energy.
Right now, around 30% of households and businesses in Canberra have rooftop solar panels. This means a high volume of solar energy is fed back to the grid on sunny days. Under certain conditions, this can cause voltage issues, affecting the quality of electricity supply to your home or business.
Excess solar generation can create congestion on our electricity network – a bit like when there are too many cars causing a traffic jam, making it slow to get to your destination. It can mean too much electricity is being fed back into the network compared to the amount we use and can impact how our network operates.
As our community's use of solar energy grows, Evoenergy is investigating new technology to manage the changes in our network.
How does the battery work?
A neighbourhood battery is another tool in our energy network.
This pilot project will provide valuable insights into how this technology could be best used in the future to benefit both the community and the energy network in the ACT.
Three batteries, similar in size to a single-door fridge-freezer, will be installed next to an existing electrical substation.
These substations help manage energy distribution to the connected households. Installing a battery close to the distribution substation enables the battery to work efficiently within the existing network and enables solar power connected to the substation to feed into the battery.
Individual households and businesses in Casey, Dickson, and Fadden will not see any impact on their daily electricity use, but the whole community is expected to benefit from:
- increased network capacity, enabling more solar connections,
- improved quality of power supply during peak times, and
- enhanced management of demand on the grid.
More information
Engaging with the communities in Casey, Fadden, and Dickson is a priority leading up to the construction of the batteries. More information is available for each suburb:
Keep an eye on these pages for more updates.
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What will the battery look like?
The individual batteries being installed are similar in size to a single-door fridge-freezer and are generally installed in a configuration of three batteries back-to-back. They will be on a concrete pad, and a switchboard will control the batteries. We will engage the community in designing the visual covering for the batteries.
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How safe are the batteries?
The batteries selected for the trial are designed, built and tested to stringent requirements. They are considered as safe as any other electricity network asset.
Evoenergy will be responsible for cleaning, maintaining, and operating the batteries, which are equipped with remote monitoring capabilities that allow us to monitor their performance.
The batteries can be automatically disconnected if needed to safeguard the local electrical network.
While risks with any technology cannot be eliminated, they have been effectively managed through appropriate design, installation, and operational and maintenance practices.
Additionally, we have worked closely with ACT Environmental Planning and ACT Fire and Rescue to ensure that these sites meet all safety and regulatory requirements.
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Are the batteries loud?
Like many electrical appliances and infrastructure, the batteries will emit a low-level noise like a ‘hum’ - similar to the noise that a refrigerator or freezer makes.
All batteries have undergone a noise assessment and comply with the ACT Environment Planning Authorities guidelines.
We take the same approach to constructing network equipment. We assess potential noise impacts and implement any necessary controls to reduce the impact on residents.
Noise is primarily produced during charging cycles and from air conditioning units that maintain the battery's temperature.
Community impacts have been carefully considered when selecting battery locations, and acoustic barriers to redirect the sound away from houses will be used where required.
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Why does the battery need to be installed near a substation?
The site for each battery has been chosen based on the location of other electrical assets and other local constraints.
Installing a battery close to the distribution substation enables it to work within the existing network, allowing the battery to manage electricity generated from neighbouring customers efficiently.
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Is it safe for kids to play on the battery during normal operations?
While we don’t encourage kids to play on the battery to avoid damage, it's safe to be near it while it is running. It is designed with safety features to ensure it can operate safely alongside the public and the environment. These batteries are enclosed in protective casings with built-in mechanisms to prevent accidents.
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How long will they take to install?
The physical installation of the battery is expected to take 3-6 weeks at each site. This involves foundation work and cabling installation from the battery to the existing infrastructure.
The battery will be manufactured and tested off-site before being delivered and lifted into place onto the prepared foundation. The site will then be returned to its existing, or better, condition.
After installation, testing and commissioning will be undertaken before the battery is operational.
All the batteries are expected to be fully installed and operational before the end of 2025.
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If there is a blackout on my street, can I use the power from the battery?
The battery will shut down if there is a blackout on your street. This is a safety precaution for Evoenergy teams working on the powerlines to restore your connection. We do not want to risk sending live current down the line and potentially harming those working to resolve the network issue.