Evoenergy has partnered with the ACT Government to install three neighbourhood batteries in Casey, Dickson and Fadden.
These batteries mark a new step in innovating our electricity network in Canberra and follow the successful integration of batteries in energy networks in other areas of Australia.
Supported by The Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program, the batteries are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Supporting solar growth and network stability
With over 30% of Canberra households and businesses now having rooftop solar, our network can be put under pressure from high volumes of solar exports. This can lead to voltage fluctuations and congestion – similar to a traffic jam on a busy road.
Neighbourhood batteries help absorb this excess energy, easing strain on our network and improving the quality of electricity supply.
How neighbourhood batteries work
A neighbourhood battery is another tool in our energy network and this pilot project will provide valuable insights into how battery technology could be best used in the future.
Each battery, similar in size to a large single-door fridge-freezer, will be installed next to an existing electrical substation in Casey, Dickson and Fadden. These batteries are designed to store surplus solar energy during the day and release it back into the network when demand is higher.
Households and businesses in Casey, Dickson and Fadden will not experience any changes to their electricity supply. However, the neighbourhood is expected to benefit from:
- increased network capacity, enabling more solar connections,
- improved quality of power supply during peak demand times, and
- enhanced management of demand on the network.
-
Battery appearance
Each battery is similar in size to a large single-door fridge-freezer and will be installed in a configuration of either a single battery, or two batteries back-to-back on a concrete pad. A switchboard will control the batteries, and they will be wrapped with artwork commissioned from local artists.
-
Safety
The batteries selected for this pilot are designed, built and tested to meet stringent safety standards. They are considered as safe as any other asset in the electricity network.
Evoenergy will be responsible for cleaning, maintaining, and operating the batteries, which are equipped with remote monitoring capabilities to track performance and ensure safe operation.
Safety risks have been effectively managed through careful design, installation and ongoing maintenance. We have also worked closely with ACT Environmental Planning and ACT Fire and Rescue to ensure safety and regulatory requirements are met.
While you shouldn’t touch the batteries to avoid damage or vandalism, it is safe to be near them. They are enclosed with protective casings and feature built-in safety mechanisms.
-
Noise management
The batteries emit a low-level hum, similar to the sound of a household refrigerator. All units have undergone noise assessments and comply with ACT Environmental Planning Authority guidelines.
Noise is primarily generated during charging cycles and from air conditioning units that regulate battery temperature. We have carefully considered community impacts when selecting battery locations and will use acoustic barriers where needed to redirect sound away from nearby homes.
-
Selection of battery sites
Battery sites have been selected based on proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and local constraints. Installing batteries near distribution substations allows them to integrate with the network and manage electricity generated by the neighbourhood.
The exact locations of the batteries in each suburb are:
- Casey: John Crawford Crescent Playground on John Crawford Street
- Dickson: opposite the Common Ground Complex on Hawdon Place
- Fadden: near the Fadden Primary School on Hanlon Crescent
-
Community engagement
Across April and May 2025, we held an online information session, as well as in-person sessions at Common Ground in Dickson, and at John Crawford Crescent Playground in Casey. We shared more about the neighbourhood battery project, answered questions from the community, and asked for preferences on the type of artwork to be displayed on the battery wraps.
-
Installation timeline
Installation at each site is expected to take 3-6 weeks, including foundation work and cabling to connect the battery to existing infrastructure.
Batteries will be manufactured and tested off-site before being delivered and lifted into place. Once installed, the site will be restored to a similar condition. Commissiong and testing will follow, with all batteries expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Some customers will experience a planned electricity interruption to allow our crews to safely connect the batteries. If your property is impacted by this, you will receive a letter in the mail in advance with details about the interruption.
-
Battery operation during power outages
In the event of an electricity outage, the battery will automatically shut down. This is a safety measure to protect Evoenergy crews working to restore power. Sending live electricity into the network during repairs could pose serious risks, so the battery remains offline until power is restored.