NSW South Coast gains its first community battery

The NSW South Coast has gained its first community battery thanks to Endeavour Energy.

The Shell Cove battery is the second one to be installed in Endeavour’s region. A further eight batteries are being delivered in the Campbelltown, Kiama, Liverpool, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly areas, and 44 more will be installed over the next 18 months as part of the Commonwealth Batteries for Household Solar Program.

“Endeavour Energy has been providing power to this region for more than 100 years, and as part of the energy transition we are excited to deliver clean, green storage to the South Coast of NSW,” said Colin Crisafulli, General Manager, Future Grid & Asset Management at Endeavour Energy.

“The Shell Cove community battery will help customers save on household electricity costs and reduce their household carbon footprint. Community batteries will also help to lower costs for customers across our entire region by improving the efficiency of the network.”

Endeavour will partner with Origin Energy to facilitate the battery trial, with Origin providing the platform for customers to participate. Origin will also orchestrate the energy stored in the battery, including dispatch to the wholesale market, and work with Endeavour to support electricity demand management.

“We’re pleased to be working with Endeavour Energy on this battery project which will provide households in the Shell Cove community the opportunity to save on their energy costs,” said Origin’s Executive General Manager – Future Energy & Technology, Tony Lucas.

“Community batteries allow people to share in the benefits of battery storage, whether they have solar panels or not, without the upfront costs attached to purchasing a battery for their home. We look forward to people accessing this trial and reaping the benefits that come with harnessing renewable energy.”

The Mayor of Shellharbour City Council, Chris Homer, was also enthusiastic about the trial.

“We’re thrilled to be taking another major step towards our goal of supporting the community to reach net zero emissions by 2050,” Homer said. “Residential electricity is one of the major community emissions sources for Shellharbour City, so we are very encouraged to see Endeavour Energy leading in the supply of clean, renewable and reliable energy for our residents.”

Homer said the community battery would allow residents to store locally generated renewable energy from their household solar and to then use this power when the sun isn’t shining.

“Residents without solar power can also participate in the battery. Not only do participating residents get access to locally generated, reliable renewable energy, they also can access cheaper power, and earn more from their solar energy generated,” Homer said.

Endeavour Energy has proposed a further 32 community batteries.

Top image caption: Colin Crisafulli, Endeavour Energy; Kellie Marsh, Shellharbour City Council; Joanna Nelson, Origin Energy; and David Campbell, Endeavour Energy with the new battery. The Shell Cove community battery and associated electrical assets feature the artwork entitled Turtle Dreaming by Gamilaroi man Daren Dunn. Images courtesy of Endeavour Energy.