Noosa is set to gain one of Queensland's first community batteries, with installation currently underway.
The project is the result of a three year partnership between Noosa Council, Zero Emissions Noosa Inc, the Yarra Energy Foundation, Acacia Energy and Energy Queensland, supported by the Australian Government's Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
Currently being installed in MacGregor Park, Noosaville, the battery will store excess solar energy exported to the grid by nearby homes during the day and supply that clean power back to the neighbourhood at night.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said the 360kWh battery will make better use of the community's strong rooftop solar power generation.
"Community batteries soak up excess rooftop solar locally, like a giant sponge," Cr Wilkie said.
"At night, that stored clean energy is fed back onto the local grid, easing demand for power when it's needed most when daily demand peaks and helps Noosa play its part in the global transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner, cheaper, more environmentally friendly technologies.
"Even people who do not have their own solar panel systems will receive green energy powering their homes at night thanks to this battery.
"The battery is connected directly to the power grid rather than individual homes, so no one needs to opt in, and residents won't notice any difference to their power supply or bill."
Zero Emissions Noosa Chair, Anne Kennedy, said the community battery represents a major step forward in supporting the region's transition to renewable energy.
"This project shows what's possible when community groups, industry and local government work together. It will help maximise the solar energy Noosaville is already producing and make clean energy more accessible across the neighbourhood," Ms Kennedy said.
The Noosaville location was selected due to its concentration of rooftop solar systems and suitable local electricity network conditions.
Cr Wilkie said Council worked closely with the community across three engagement phases.
"Feedback from nearby residents and the broader community has been carefully incorporated at each stage of design and development," he said.
"We've worked with project partners to address concerns around safety and noise, and to ensure the battery meets stringent fire and electromagnetic field safety standards."
The battery includes multiple layers of protection, including three safety barriers, built in fire suppression systems, automated shutdown capability, and heat and smoke detection.
Council hopes the battery will be operational by early May.
Mayor Frank Wilkie discusses the Noosaville community battery project:
Mayor-Frank-Wilkie-Community-battery-installation.mp3
