Zero Emissions Noosa is proud to announce they are leading the charge in the implementation of community batteries in the shire, and they want you to be part of it!
Noosa and Hinterland residents are invited to come along to interactive sessions about community batteries being held in Cooroy and Noosa Heads. “This is a real opportunity for residents to check out if a community battery would be right for their neighbourhood, and for us to seek genuine community feedback,” said ZEN chair Anne Kennedy.
The Cooroy session will be held on Saturday 18 March from 10am-1pm in the Cooroy Memorial Hall, and the Noosa Heads session will be held on Saturday 25 March from 9am-12pm at The J Theatre, Noosa Drive, Noosa Junction. Register for either event at zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au/community-batteries or phone 0407 116 105 for more info.
“We think Noosa residents are ready to power up their community’s future with sustainable energy,” said Ms Kennedy.
“Community batteries can help you do just that. By storing excess solar energy, these batteries can reduce carbon emissions and increase the hosting capacity of the network, allowing for more rooftop solar. With community batteries, you can put downward pressure on energy bills while also building community action in response to climate change.
“ZEN is among the leaders in the country working towards a network of community batteries in the shire,” said Ms. Kennedy.
“At these sessions we want to inform you about community batteries and most importantly find out what your opinions are. We know that storage is essential to respond to the need for power when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. We’ve all heard of big batteries, and home batteries, but now community batteries are becoming a viable electricity storage option at the local level.
“Community batteries can help with emerging problems of the grid being able to cater for the growth of rooftop solar, and can also reduce our dependence on coal-fired power in the peak evening electricity demand periods by soaking up excess daytime solar for release at night.
“At the information sessions you will hear about what a community battery is, how it works, what it looks like, why it helps the energy transition, and most importantly, how to bring one to your neighbourhood. We want to hear from residents why they think a community battery would be a great initiative in their neighbourhood, and the last hour of the event is an optional session on how to select a location and engage your local community.
“We are already significantly advanced on bringing a community battery to Noosaville, through a partnership with Noosa Council and Yarra Energy Foundation, to access a $500,000 Federal Government grant. We are confident of success with the application, and look forward to beginning the project in July this year.
“We intend that this will be the first of many batteries to roll out through the shire, and we are grateful to have received funding support from the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant program to enable the development of a business plan for a network of community batteries in the Noosa LGA.”
Can’t make the sessions? We’d love to chat. You can email info@zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au phone 0407 116 105, or go to zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au/community-batteries
