The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed $46.3 million in funding for the second round of its Community Batteries Program.
The program, designed to boost energy storage capacity and strengthen grid resilience in communities across Australia, now the second round is open for application following a successful first round.
According to ARENA, it seeks applications for community battery projects that enhance energy storage economics, support the integration of distributed energy resources, and strengthen local energy networks. Eligible projects must involve batteries between 50 kilowatts and five megawatts and connected to the distribution network.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller emphasised the role of batteries in ensuring grid stability as Australia transitions to renewable energy.
“Part of increasing our dependency on renewably sourced energy is the need to increase our firming technology to make sure the energy grid is secure and reliable,” he said.
“We can achieve this by storing energy in batteries when renewable energy is plentiful and use this stored energy later in the day and overnight when people most need it.
“Over recent years, a concerted effort has been made in deploying batteries to support the grid and transition to clean energy. Round two will build on the insights, expertise and knowledge developed in round one, resulting in further optimisation of distributed energy resources in the electricity grid.”
The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s $200 million Household Solar Budget measure designed to support the deployment of 400 community batteries across Australia.
ARENA has been allocated $171 million to deliver at least 342 of these batteries over two funding rounds.
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