Yackandandah: the small community making big strides in renewable energy
With the support of the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program, the Yackandandah community is leading the way in batteries and energy
Yackandandah, situated 3 hours 23 minutes from Melbourne, with a population of 2,008 and a reputation for being one of Australia’s prettiest villages, will soon be able to lay claim to being a model for innovative energy storage technologies.
According to Matt Charles-Jones and Dr. Juliette Milbank from Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY), "we are very firmly fixed on 100% renewable energy and have made some great gains."
This is where the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program and its battery grants have been crucial. Next April 2025, TRY will install a 60kW/200kWh neighbourhood-scale battery, which the town is very excited about. “Having more storage is a big factor in trying to level out daytime generation and nighttime demand,” Milbank said.
Located at the Yackandandah Sports Park, the battery will not only support the local sporting clubs and on-site recreation activities, but it will also provide valuable facilities during power outages.
"The battery provides multiple benefits: reducing carbon pollution, cutting energy costs, and enhancing resilience. For us, the battery has benefits on those three things,"
This success hasn’t been achieved without significant community dedication. "This is just another manifestation of the spirit of the community. And it’s a very significant piece in the puzzle," Charles-Jones said.
Yet, the renewable energy vision for Yackandandah extends well beyond these immediate gains. The community aims to create a scenario where "energy is not something done to us, but something done by us".
And once the battery is operating, they’ll shift their focus to what lies ahead. "We need to understand how batteries at all scales work in the energy system," they said, highlighting the importance of adaptability in an evolving technological landscape.
Across Victoria towns are seeking to increase their generation and use of local renewable energy, and batteries are a key enabler of this.
"The rate of change in battery technology is so rapid that we need to know how to use them, so as the technology develops, we are ready to apply the learnings for great consumer and environmental outcomes.”
At the heart of Yackandandah's renewable energy strategy is a commitment to effectively managing fluctuating renewable energy sources. "It’s about managing an energy source that is intermittent so we can save power when it’s plentiful and use it when it’s not," they said.
Yackandandah’s efforts show how small communities can drive significant progress in renewable energy. With their pioneering approach and community spirit, Yackandandah is not just imagining a sustainable future, they're building it.
Page last updated: 13/09/24