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Project Readiness Assessment Tool

The Project Readiness Assessment Tool will help you check your project idea’s suitability to apply to the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program. By using the tool you will be able to clearly see the capabilities, resources, and plans needed to install and run a neighbourhood battery.

Download our Project Readiness Assessment Tool to assess your readiness to apply for funding.

2-day Neighbourhood Battery Training course

Bookings are now open for the 2-day Neighbourhood Battery training course. Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) has been engaged by DEECA to design and deliver a 2-day in-person advanced training course.

When

The course will run 13-14 August 2024. Training will be delivered in-person over consecutive days.

Where

United Co co-working space, 425 Smith Street, Fitzroy, Victoria

How to book

Bookings and payments can be made via the Humanitix Neighbourhood Battery Training 2-day course page.

To access the discounted NFP pricing, interested attendees will need to check their eligibility by providing DEECA the following information via email:

  • your full name
  • the NFP organisation you are representing
  • your role in the NFP
  • what involvement your organisation has had with NB projects to date and any plans your group has for future NB implementation.

NFP group members can either:

  1. email this information to neighbourhood.batteries@deeca.vic.gov.au or
  2. if they have an existing relationship with a DEECA regional office team member, this team member can provide the group member with the discount code directly. Please contact James Bramwell via teams messenger for the discount code.

Ticket prices

  • $1,601.55: Interstate General Admission (interstate participants and Victorian organisations seeking more than two tickets).
  • $594.69: Victorian General Admission (all Victorian organisations up to a maximum of two tickets per organisation).
  • $297.03: Victorian Non-Profit Organisations. Limited tickets are available. To access this ticket type please follow instructions below.

Who the training is for

For community group members and local government staff actively involved in distributed energy/renewables/climate change and resilience work.

This training may be of particular interest to community energy group members who have been part of previous Victorian Government programs like Community Power Hubs, Solar on Public Buildings, or Supporting our Regions to Adapt.

Please note: this is an advanced training course. Stakeholders who have not yet engaged with neighbourhood-scale batteries may benefit from first completing the "Online Neighbourhood Battery Feasibility Training' outlined below.

Purpose of the training

The purpose of this course is to improve the quality and maturity of neighbourhood battery (NB) project proposals in Victoria. The course provides participants with the knowledge and capabilities to:

  • plan a neighbourhood battery project
  • develop a business case that enables you to pursue funding opportunities for your project.

The course will cover the following:

  • steps towards developing a robust project plan and business case for a NB
  • fundamentals of Battery Energy Storage System components, operation, and procurement
  • process for determining whether a NB is the right solution for your circumstances
  • different value streams available to owners of NBs, including market participation, retail arrangements and network tariffs
  • different business/operating models, use cases, and dispatch control methods
  • processes and criteria for site identification, assessment, and approval
  • approaches to successfully communicating and meaningfully engaging with stakeholders
  • role of NBs in decarbonising the energy system
  • priorities for project management, including identifying relevant project partners and determining the sequencing of critical project activities.

You will also hear from expert guest speakers, including those who have delivered neighbourhood batteries, and hear perspectives from Distribution Network Service Providers.

On the first day, participants will have an opportunity to visit the Fitzroy North neighbourhood battery.

Coming early August 2024 — online Neighbourhood Battery Feasibility Training  

To complement the 2-day advanced training course, the Victoria Government will release online Neighbourhood Battery feasibility training in early August 2024.

This feasibility training will support participants to move from concept to planning and preparing neighbourhood battery projects by covering topics such as business models and revenue opportunities, site selection, and project management.

The online feasibility training will:

  • cover content from previous Neighbourhood battery training
  • integrate tools and templates developed for DEECA
  • convert the course into four one-hour online learning modules.
  • include online Q&A sessions to address questions from people who have watched the online content.

About our trainers

YEF has been engaged by DEECA to design and deliver the training. YEF is an independent not-for-profit organisation with a mission to accelerate the uptake of cleaner energy.

YEF has been involved in the delivery of NB projects through the Victorian Government’s Neighbourhood Battery Initiative and has developed expertise working with stakeholders across the industry on a range of neighbourhood battery projects.

Neighbourhood Battery Initiative Industry and Community Report

In 2021, we asked you to share your views and experiences about neighbourhood batteries. Here are some insights:

  • over 1,000 visitors to the site
  • 350 surveys completed
  • 90% of community respondents were in favour of participating in a battery trial
  • industry responses featured community energy groups, local government, energy professionals, electricity retailers, Distribution Network Service Providers, and peak bodies
  • we need to test and support different neighbourhood battery models
  • knowledge sharing is essential
  • we need to address regulatory and other barriers to neighbourhood battery deployment.

Read the Victorian Neighbourhood Battery Initiative Consultation

The Knowledge Hub

DEECA had a research partnership with the Australian National University. This partnership created the Knowledge Hub. The hub has critical research and learnings on how to develop neighbourhood battery.

The Knowledge Hub is a one-stop shop of information. It provides a useful guide and support to all groups on neighbourhood batteries. Explore the Knowledge Hub.

Read more about neighbourhood batteries

Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Knowledge Bank. For battery storage reports, studies, multimedia and tools. These provide guidance and learning to benefit future renewable energy projects.

Yarra Energy Foundation Community Battery Resources. For a suite of webinars, reports, news about community batteries and updates about the YESS project.

Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program. Subscribe to their e-newsletter and learn about their projects, publications and educational videos.

Fast tracking neighbourhood batteries guide

Produced as a joint initiative by City of Melbourne, City of Yarra, City of Port Phillip, the Fast tracking neighbourhood batteries guide is to assist other inner metropolitan councils and community groups to:

  • understand neighbourhood batteries and their role locally
  • decide whether neighbourhood batteries could benefit their community
  • navigate a pathway to successful deployment.

This guide focusses on inner urban municipalities, but is also relevant for councils and communities beyond this context.

Page last updated: 13/06/24