A neighbourhood battery powering our community.

We want to connect you and others in our community with clean, locally generated, renewable power.

 
 

We are a group of volunteers committed to establishing a community-owned neighbourhood battery in the Alphington/Fairfield area.

A community battery would make it possible for you to share your excess solar power with your neighbour - or buy their excess solar power. And there are plenty of benefits for everyone:

  • Cheaper than market rate electricity

  • Available to homes without solar panels

  • No need for your own storage battery

  • Carbon-neutral power source

  • Generates revenue for the community

But we’re aiming big. Our ambition is to create a business model that enables any community to create their own village powered by local, renewable energy.

 

Here’s how it works

 

01. Rooftop panels convert sunlight to energy

Solar panels on homes and businesses in the area convert sunlight to energy. Excess energy not used by household is exported to the Village Power battery. Typically there is surplus generated in the middle of the day.

02. Excess energy is stored at a community battery bank

Excess energy is stored in a community shared battery. The battery absorbs the excess energy generated the network, which can be dangerous, and makes it available in the evening when it is more useful.

03. Participating homes draw power from the energy bank

Participating homes can draw energy from the battery when they need it. So energy generated by sun in the middle of the day can be used when most people are at home in the evenings.

04. Community battery bank sells excess energy to the national grid

At times of peak demand, the spot price of electricity can be very high. The Village Power bank may sell some energy to the national electrcity grid at peak times, helping to reduce the price of power for the network.

 

Love the idea? Want to know when you can make the switch to Village Power?

 

The Village Power model is presently under development. There is a lot of interest by members of the community, Darebin Council, energy experts and the energy distributor, and if you join our mailing list below we promise to keep you informed.

 

Latest news

 
News
Energy, The Grid and Battery Storage - Battery Storage

Renewable energy growth from solar and wind demands effective storage solutions. Community batteries, like Village Power’s project, store excess local energy, enhance grid resilience, and provide affordable green power to all residents, fostering a sustainable energy future.

Powering Creativity: How Art is Transforming Community Batteries

The Yarra Energy Foundation's artistically designed battery is leading a trend in community energy storage. Find out more here.

Energy, The Grid and Battery Storage: The Energy Transition from Coal and Gas to Electricity

Australia is shifting from coal and gas to a sustainable energy future. This blog post explores the transition to electricity, the challenges of decarbonizing the grid, and the potential of community battery projects. Join me as we uncover how to embrace a cleaner, more efficient energy landscape.

 
 

Want to get involved in Village Power? Show your support for a community-owned neighbourhood battery! From becoming a member to joining our mailing list, there are plenty of ways to get involved.