A neighbourhood battery could soon provide back-up power during unplanned outages for Macedon Ranges’ east if the project gains support.
A Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group study identified North Woodend, Newham and Lancefield as most impacted by unplanned power outages in the Ranges.
The group’s state-funded battery feasibility study has determined a business use case that supports the installation of a neighbourhood battery in or near Lancefield.
ENEA Consulting were engaged to prepare a report with an in-depth analysis on the potential sustainability, community, network and economic benefits of a neighbourhood battery.
“ENEA found that one electricity feeder in the Macedon Ranges, located between Woodend and Lancefield (WND013), was notorious for more unplanned electricity outages, lasting more often than average,” said David Gormley O’Brien, MRSG president.
Almost half of the unplanned outages lasted four hours or more and impact about 2600 homes and businesses in the Newham, Cobaw and Lancefield area.
Dr Gormley O’Brien said the feeder had presented problems for the past 10 years.
“By working with Powercor to install a neighbourhood battery along this electricity feeder, it is expected that disruption to customers upstream of the battery can be reduced,” he said.
“The battery is expected to provide short-term back-up for basic power usage, within the time it will take to restore services.
“Most outages are short-term and removing those is a start.”
MRSG is partnering with Powercor to gain community support for the installation of the 500kw battery along the WND013 feeder line.
The battery is expected to cost around $500,000 and would be government funded in partnership with Powercor.
