The Mornington Peninsula Shire announced that it will receive funding from the Australian Government for the Flinders Community Battery project.
The $500,000 federal subsidy, obtained through the Community Batteries for Household Solar Program, will cover the whole cost of the battery and installation.
This comes after three years of hard work by Flinders Zero Carbon Community, which included organising community forums, commissioning a feasibility assessment, advocacy activities, and the production and presentation of ‘A Road Map To Carbon Zero’ to a community forum attended by over 90 locals.
Mornington Peninsula Shire said it is proud to collaborate with Flinders Zero Carbon Community and Yarra Energy Foundation to move this project further and help Flinders achieve its zero carbon goals.
The Fitzroy North Community Battery served as inspiration for the Flinders Community Battery.
Once installed, the Shire stated that the First Community Battery will allow the local community to store solar energy for usage during peak periods, as well as share extra solar-generated electricity with other houses in their neighbourhood.
The Shire will collaborate with Yarra Energy Foundation project partners to complete contracts for the battery’s operation and maintenance during its 10-year lifespan. If satisfactory conditions can be reached, the Shire will invest $30,000 towards site preparation and commit to owning the battery.
Profits from the battery and prospective EV charger will be directed to a community benefit fund managed by Repower Mornington Peninsula, of which Flinders Zero Carbon Community is a satellite organisation.
