The Phillip Island Community Energy Storage System (PICESS) is now open, allowing more renewable energy to enter the network and providing enhanced energy security for residents and visitors, the Victorian Government said.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio launched AusNet’s PICESS, which will eliminate the need for diesel generators to back up the island’s electrical system during peak hours, especially during the summer vacations, and help power the Australian MotoGP.
“Neighbourhood-scale energy storage systems are crucial in helping us achieve our energy storage targets and will bring the benefits of battery technology to households, business and communities on Phillip Island,” Minister D’Ambrosio said.
“Neighbourhood batteries are helping Victorians be part of the renewable energy revolution by storing cheap renewable power from rooftop solar during the day and deploying it when it is needed most,” Minister D’Ambrosio added.
The 5 megawatt (MW)/10 megawatt-hour (MWh) neighbourhood battery will replace seasonal generators previously utilised for network assistance during peak demand and help alleviate short-term imbalances by absorbing surplus solar power and exporting it to the grid when needed.
Distributed battery energy storage will be critical for Victoria’s future demands, absorbing inexpensive renewable energy when it is abundant and dispatching it when it is most required.
The batteries will help the State Government meet its Energy Storage Targets of 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy storage capacity by 2030, with an additional objective of 6.3 GW by 2035.
According to the State Government, the $10.92 million Neighbourhood Battery Initiative has sponsored trials of a variety of neighbourhood battery types in Victoria, from feasibility through implementation. The program improves our understanding of the function of neighbourhood-scale batteries in Victoria’s evolving power grid.
The Government is also investing $42.3 million in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to install 100 more neighbourhood batteries across Victoria, tripling the number of houses with access to renewable energy storage. Locations are being identified in collaboration with neighbourhood organisations, councils, and distribution corporations.
Mondo, an AusNet Services commercial company, will monitor and maintain the PICESS battery.
“Phillip Island/Millowl is one of Victoria’s most popular tourism destinations. It’s fantastic that peak periods such as summer holidays or the MotoGP will now be supported by battery power instead of diesel generators,” Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said.
