New battery a ‘shock absorber’ for SA beachside resort’s network
A new community battery in the state’s south-east is being hailed as a game changer in a regional town’s electricity network, with promises of new help with EV charging on the way.
SA Power Networks has launched a new community battery in Robe – one of eight the organisation is constructing across South Australia to support the electricity networks of regional communities.
The battery was designed to support Robe’s network during periods of high demand.
SA Power Networks CEO Andrew Bills said the Robe High Voltage network support battery acted like a “shock absorber” for Robe’s electrical infrastructure.
“This community battery is about helping the electricity network cope with pressure, rather than replacing the main power supply into Robe,” Bills said.
“You can think of it like a shock absorber on the network – it smooths out spikes in demand during busy periods and takes pressure off the long power line, helping us plan. For future growth and avoid unnecessary, costly upgrades, that ultimately customers would need to pay for in their electricity bills.”
It is one part of a state-wide trial run by SAPN in conjunction with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). In total, $10.6 million was invested from ARENA and SAPN in the project, with Robe’s battery representing a $3.86 million spend.
“ARENA’s support allows us to trial different use cases and learn how community batteries can be integrated into the network at scale,” Bills said.
“Those learnings allow us to trial different use cases and learn how community batteries can be integrated into the network at scale.”
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The community battery is a 2.5 megawatt/3 megawatt-hour system. Robe is set to receive another battery under the ARENA and SAPN program, with the second to support fast electric vehicle charging later this year.
Robe Mayor Lisa Ruffell welcomed the launch.
“Robe continues to grow as a place to live, work and visit, and supporting that growth is essential to both our local and visitor economies,” Ruffell said.
“This community battery is a great example of how collaboration between local government and industry can deliver practical benefits for our community while supporting cleaner energy solutions.”
