Energy battery storage are critical for the decarbonisation of the electricity grid and the transition from a centralised generation model to a decentralised one, allowing the integration of more renewables in the energy system. In the Australian Energy Markets, community-owned batteries offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution that not only benefits the community but also the environment.
According to The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) if consumer batteries are efficiently coordinated, AEMO estimates that they could help reduce costs for all consumers by offsetting the need for an additional $4.1B in grid-scale investments. But in addition a 1MW community owned battery enrolled in an FCAS (Frequency Control Ancillary Services) programme could generate $250K/year revenues for its community owners, according to the latest GridBeyond White Paper: Community Battery 101 – Australia. Community-scale storage could also achieve significant net value through stacking multiple services, earning the operators a valuable income stream and realising attractive payback and return on investment opportunities.
Against rising electricity costs, community batteries provide a solution by empowering communities to take control of their energy. Community batteries can reduce energy costs, by storing excess energy when it’s cheap and using it during peak hours. They can make community less reliant on traditional energy providers and they are also more sustainable as they maximise the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind and can provide a reliable source of energy even during grid outages.
But for community batteries to be commercially viable, an intelligent energy storage management system (ESMS) platform must be interoperable between a grid operator’s system, grid edge control layer, and energy market interfaces. The ESMS must be able to co-optimise across value streams to deliver benefits across the entire energy stakeholder ecosystem.
“It’s exciting to see the Australian Government supporting the rolling out community batteries to lower power bills and boost electricity reliability. Community batteries are a great opportunity for everyone as everyone can benefit from those. Energy storage batteries can help the government to reach its decarbonisation goal, they generate savings and can help communities to even benefiting financially through an intelligent energy storage management system” said Scott Berrie, Asset Development Director at GridBeyond.
About GridBeyond
GridBeyond began commercially trading in 2010 and is home to the world’s first hybrid battery and demand network. Now a global player in the energy transition, GridBeyond provides a powerful combination of technological excellence, consultative approach and unrivalled expertise that enables its partners and clients have future-proof access to energy services, while supporting the wider electricity grid integrate more volatile renewables and make the leap to a greener future. All without impacting operations.
GridBeyond delivers energy services, new revenues, enhanced savings, strengthened operations and sustainability to over 900 I&C sites worldwide, including some of the planet’s best-loved brands.