The Australian government launched an incentive in December 2022 to get more storage into local communities. World Economic Forum hails these trials as a noble effort to help residents pool and share solar energy. However, PV Magazine was less positive about community batteries on February 11, 2023. We investigated and report what we found.
World Economic Forum: The Pros of Community Batteries
Community batteries are manageable, and relatively easily installed. They vary in size from a refrigerator to a shipping container. A one-megawatt-hour option could power up to 1,000 average homes for about two hours. This would make it a great boon for a small, isolated community.
Solar-empowered houses sell their spare electricity from their systems to a community storage hub. Later, they may purchase it back at peak at a slightly lower rate. One Australian trial demonstrated participants consumed 85% less energy from Australia’s electricity grid at peak times.
Sounds Logical: What’s the Catch with Communal Batteries?
PV Magazine leads with the title ‘A Battery of Dilemmas’. It agrees with the need to move quickly with energy storage. Yet at the same time it emphasizes the need “to do the right social and technical research. And to make good decisions about the best options.”
Core communal interests play an important role in these trials. Is the over-arching interest increasing community resilience? Or is the collective desire to increase disposable income? But there is an even greater bridge to cross.
Diverse communities have members in different income bands. Should community batteries make the fortunate few wealthier, while the poorer cousins suffer blackouts? This is a tough one to answer. What is the role of government in this?
Are You Saying We Should Give Up with Community Batteries?
No, not at all. We are merely summarizing two opinions to encourage a healthy debate. We believe the trials should continue. After all, their purpose is to identify and resolve issues, and that is exactly what these trials are doing.
More Information
Will Batteries Be With Us Forever?
Solid State Lithium Battery Progress
Preview Image: Community Battery Storage System
