Neighbourhood Batteries Program Queenscliffe

The specific BESS locations have now been published and detailed on the Mondo Project webpage. The criteria for selecting locations includes the consideration of:
• The existing and expected solar generation in the local network.
• Suitable electrical connection points close to the distribution transformers.
• Accessible, appropriate, safe and available land that supports the community needs.• Consideration of ecological and cultural heritage impacts.

We have been striving to share 2 batteries in each community, but the number of sites that meet the diverse and complex suitability criteria is proving challenging.

The Victorian Government is investing in 100 neighbourhood-scale batteries across the state through the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries (100NB) Program. In the first round of funding, $1.2 million was awarded to Mondo to install, maintain, and operate 4 BESS units at in the Borough of Queenscliffe. Each battery is 100kW/205kWh.

Mondo is an energy services company based in Melbourne and is a commercial subsidiary of AusNet. Mondo has been working withVictorian communities to help them achieve their renewable energy goals. Mondo has been pioneering community energy projects since 2017, including microgrids, virtual power plants, the 5MW/10MWh battery on Phillip Island (PICESS), utility-grade stand-alone power systems and energy resilience solutions. For a comparable neighbourhood batteries project please visit the Phillip Island project page.

Larger energy storage further ‘upstream’ in the Borough supply will not alleviate local solar or peak load constraints on individual transformers and low voltage networks. Larger feeder level storage is however a different and very useful approach for improved use of local generation.
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The neighbourhood BESS are installed to provide storage in the low voltage power system between the pole mounted transformers and place of use - homes/businesses. The battery will work to smooth the fluctuations in supply and demand in these very localised parts of the electricity system. This will improve the capacity of these low-voltage power systems to accommodate more solar generation and higher demand without excessive voltage fluctuations.

Victoria’s energy grid was originally designed for a one-way flow of power, moving energy from where it’s made to where it’s needed. Rooftop solar generation and other renewable power generation have introduced a more dynamic, two-way flow of electricity, something that the original electricity network was not designed for. To maintain a stable electricity supply and to harness as much renewable energy as possible, we need more storage at the network, district, neighbourhood, and property levels.

Several energy storage solutions that are assembled in Australia were considered, but Mondo was unable to find the services required from systems built in Australia and ultimately chose the EVO Power solution.

The main BESS cabinet is slightly larger than a public phone box, and the switchboard sits alongside the BESS. The physical footprint, including the switchboard, is approximately 2 meters by 2 meters. The proposed lease area will each be approximately 5 metres by 3 metres; however, this may vary slightly from site to site due to specific locational requirements.

The batteries within the BESS will be charged and discharged with electricity from the wholesale energy market, typically charging from the grid during the day with solar energy and storing this energy until it is needed in the evening or early morning, when demand is high, and renewable energy supply is limited.

The battery energy storage systems do emit some noise when charging or discharging power, predominantly caused by the cooling system, likea reverse cycle air conditioner.  The systems will adhere to Environment Protection Authority(EPA) requirements and extra noise reduction methods will be used if requiredat a site. Noise levels will be assessed following the installation of thebatteries.

The installations will be strategically located in areas with substantial local solar generation. If there is any shortfall of locally generated solar energy, the battery will be charged from nearby solar or other generation sources on the grid.

EVO Power, the manufacturer of the BESS, will assemble the cabinets in Bayswater and then transport them to our selected specialist installer DEACAM.  The BESS units will be  shipped to site and installed on a galvanised steel platform.  Each installation takes only a few days, but the full commissioning can take over a month once the electricity connection is made, though much of that final work can be done remotely.

Each battery’s energy storage capacity will be 205kWh. This is suitable for the size of transformers found on the local grid and space provisions. Given suitable locations, it is possible to pair together BESS units to deliver more storage capability.

The expected operational life for each battery cell is approximately 15 years, depending on the number of charge/discharge cycles. Mondo will maintain and monitor the battery cells to optimise life.

Neighbourhood-scale batteries are classified as minor utility installations under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and do not typically require a planning permit. However, each site will be considered by Mondo and the Council about overlays, specific values, heritage considerations, proximity to neighbours, and high tide levels.

Mondo has selected quality, proven, utility-grade storage solutions to ensure the community’s safety. The batteries will utilise the stable lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, have multiple protection systems and remote monitoring. Mondo is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and vegetation management around the BESS installations. The BESS is in locked cabinets of a similar strength to other electricity network equipment.

Mondo has collaborated closely with Queenscliffe Climate Action Now and the Borough of Queenscliffe to finalise a community donation arrangement that is fair, equitable, and transparent. The fund will be managed by QCAN on behalf of the community and will be used to support local renewable energy and efficiency projects for the  Borough Community.

It is unknown what the energy landscape will look like at the end of the batteries' expected life; however, circular economy practices continue to evolve to provide responsible options to reuse or recycle end-of-life batteries. Once the battery cells and other equipment reach the end of life, a decision will be made by Mondo with the Borough on how best to remove, re-purpose or recycle them.

Local emergency services will be briefed on the batteries and their specific locations. Should it be required, emergency services will follow their procedures on managing incidents and hazards. The CFA’s Renewable Energy Fire Safety division has been consulted and is supportive of the project.

No, your personal electricity plan and your choice of energy retailer will not be impacted.

No. The BESS function enhances the local network’s capacity to absorb excess solar energy during the day and export it during periods of higher demand. They will not operate or provide back-up power during an outage. However, by storing excess solar electricity, the stored electricity may help address challenges associated with summer peak loads, which have overloaded parts of the local grid and have caused outages in the past.

No. The purpose of this energy storage is to improve the capacity and efficiency of the grid in handling solar power, thereby reducing our reliance on fossil fuel energy sources and reducing energy costs for all. Home batteries are primarily used for the homeowner's benefit by storing their solar and providing backup. The neighbourhood batteries will complement other storage connected to the grid, including home batteries.