Brimbank City Council recently flicked the switch on their first community battery in Sunshine West.

Located in Gresham Way Reserve, the battery is helping households reduce their energy bills by storing excess energy from rooftop solar during the day and releasing it back to the grid during peak periods when electricity is most expensive.

This takes pressure off the local electricity network, helping reduce the number of power surges and blackouts. It also enables more use of renewable energy on the electricity grid and allows households to install more solar.

Brimbank Councillor Daniel Kruk was joined by Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Kate Thwaites MP, and Member for Fraser, Dr Daniel Mulino MP, at the official launch on Thursday 16 July.

“Helping the Brimbank community transition to renewable energy is a key part of building our city’s climate change resilience,” Cr Kruk said.

“We hope that the Sunshine Community Battery will be the first of many in Brimbank, helping support energy security and bring down costs for households.”

Cr Kruk also thanked the Federal Government for providing $500,000 in funding through its Community Batteries for Household Solar program.

Income generated by the community battery will be reinvested into projects that support the community to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The vibrant artwork featured on the battery was selected by the Brimbank community. Created by Melbourne artist Melanie Caple, it depicts local flora and fauna including galahs, Australian indigo flowers and large-leaf bush peas.

To learn more about the Sunshine community battery, visit www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/sunshine-community-battery or watch this Facebook Reel.

Image caption: From left to right – Cr Joh Bauch, Cr Lucy Nguyen, Cr Thuy Dang, Cr Daniel Kruk, the Hon Kate Thwaites MP, the Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP.