Community batteries, also known as neighbourhood batteries, play an important role in the energy transition. By storing electricity close to where it’s generated, they support network stability and help communities share in the benefits of renewable energy.
Traditionally, connecting a battery to the network required two separate connection applications – one for the load and another for the generation.
Our Community Battery Connection Agreement is a new streamlined process specifically for battery proponents who have secured, or plan to apply for, government funding. This simplified approach makes it easier, faster and sometimes more cost-effective to connect a community battery to our network.
What is the Community Battery Connection Agreement?
This Agreement is an alternative connection pathway for batteries located in parts of our network where there are capacity constraints. By placing limits on how much electricity the battery can import from and export to the grid, we may be able to avoid costly network upgrades, resulting in a lower connection cost.
If your project needs unrestricted imports and exports, our standard connection agreement may be a better option. This agreement may result in a higher connection cost if a network upgrade is needed.
We’ll discuss both options with you during the preliminary assessment so you can decide which agreement suits your project.
What types of community batteries does the new Agreement cover?
The new Agreement applies to community batteries with a power rating greater than 30kW and up to 1.5MW that are located either:
- behind-the-meter, for example, at a sports centre installed on the customer’s side of the meter (the side where the house or business is located), or
- in-front-of-the-meter (on the utility side of the meter) – this is the side owned by an electricity distribution company, like us. Front-of-meter batteries have their own dedicated meter and are connected directly to the low-voltage or medium-voltage network.
Download our Front-of-meter and behind-the-meter community batteries factsheet (PDF, 96KB).
The application process
- Complete the preliminary assessment form
- Email it to communitybatteries@ausnetservices.com.au
- Pay invoice
- Attend an online consultation with a connection specialist.
Preliminary assessment
This will give you an estimate of the connection cost for both the supply and generation aspects of your battery connection. This is a mandatory step in our connection process for any community battery above 30kW and up to 1.5MW.
If you choose to proceed after the assessment, we’ll provide a fixed-cost quote and a connection agreement.
Online consultation
After submitting your preliminary assessment form, you’ll get a consultation session with a connection specialist. After this session, you will receive:
- an estimated connection cost range and timeframe
- the technical requirements for safely connecting your battery to the network
- the total allowable battery inverter capacity (kW) and export limits
- any restrictions on when your battery can import and export to the grid.
Costs and timeframes
- Cost: $1,000 exc. GST.
- Timeframe: Within 45 business days of invoice payment and consultation.
- Valid: for 20 business days.
Credit: Indigo Power
