EcoJoule Energy is helping Victorian households make better use of rooftop solar following the successful installation of ten pole-mounted neighbourhood batteries across AusNet’s electricity distribution network.
The batteries, delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s 100 Neighbourhood Battery Program, are now operational across ten Victorian communities, supporting 1,777 households and helping create a smarter, more flexible electricity network.
Developed by EcoJoule Energy, the pole-mounted EcoSTORE battery energy storage systems capture excess rooftop solar generation during the day and release stored energy back into the local electricity network when demand increases, particularly during the evening peak.
The installations are located in Coldstream, Diamond Creek, Ferntree Gully, Heathmont, Knoxfield, Lysterfield, Smiths Beach, Traralgon, Wantirna and Wantirna South.
EcoJoule Energy co-founder and CEO Dr Mike Wishart said the project demonstrated the important role distributed battery storage could play in addressing the challenges created by Australia’s rapid uptake of rooftop solar.
“Australia has led the world in rooftop solar adoption, but our electricity networks were never designed to manage large volumes of electricity flowing back into the grid from individual households,” Dr Wishart said.
“By installing battery storage directly into the low-voltage network, we can capture more of that locally generated renewable energy and make it available when households need it most.
“This is a practical example of how Australian-developed technology can help electricity distributors unlock more value from existing infrastructure while supporting the transition to renewable energy.”
The compact batteries, approximately the size of a bar fridge, are installed on existing electricity poles in areas with high levels of rooftop solar generation.
According to AusNet, the batteries can collectively supply enough electricity to power up to 50 homes for two hours after sunset under normal network operating conditions.
The installations also help maintain consistent voltage levels for more than 100 surrounding homes, creating opportunities for additional rooftop solar connections, household electrification and electric vehicle charging.
AusNet General Manager Strategy & Regulation Charlotte Eddy said the batteries were helping communities make better use of locally generated renewable energy.
“The batteries act like miniature energy banks, storing solar energy during the day and making it available later, helping manage peak electricity use in the local area and creating capacity for more rooftop solar and household electrification,” Ms Eddy said.
The installations form part of a broader shift towards distributed energy storage, which allows electricity distributors to manage local network constraints without relying exclusively on traditional network upgrades.
EcoJoule Energy’s EcoSTORE technology has been designed specifically for deployment within low-voltage electricity networks, combining battery storage with advanced power electronics and network management capabilities.
Unlike large-scale battery installations connected to transmission or high-voltage distribution networks, pole-mounted systems can be deployed close to where electricity is generated and consumed.
Dr Wishart said the ability to manage energy storage and voltage at a local level would become increasingly important as more households installed solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles.
“The energy transition is changing how electricity moves through our networks. Instead of electricity flowing in one direction from large generators to customers, we now have millions of households generating, storing and consuming electricity at different times,” he said.
“Technologies such as EcoSTORE give network operators additional flexibility to manage these changes while maintaining reliable electricity supply.
“Importantly, they can also help create the network capacity needed to accommodate more renewable energy without the cost and disruption of major infrastructure upgrades.”
AusNet said the project would also help it reassess areas where solar exports are currently constrained, potentially allowing more households to export additional electricity into the network.
Dr Wishart congratulated AusNet and the Victorian Government on the successful rollout.
“We’re extremely proud to see EcoJoule technology supporting Victorian communities and delivering real benefits to households and the electricity network,” he said.
“Projects like this demonstrate what can be achieved when innovative Australian technology is combined with forward-thinking network operators.
“We look forward to building on this success and helping more communities across Australia and internationally benefit from smarter, more flexible electricity networks.”
The Victorian installations add to EcoJoule Energy’s growing portfolio of distributed energy technology projects in Australia and overseas.