After extensive consultation with community energy groups across the region, three feasibility studies were identified to assist groups with planning for the next phase of their renewable energy transition. Given time and funding constraints, the studies needed to be reasonably high level but incorporate sufficient detail to recommend a viable path forward for the respective communities. 

It would have been very difficult for local volunteer groups to fund consultants of this calibre out of their own pockets. It was a great pleasure to facilitate this work and leapfrog community renewable aspirations in this way. These reports helped to form the backbone of advocacy efforts for future funding, facilitating the transition to local renewables in the short-medium term.

Queenscliff Community Battery Feasibility Study 

This study set out to identify the most viable route for the Borough of Queenscliff to become a net zero community by implementing energy storage solutions for pre-existing and planned solar generation. The Community Power Hub worked closely with Queenscliff Climate Action Group (QCAG) on this project, and engaged Wave Consulting to undertake the study. The four scenarios the consultants were asked to consider were:

• Large-scale Front-of-the-Meter (FotM) battery (or batteries), located in strategic locations
• Distributed network of smaller FotM batteries 
• Network of Behind-the-Meter (BtM) batteries, both residential and commercial allowing shared energy storage consistent with a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) model
• A hybrid option comprising both BtM batteries, to facilitate storage from private or community solar installations; and FotM batteries, strategically located to support network services and enable increased municipal solar penetration

The study found that none of the scenarios would generate enough revenue to be self-financing, even over a 15-year period. While not providing a definitive path forward in the short term, the study helped QCAG rethink their approach to net zero and will provide a useful platform for ongoing engagement with Powercor and will inform advocacy efforts for future funding.

Apollo Bay Energy Autonomy Plan 

Conducted by Enhar, this report provided very useful results for the local community energy group, Southern Otways Sustainable (SOS). With over 70 power outages in 2020, SOS had been looking into large-scale energy solutions such as a neighbourhood battery, wind farm or solar farm. However, the findings from the Enhar report (backed up by data from Powercor), clearly showed that localised grid constraints, with just two 22kV power lines feeding the town and surrounds, would not support local large-scale generation or storage.

Armed with these findings, SOS has altered their ‘renewable roadmap’ to include a range of new recommendations. They are now working towards four to five medium-sized batteries, as opposed to one large battery. The identified “ideal site” for these batteries is close to the school, pool and community garden, where there is already substantial solar power being generated. 

Barwon South West Community Energy Retailer Feasibility Study 

This study was conducted by Sourced Energy, with an independent consultant providing facilitation expertise. The community survey, which was sent out in May via numerous community group mailing lists, received over 500 responses, which provided Sourced Energy with a good amount of information to provide to retailers.

A questionnaire for retailers was created with extensive input from the Community Energy Retailer working group, which was established to inform the project and met numerous times throughout the process. Unfortunately, this feasibility study occurred during a period of intense and unprecedented volatility for the National Energy Market, with multiple retailers becoming insolvent and/or urging their customers to switch to another retailer. As a result, only 4 retailers responded to the Sourced questionnaire.

Nonetheless, the report recommended alignment with a vertically integrated retailer as most appropriate for the community retail aspirations of BRACE. The market disruption highlighted that if BRACE were to engage an existing retailer to serve the Barwon South West region, the safest option would be a well-established retailer with significant buying power, even if their environmental values didn’t perfectly align. A critical mass of willing customers would also be very important for such a retailer to consider a community collaboration of this nature.