IMPACT SPOTLIGHT: Enabling an early Australian community battery trial

The Narrabri Shire, one of Australia's "coal-impacted communities," was granted federal funding for a community battery, primarily due to the efforts of Hub partner Geni.Energy to make it happen, with an application supported by Hub research outcomes.

After undertaking a project looking at the viability of community batteries at different scales and demonstrating extensive ongoing community engagement, Geni.Energy received federal government support to begin the Narrabri Community Battery Trial Project.

Geni.Energy was one of only two organisations eligible for Stream 2 of the funding made available through the Community Batteries for Household Solar program.

The project will install and commission Narrabri's first 500kWh battery in the Town Hall carpark, which will soak up excess solar energy during the day and make it available at night. It is anticipated that this project will bring localised benefits to homes with solar panels as well as supporting the grid. Geni.Energy hopes that the experience gained through the trial can be used to help other communities transition to renewable energy.

Read more about the project from Geni.Energy Managing Director, Sally Hunter: Why we need to fight for the "community" in community batteries (24 June, 2024)

IMPACT SPOTLIGHT: Solar & battery calculator features in government's Solar Consumer Guide

SunSPOT is a solar and battery calculator built by Hub researchers in partnership with the Australian PV Institute to help households and small businesses navigate the confusing and highly technical solar sales market. The online tool enables users to access free, independent and reliable advice about how much solar they need, how much solar will fit on their homes and how much money they can save on their electricity bills.

Earlier this year, the Australian government released the Solar Consumer Guide to help more Australians reap the benefits of rooftop solar. SunSPOT is featured in this guide as part of the step-by-step independent advice offered to those considering purchase of a solar system.

With free estimates from SunSPOT and helpful advice from the Solar Consumer Guide, consumers can feel more confident about buying the right solar systems for their homes and small businesses.

Upskilling engineers to decarbonise the Australian Economy

Hub researcher and technology translator, Dr Matthew Priestley, has been working with Hub Industry Partner Hysata to help deliver their revolutionary high-efficiency green hydrogen technology and accelerate Australia's shift away from fossil fuels.

This partnership has enabled Dr Priestley to identify a critical gap in the green hydrogen production industry in Australia, which is that most local electrical engineers do not have the required technical expertise to work in hydrogen production jobs. The rapid growth of this industry means that hydrogen companies are forced to look overseas to countries with manufacturing-based economies, who have more technical expertise, to address this skills shortage.

“There’s a massive shortage of electrical engineers in Australia to decarbonise our economy, let alone in hydrogen.”

“We want electrical engineers in Australia who possess an interdisciplinary understanding of the chemical and mechanical engineering parts of how hydrogen production works in order to optimise the electrical systems,” Dr Priestley said.

He is now working to address this skills shortage and shore up a future workforce for Australia by developing a course titled, "Hydrogen Production for Engineers," which will be offered at UNSW next year as a 10–13-week micro-credential.

Read more about the micro-credential pilot program that’s helping to fund development of the course in this piece in the Sydney Morning Herald.