Cook apartments at Cutters Landing is seeking support to install a community battery in New Farm to harness solar energy.
Cook Body Corporate Committee Chair, Michael Williams said since installing a 37 kW, 96 panel solar system on its roof in 2021, Cook residents have benefited from no emission, low-cost energy.
“However, during the day we generate more energy than we use so the excess is exported to the grid,” he said.
“We are penalised for this as it creates overload on the Energex network.”
A community battery collects and stores excess energy from solar panels on nearby residents’ rooftops when the sun is shining.
Dr Williams said this green power is then fed to local homes and businesses, with or without solar panels, after sunset when energy demand is high.
Cook investigated getting its own storage battery but found it was too small and expensive.
“A community battery would enable us and others with solar to efficiently store the excess daytime solar energy for use after hours,” he said.
“…Local households, who are unable to install solar panels, would enjoy renewable energy.”
Dr Williams said it would be a win for Energex who would not have to cope with excess daytime energy, and would have electricity locally available after hours, lowering transmission and infrastructure costs.
Over the past year, the Australian and Queensland governments have funded community batteries including 90kW/180kWh ground-mounted batteries in Coorparoo, Moorooka, Newmarket, Nundah and The Gap.
Member for Brisbane Stephen Bates organised a community meeting at the New Farm Neighbourhood Centre on August 29 to progress this idea.
