On Wednesday of last week, around 25 local residents gathered around a Powercor vehicle outside the Community Centre. Jordan Oliver (Media and Public Affairs) explained that the vehicle is set up with a portable battery and multiple phone-charging points to service communities hit by blackouts – not a substitute, but enough to tide people over temporarily during emergencies.

It was a cool and overcast morning with occasional light rain – a dreadful day to promote renewable energy really, such is the sense of humour of the climate deities. Powercor’s presentation was hosted by Stakeholder Engagement Lead Patrick Stafrace and Senior Engineer Farshad Charmki.

A new community battery, to be set up next year or early in 2025, is being supported by a $500,000 Federal Government grant under the Community Batteries for Household Solar program. The 90kW/270kWh battery, to be located in central Maldon (adjacent to the Bowling Club), is designed to support greater reliability, soak up excess rooftop solar generation and supply up to 50 nearby properties during peak periods for up to three hours.

Those attending put the presenters through a rigorous interrogation about how the project would work and what benefits it would bring. Maldonians are no pushover – even when it comes to issues that most are in favour of – and demanded details while showing an awareness of the finer technical points of battery operations.

Powercor is keen to work with the Maldon community and Mt Alexander Shire Council during the design and construction process, including artwork. Powercor also acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of Maldon and is working in partnership with DJARRA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation). The battery comes with a 10-year guarantee and has a potential lifetime of up to 15 or 20 years. While it will be the first of its kind, the presenters were quick to add that it is not experimental.

This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 8 December 2023.