By impact: Energy/Comms Security

MyTown Energy

MyTown Energy is the spot to get tailored advice, project ideas, inspiration from case studies, explainers, resources and activities about renewable energy, microgrids, and towns creating their own energy secure infrastructure. The site’s aim is to help you in your sustainable energy projects by directing you to information that most suits you and your community’s…
Apollo Bay Community Power Hub

Apollo Bay community members and visitors will be able to stay connected in times of disaster thanks to a new community energy hub in the town. The energy hub at Apollo Bay P-12 College comprises solar panels, a generator and a battery which will allow people to charge devices, heat food, access hot water and…
The Next Economy – Latrobe Valley’s energy transition

Between February and June 2023, The Next Economy explored a range of perspectives among Latrobe Valley community leaders with regards to the energy transition. The project involved hosting a series of interviews and workshops that engaged 31 community members, including First Nations people and young people, people from the multicultural community, grassroots environment groups, small…
Alma Place : A Sustainable Subdivision Case Study

The proposed Alma Place development, located at 24 Alma Road in Beechworth, provides a good case study of how the Sustainable Subdivisions Framework (SSF) can guide and facilitate exemplary sustainability outcomes on a small residential development project. Key initiatives proposed include: a subdivision layout designed to optimise solar orientation potential, a place encouraging produce growing…
Venus Bay Community Energy Project

Since 2021, the Centre of Resilience at the Venus Bay Community Centre has been working on establishing energy resilience in the Venus Bay area. Since 2021, they have installed a demonstration/pilot microgrid – that saw an increase in solar capacity along with a significant battery system and back up generator that allows power to be…
Corryong Islandable Microgrid (CIM)

The microgrid, which is forecast to be completed by early 2026, will power Corryong homes, businesses and community facilities during a power outage. Keep up to date with it here:https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/projects-and-innovation/current-projects/corryong-microgrid
Community batteries in Kimba township SA

A new combined community resilience solution for the Kimba township will see the installation of a community battery, providing up to eight hours of back-up power during outages. SA Power Networks will deliver the initiative in partnership with the District Council of Kimba. The community battery will be installed at the Kimba District Football and…
Waterwheels

Waterwheels are making a comeback but instead of driving the mechanical processes of milling or hammering, they are being used to generate renewable energy and help decarbonise energy systems from the Himalayas and Nepal to Northern Ireland. Instructions to build waterwheels for renewable energy production are even freely available online. Read more about it here:https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/17/how-climate-friendly-waterwheels-are-coming-around-again
Shareable – Emergency Battery Network Toolkit

Shareable partnered with People Power Battery Collective to create the Emergency Battery Toolkit to help organisers build strong and effective backup power supplies owned by local communities. This toolkit is based on the work being done by People Power Battery Collective (a project of People Power Solar Cooperative), a self-organised mutual-aid collective in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose purpose…
Mooloolah Community Centre solar battery pack installation

After receiving $25,000 in Round 2 of the Rebuilding Futures program, funded by the Suncorp Group, the Mooloolah Community Centre has now securely installed a solar battery pack ready for any future disasters or power outages. The installation of the solar batteries has completed a significant preparedness project by this group, who over the last…
Off-grid solar battery powers Eldorado resident through outage

An Eldorado resident in the Hume region of Victoria lives entirely off grid with her family, relying on solar and battery to power her home. Blackouts highlight the need for more Victorians to do the same, developing more resilient, diverse and renewable energy sources that can withstand loss of the grid. Read more about it…
Fleet of EVs feeding power back into Australia’s electricity grid

Vehicle-to-grid technology enables electric vehicles to contribute their large batteries and high (dis)charging powers to power systems reserves. In this report, the first demonstration of a fleet of vehicles discharging to support system security after a frequency contingency in a national grid was tested. The results highlight the potential of vehicle-to-grid, with vehicles discharging within…
Haystack garden in Grong Grong

This is a podcast episode of ‘The World Today’ about city renters turning to solar ‘gardens’, the first of their kind launching in April of 2024. Check it out here:https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/worldtoday/city-renters-turn-to-solar-gardens/103758474
Heyfield MyTown Microgrid

MyTown Microgrid was an innovative, multi-year, multi-stakeholder project undertaking a detailed data-led feasibility study for the historic town of Heyfield. The objective was a better energy future for the people of Heyfield, and a role model for other communities. Over the three-year duration, the project aimed to undertake a detailed data-led microgrid and energy solutions…
ANU – Neighbourhood battery impact framework

To facilitate these evaluations, the Australian National University (ANU), in collaboration with the Victorian Government, has recently released the ANU neighbourhood battery impact framework. This comprehensive tool prepared by Dr Wendy Russell, Louise Bardwell, Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooperand Dr Marnie Shaw serves as a guide for conducting effective evaluations, particularly for battery projects funded by taxpayers.…
Community Power Agency

The Community Power Agency provide a Community Energy Map on their website, it details all the community energy groups that there are information about in Australia. The Agency leads a collaborative effort to maintain the most up-to-date database of Australian community energy groups. This data is then available for publishing into maps, sharing with other…
FFOLK (East Gippsland) and Energy Innovation Co-Operative Ltd. – Renewable Energy in Resilient Communities – Bemm River

FFOLK partnered with Energy Innovation Co-op Ltd to deliver a component of the Resilient Community Energy Smart Grids Pilot, exploring how regional communities can co-design and develop community energy assets for smarter energy transition and greater resilience planning. This report details how the project went. Check it out here:https://energy-innovation.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1.-Resources-page_Renewable-Energy-in-Resilient-Communities.pdf
FFOLK (East Gippsland) and Energy Innovation Co-Operative Ltd. – Renewable Energy in Resilient Communities – Buchan

FFOLK partnered with Energy Innovation Co-op Ltd to deliver a component of the Resilient Community Energy Smart Grids Pilot, exploring how regional communities can co-design and develop community energy assets for smarter energy transition and greater resilience planning. This report details how the project went. Check it out here:https://energy-innovation.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1.-Resources-page_Renewable-Energy-in-Resilient-Communities.pdf
Community Power Agency – Resilient Energy Centres – A how to guide

This guide provided by Community Power Agency is intended to support Australian communities in developing plans for greater energy resilience, specifically in creating places with a more reliable energy supply for times of need. It is written for community members, particularly those living in small regional and remote areas, and at the end of the…
First Nations Clean Energy Network

The First Nations Clean Energy Network ensures First Nations people play a central role and harness the opportunities from Australia’s renewables boom. It includes tool kits, information on electrification, policy explainers, best practice guides, finance and funding opportunities, and a map connecting users to First Nations energy projects near them. Get in contact, donate and…
Totally Renewable Yackandandah

A 100% volunteer run community group with the lofty goal of powering Yackandandah with 100% renewable energy, giving resilience, savings, lower emissions and showing that it can be done. TRY partners with local community and relevant organisations to inspire projects transitioning Yackandandah to clean and local sources of energy. Get in contact, donate and check it…