ANNOUNCING | Community Batteries Coming to Altona, Manor Lakes & Torquay
Yarra Energy Foundation has secured Australian Government funding through the Community Batteries for Household Solar program to deliver three new community batteries in partnership with Diamond Energy—one of Australia’s greenest electricity retailers.
The batteries will be installed in Altona, Manor Lakes, and Torquay, helping store local solar energy and support a more flexible, resilient grid. Each site will be shaped by community consultation, with input from local councils and landholders.
Diamond Energy will be developing a special retail offer for nearby households in each of the three suburbs. Details will be developed as part of the project.
We look forward to sharing further updates as the projects progress.
REPORTING | Community batteries now supporting Bellfield and Coburg
Jemena has switched on its first community batteries at Cyril Cummins Reserve in Bellfield and Hudson Street in Coburg, supported by the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
YEF was proud to assist with community consultation for both projects, helping engage local residents and ensure the installations reflect community needs and values.
Each battery provides around 400kWh of storage and will support hundreds of local homes and businesses by storing surplus solar energy generated during the day and releasing it when demand is highest in the evening.
Our COO, Timothy Shue, and Communications & Engagement Officer, Marie Lakey, joined Jemena and community members at the launch of the Bellfield battery to celebrate this milestone.
SPOTLIGHTING | How one Brunswick apartment electrified
A Brunswick apartment block has cut energy bills by $17,944 per year, slashed CO₂ emissions by 86%, and eliminated gas entirely – with a payback period of under two years.
Working with All Electric Homes, the residents focused on one major opportunity: upgrading communal hot water with solar and heat pumps.
“We’re now running the hot water system on solar – saving thousands a year while slashing our carbon footprint. The upgrade pays for itself in under 2 years.” – Apartment resident
This project shows the power of whole-of-system thinking, proving that targeted solutions can deliver big results for apartments.
ATTENDING | EEC National Conference 2025
The Energy Efficiency Council’s National Conference will be held on 27-28 May 2025 at the Pullman on the Park, East Melbourne.
YEF’s Solar & Electrification Project Lead, Lloyd Heathfield, will join the panel Think global, act local: The role of councils in electrifying Australian homes. He’ll share insights from YEF’s work supporting councils to deliver practical electrification programs – including learnings from the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program and other residential initiatives.
We look forward to this important discussion on how local action can help drive Australia’s clean energy transition.
HOSTING | Local Government Forum addressing cost of living pressures and emissions reductions
This week, YEF hosted a knowledge-sharing forum for local governments focused on the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program.
We were joined by representatives from Hume City Council, program suppliers, and a range of councils from across Victoria. The forum sparked valuable discussions on how solar and electrification programs can reduce household emissions and ease cost of living pressures, particularly for low-income households.
It was also a great opportunity for attendees to share experiences, challenges, and explore how similar approaches could work in their own communities.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a productive session.
- Follow YEF on LinkedIn to stay up to date on events
SHARING | Our Services
- Feasibility studies
- Community Engagement
- Community battery strategies for local councils
- Consulting & advice
- Project management
- Solar & electrification programs
We are a small team of extremely passionate energy experts with decades of combined industry, governmental, business, and sustainability experience.
MORE:
Yarra Energy Foundation acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of this country, pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Yarra, and gives respect to the Elders past and present.