SHARING | Hume's energy award win
We’re proud to share that the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program, delivered in partnership with Hume City Council, has won the Leading Energy Management Government Program category at the 2025 Energy Efficiency Council awards.
This recognition highlights the impact local programs can have in making energy upgrades more accessible and effective, especially for households who need them most.
Program highlights so far:
- 644 residents registered for upgrades
- 208 home energy upgrades completed (and counting!)
- 123 installations supported by Council concession rebates
With each solar system, heating & cooling, hot water heat pump, insulation or draught proofing install, the program is helping Hume households cut emissions, lower bills, and stay comfortable year-round.
YEF’s Project Lead, Lloyd Heathfield, also joined a panel at the EEC Conference to share insights from the program and discuss the broader vision for community-led electrification.
Thanks to Hume City Council, All Electric Homes, Enviroflex Insulation, and the Energy Efficiency Council for their collaboration and recognition.
HIRING | Project Officer | Applications close 29 June 2025
We are hiring! YEF is looking for a motivated Project Officer to join our team and help deliver meaningful community energy projects.
Why join YEF:
- Flexible hybrid work arrangement
- 0.8–1.0 FTE (negotiable)
- Strong focus on learning and professional development
This is a great opportunity to work on programs that reduce emissions, support households, and drive the energy transition – while growing your skills in a collaborative and supportive team.
REPORTING | Schools are powering up with batteries
Across Australia, schools are increasingly pairing solar with battery storage – to cut energy bills, reduce emissions, and build resilience. More than 130 schools have already adopted batteries, with many participating in government-funded initiatives and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs.
In New South Wales alone, 79 schools have installed 17 MW of solar and 4.6 MWh of storage, with projected savings of over $800,000 and 3,200 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Meanwhile, schools in Victoria, Queensland, and WA are exploring everything from back-up systems for emergencies to fully off-grid alternatives.
REPORTING | Work is underway on our new community batteries
We’re excited to be getting on with work for our three new community battery projects in Altona, Manor Lakes, and Torquay.
Each project has a dedicated webpage that will be regularly updated with project milestones, community consultation opportunities, and key details as we move through planning, installation, and operation.
We look forward to working with local communities to shape these projects and will continue sharing updates along the way.
ANNOUNCING | Clean Energy Council's Leading practice: First Nations engagement course
The Clean Energy Council has launched a free, self-paced online course to support better engagement with First Nations communities in the renewable energy transition.
Developed in partnership with First Nations leaders and experts, the course explores the history, principles, and practices needed to foster respectful, collaborative relationships in clean energy project development.
We’re grateful to the Clean Energy Council for offering this resource and hope it is valuable to those working in the sector.
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.
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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.