RECEIVING | Funding for electrification engagement
We’re delighted to share that YEF has been awarded funding through Sustainability Victoria’s Community Electrification Engagement Program.
YEF will be working together with Community Energy Groups and Local Governments to host a series of events to promote electrification to households across metro Melbourne.
The program will focus on providing accessible, trusted information about home electrification, helping communities understand the benefits of going electric, learn about available rebates and support, ask questions and hear from experts.
- We can't wait to share more news about this exciting program in the coming weeks.
- Community Electrification Engagement Program
SHARING | Home battery safety: what you need to know before you buy
In our latest article, we speak with Sandy Atkins from Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) about what to consider before installing a home battery.
As interest grows under the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program, it's important that safety remains front of mind. Sandy shares practical advice to help households choose the right system, installer, and setup, covering everything from site assessments and after-sales support to safety standards and appropriate battery placement.
HOSTING | Yarra battery information session | Monday 28 July 2025 | from 7pm
Join YEF’s Solar & Electrification Project Lead and Yarra City Council for a Battery Information Night.
The session will explore the role batteries can play in the energy transition, how they work with solar systems, and what factors to weigh up, like size, blackout protection and compatibility.
If you want to learn more about home batteries and understand your options, click the link below to register for the event.
ATTENDING | Ending an ICE* age: The EV Infrastructure Summit
This month we attended the EV Infrastructure Summit in Sydney alongside a few hundred other EV industry members.
* ICE = Internal Combustion Engine
Our key takeaways:
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is here but yet to take off in the mainstream. This could accelerate when car manufacturers cover bidirectional charging in warranties.
- Around ~20% of residential customers in Australia will need to rely on public charging infrastructure, so the market is somewhat limited and margins for charge point operators (CPOs) are still tight.
- There’s a missing middle for public charging infrastructure to support light commercial vehicles (think delivery vans and trucks) and rideshare cars.
- Free charging models can depress wider deployment of EV charging infrastructure, avoid if possible!
- Right charger, right place: it’s all about finding the right size charger for its location. Faster chargers need less amenities, slower chargers want more amenities. Communities are unlikely to support EV charging in “premium” parking locations.
- Cars are still cars are still cars. EV charging rollout still needs to be contextualised in sustainable transport design, which should prioritise pedestrian, active transport, and public transport where possible.
- EVs are very robust. Data shows that rate of fires is significantly higher in ICE vehicles than EVs.
- EV Infrastructure Summit
ATTENDING | Local Energy Solutions at Electrify Southside
YEF’s Energy & Storage Project Officer recently joined a panel discussion at the Electrify Southside Expo, exploring how communities can take charge of their energy future through shared solar, microgrids, community batteries, and cooperative models.
The session, Community Power & Local Energy Solutions, focused on how neighbourhoods, councils, and community groups can work together to produce, store, and share clean energy.
Panellists tackled big questions, including how to make electrification accessible to renters and apartment dwellers, how local projects can get started, and the role of councils in enabling shared energy solutions.
Thank you Electrify Southside for this wonderful event!
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.