July has been an exciting month at YEF.
Officially launching our Sustainable Apartments Program in partnership with City of Port Phillip (CoPP). This new initiative is already well underway, and we're looking forward to working closely with apartment communities to support their electrification journey.
Alongside this milestone, it's been another busy month across the organisation with community events. Here's a look at what we've been up to:
- Brimbank community battery launch
- Engaging communities on electrification through Sport & Spark
- Clifton Hill community battery & EV charger visit
LAUNCHING | City of Port Phillip Sustainable Apartments Program
YEF is pleased to be supporting the City of Port Phillip to deliver their Sustainable Apartments Program.
Electrifying apartment buildings presents unique challenges, from navigating owners corporation decision-making to accommodating different building designs and shared infrastructure. Through this pilot, YEF will work with apartment communities to help identify practical pathways towards electrification and EV readiness, while gaining valuable insights into the barriers and opportunities facing apartment residents.
The Sustainable Apartments Program will support 10 apartment complexes by providing:
- Energy and EV charging assessments
- Tailored electrification roadmaps
- Ongoing support to help apartment communities navigate the planning and decision-making process
The program will provide valuable learnings to inform future apartment electrification initiatives and help build the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to support more apartment communities as they transition to all-electric living.=
LAUNCHING | Brimbank community battery
Brimbank City Council launched its first community battery in Sunshine West on 16 July 2026. The launch was attended by several Brimbank Councillors, along with Kate Thwaites MP, Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, and Dr Daniel Mulino MP, Member for Fraser.
The 500kWh battery was funded through a $500,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Community Battery for Household Solar Program and delivered by Brimbank City Council with the support of project partners Powercor, Energus, Snowy Energy, and Yarra Energy Foundation.
The battery will support the transition to renewable energy by absorbing excess solar during the day and releasing it back to the grid during evening peak periods, when demand is highest. It will also enable more local solar generation, strengthen grid resilience, reduce emissions, and put downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.
REPORTING | Sport & Spark events | July
Sport & Spark has continued to build momentum, with our fifth event taking place this July in partnership with the Melbourne City FC Community Club. A huge congratulations to the club and everyone involved in delivering such a fantastic event. It was wonderful to see the local community come together to connect, take part in the day's activities and learn more about the benefits of improving household energy efficiency.
We're excited to keep the momentum going, with our next events taking place in August with Yarraville Seddon Eagles, Point Cook Football Club and Northern BMX. We look forward to these great community events and will be sharing more highlights from the program in the coming months.
YEF is working in partnership with community sports clubs across Hobsons Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Whittlesea and Wyndham to engage households on home electrification through community sports events and activities.
YEF has been awarded funding from the Victorian Government to deliver this initiative has a part of the Cheaper Home Electric Energy Program.
VISITING | Clifton Hill community battery & EV charger site
YEF and the team from the Victorian Government's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) recently celebrated the successful launch and running of the Clifton Hill Neighbourhood Battery & Accessible EV Charging Bays with a site visit.
Outside of official proceedings, it was great to connect with the team from DEECA, who supported YEF during the development and construction of this innovative project. A huge thank you to the team for their collaboration throughout the project. We're excited to see the positive impact the project will have on the community for years to come.
The project is trialling how battery storage and EVs can operate together to reduce demand on the electricity grid and encourage charging when solar generation is highest, often when emissions and energy prices are lowest.
The neighbourhood battery was funded by a $750,000 Victorian Government grant through the Neighbourhood Battery Initiative (NBI).
ATTENDING | Free information session hosted by 1KOMMA5° | Tuesday 28 July 2026 | 5-7pm
If you’re in Melbourne and looking to learn more about energy efficiency, electrification and how to keep your home warm during Winter, 1KOMMA5° are holding a free event later this month, with Tim Forcey.
The Event:
Want a home that's more comfortable to live in while reducing your energy bills? Join 1KOMMA5° for an evening of practical advice on creating a warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient home with guest presenter, Tim Forcey, author of the bestselling My Efficient Electric Home Handbook.
- Where: 1KOMMA5° Melbourne Showroom, 2 Rich Street, Abbotsford
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: Register here for the 1KOMMA5° event
SHARING | Our Services
Find out more about the services that Yarra Energy Foundation offers including:
- 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.