SUSTAINABLE Upper Ovens (SUO) will be coordinating free home energy audits for residents of Bright and other parts of the upper Ovens Valley in March next year, following large community interest in a battery microgrid system proposed by the group.
The microgrid was proposed with the aim of reducing energy costs and building energy resilience during extreme weather events, and would be community-led.
SUO has been working on the battery microgrid proposal with Indigo Power, RMIT and Ausnet subsidiary Mondo.
The groups plan to collect data and build a case to obtain a grant for development of a microgrid in the Upper Ovens Valley that specifically includes homes without solar electricity production.
Acting president of SUO, Dennis Lambert, said community microgrids deliver greater energy resilience, particularly in small communities.
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“SUO held public meetings in Harrietville and Bright in October to discuss what the microgrids can achieve and how they could be implemented,” he said.
“For households, whether they are interested in energy efficiency, reduced energy costs or more sustainable use of energy, small steps can be taken by replacing household appliances with more energy efficient ones.
“The installation of solar panels on rooftops also makes a big difference.
“But for those who can’t go solar, community microgrids - involving a more innovative use of household batteries - may offer an answer.”
Mr Lambert said the home energy audits SUO will be conducting are a government sponsored program, designed to help improve the comfort levels in homes during hot or cold weather.
“They also enable households to achieve financial savings all year round,” he said.
“The home energy audits are an extension of the Cosy Homes, Cheaper Bills, Climate Ready event that SUO held in April 2023, which included energy audit support and information.
“We will provide further details about the free home energy audits early in 2025, but before then our annual general meeting will be held this month.
“Bright entrepreneur Bec Crawley will be there to share her insights on local circular economies, which are about the recycling of food and other materials into new products.”
SUO encourages interested residents to join its efforts to keep up to date on these developments.
On November 24 SUO will have its annual general meeting from 2pm to 4pm at the Bright Brewery, and all are welcome.
SOLAR GRANTS AVAILABLE
THE recent inclusion of energy company Solahart into the Solar Victoria’s Residential Electrification Grants Program means homeowners across the state can access up to $2400 off the installation of smart solar technology and efficient water heating solutions.
Solahart’s general manager, Stephen Cranch, said this includes, for the first time, Solahart PowerStore’s; Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater complete with a Solahart Home Energy Management System (HEMS).
Through Solar Victoria’s Residential Electrification Grants Program, Victorian homeowners can save $1000 when installing a Solahart PowerStore, and other energy-efficient Solahart hot water systems, such as heat pumps and solar thermal.
They can also enjoy $1400 off a new solar PV system with eligibility criteria when applying.
For more information about the SVREG program, visit www.solar.vic.gov.au/electrificationgrants.
