Thank you for your recent contributions on this project which has informed the following feasibility reports (read more under the ‘Active Energy Precincts Project’ dropdown tab)

Alongside these recommendations for future microgrid implementation, the project team was able to install a 108kWh battery at Healesville Community Link. You can read more details here

Yarra Ranges Council is one of three Councils partnering with Monash University and Birdwood Energy to undertake a feasibility study on powering two communities using microgrids or an Active Energy Precinct.

Each microgrid will aim to virtually connect a few businesses/community facilities and approximately 20 homes into a microgrid that includes local renewable generation and energy storage.

This project will be funded as part of Monash University's ‘Active Energy Precincts: Building Stronger Regional Communities Project’ which has recieved $1.934 million from the Federal Government's Regional and Remote Microgrid Reliability Fund.

Who can participate?

The survey is open to residents and small business owners in Healesville and Yarra Junction. These two communities have been selected for this feasibility study as the locations include Council-owned facilities that can be activated as emergency relief and recovery centres and are close to other essential services such as banks, shops etc.

If you don’t live in these areas but wish to express your interest in the study, please email us.

An interconnected network for electricity delivery from producers to consumers over a wide area is known as an energy grid. A microgrid is a scaled down version of an energy grid; it operates on a local scale to connect businesses and homes to nearby energy resources such as solar panels and battery storage.

Power from mains networks can be disrupted for many reasons including power shortages or cuts, scheduled maintenance or damage to the infrastructure as a result of storms or fires. This leaves community members without power, sometimes for extensive periods.

Microgrids can be powered by generators, batteries and/or renewable resources such as solar panels, enabling them to disconnect from the wider energy grid and continue powering homes and businesses.

If a microgrid is fuelled by renewable energy it can enhance energy resilience during emergency events and can potentially reduce energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels.

A microgrid:

• coordinates local energy resources – including renewable energy sources – to provide secure and reliable electricity locally
• can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously
• can improve community resilience by providing backup at times of emergencies
• can be used to reduce costs or provide services back to the main grid
• can help communities reach net-zero emissions.

Privacy collection notice:

The survey is being conducted by Monash University for and on behalf of 3 participating Councils, for the purpose of collecting feedback for the Project. The information collected in this survey is transmitted and stored securely in Australia using Zoho . If you provide a survey answer, you consent to the storage of your survey answer by Zoho and its use by the participating Councils. In certain circumstances, personal information may be disclosed where permitted or authorised under the PDP Act or other applicable law. Zoho's Privacy Policy | Zoho's Terms of Service

Yarra Ranges Council Privacy Policy.
Policies of each of the participating Councils can be viewed on their respective websites.