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Phillip Island community in action

Phillip Island community in action

In June 2018 Totally Renewable Phillip Island (TRPI) was formed during a public forum attended by more than 200 people.  At that gathering, a unanimous decision was made to set a target for 100% renewable energy and to be net-zero carbon by 2030.  Mondo was also pleased to contribute to that gathering.  Since that time, the member groups have worked hard to action that ambition with many renewable and carbon focused activities related to soil carbon, storage, active transport, waste minimisation and efficiency.

The Victorian Government has also awarded the Energy Innovation Cooperative, in partnership with TRPI and Mondo, up to $550,000 in grants through the Neighbourhood Battery Initiative grant program, to conduct feasibility studies and trials. The first grant (Stream One) is a Feasibility Study to consider installing up to ten street-level low voltage batteries to further stabilise the Island’s power and increase the electricity network’s capacity to host additional renewable energy.

The second funding stream (Stream Two) will trial ways electricity tariffs can be used in combination with the PICESS to provide local people ‘virtual storage.’ Both initiatives will include a substantial community outreach program to seek diverse views on community energy and will be the basis for future innovations. The studies will also consider ways in which batteries can be used to support homes that cannot afford privately-owned solar and battery systems.  AusNet Services and Mondo are working with community groups Totally Renewable Phillip Island (TRPI) and the Energy Innovation Cooperative (EI Coop) to understand how a larger battery storage system can not only stabilise the energy supply but also create value for the residents of Phillip Island.

 

Find out more about the project