It is a great shame and disappointment that the public who have questioned the positioning of the community battery, which was to be installed in the council car park, had not done a little more investigation and understanding of the project, before stalling its installation at the eleventh hour.
The battery fires which concerned people have been in the smaller batteries, used in e-scooters and other small appliances, not large-scale batteries, which our community battery was to be.
From media reports some of these fires have been caused by people modifying batteries to their detriment.
It does appear a little hypercritical for the Public School P and C to worry about the battery being installed across the road from the school, when they have a large gas tank, positioned in the school grounds.
Whilst investigating a home battery system for our home, we enquired as to the possibility of a battery fire to which our installer replied: “I have been installing batteries in England and America for years, and have never ever heard of a fire to date.”
Our proposed community battery has built in safety measures which include smoke and heat detectors.
Meanwhile the take up of solar/batteries at Narrabri homes is quietly taking place, increasing with each month.
With the return of Labor to government, it has seen the inquiries for installing batteries at homes, go through the roof literally.
This has been helped by a rebate scheme which could see home owners save up to $4000, along with state incentives.
Community batteries are important because they provide more equitable energy storage.
Households with solar/batteries are in an enviable situation, being able to harness their excess power, using it at night time, when power prices are at their highest.
Households with this capability, are helping the grid to cope in peak demand periods.
If a million batteries were installed in Australia, peak power prices would save $1.3 billion every year on wholesale power prices.
It is projected we could see over one million new batteries installed by 2030.
The community battery means better use of our local solar, new local benefits, new business in a new sector with a stronger future and growth for Narrabri.
Let’s not lose this asset, and be left behind in this incredibly exciting renewable energy sector.
It is to be hoped that Narrabri Council get educated, and re-look at this investment in our community, approving this much anticipated project.
Judy Pownall
Narrabri
