Yarra Ranges Council was successfully awarded $10 Million for a $13.4M Program through the Federal Government’s Preparing Australian Communities Fund. A portion of this funding has been allocated to the Resilient Energy Precinct microgrid feasibility study in Monbulk.
This project aims to physically connect two buildings and virtually test connecting a range of other community properties into a microgrid that includes local renewable generation and energy storage.
The project will run from July 2022 to January 2024. Yarra Ranges Council is partnering with Monash University and Birdwood Energy to conduct the feasibility study, utilising their microgrid, smart energy and commercial expertise to support the project.
Community members will be engaged throughout the study duration to ensure the microgrid model accurately reflects community priorities. This includes a community survey to be released in late 2022, and a series of community workshops in 2023. A final public facing report will be produced summarising the key learnings and identify next steps.