Looking to cut your power bills, boost your home’s energy efficiency or figure out if your electric car can power your house? A free community event in Armidale this Thursday night promises to demystify the world of battery storage and help locals tap into the new federal rebate for home batteries.
Renewable Energy Storage for the Home: Home, Community and Electric Vehicle Batteries is on Thursday, July 10 from 5:15pm to 7pm at NOVA, 122 Faulkner Street. There’s also an option to tune in online for those who prefer to learn from the comfort of home. Everyone’s welcome—homeowners, renters, tradies, community groups, and the battery-curious.
It’s perfect timing, coming just days after the launch of the federal government’s $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The scheme, which started on July 1, offers up to 30 per cent off the upfront cost of battery installations for eligible households and businesses.
“This event is all about empowering locals to take control of their energy future,” said Trevor Brown, convenor of Electrify Armidale. “We want to make it easier for people to understand their energy storage options, reduce bills, and get involved in the shift to renewables – whether that is installing a home battery, using your EV to power your home, or being part of a community battery project.”
From home systems and electric vehicles to community-scale storage, the session will break down how battery tech works, what it costs, and what support is available. Curious about Vehicle-to-Home or Vehicle-to-Grid technology? Wondering if a community battery might benefit your street? This is the place to find out.
The night features a star line-up of speakers ready to share their know-how and answer questions. Geoff Bragg from the Smart Energy Council will explain how home battery systems function and what the new rebate means for households. Bridie Schmidt from NRMA will explore how electric vehicles can store and supply energy using bidirectional charging technologies like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H).
Sally Hunter from Geni.Energy will discuss how communities—homes, farms and businesses—can get involved in local generation and shared storage. And Alistair Fletcher from Essential Energy will give an insider’s look at two current trials of large-scale community batteries and how they’re already helping participating customers.
“Battery storage is often talked about as the critical piece in the clean energy puzzle,” said Heidi McElnea, regional partnerships coordinator at Community Power Agency. “But it can be complex. That is why we are bringing together some experts in the field to break it down, answer questions, and connect the dots between national policy and local action. We all have a role to play in this energy shift, and it starts with understanding what is possible.”
The event is part of a broader program running across the New England region, offering practical, hands-on sessions on solar, EVs, energy efficiency and large-scale renewables. It’s supported through grant funding from the Paul Ramsay Foundation via the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s Community Led Climate Solutions program.
Admission is free, but spots are limited—register online to attend in person or grab a virtual seat.
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