Residents across the New England region are being invited to help shape the future of local renewable energy through a new University of New England research project exploring neighbourhood-scale community batteries.
Researchers are seeking community members and local stakeholders aged 18 and over to participate in focus groups and interviews about how community batteries could work in local towns and what benefits they should deliver to residents.
The project covers Armidale, Guyra, Uralla, Walcha, Tamworth and surrounding communities.
Why your input matters
Community batteries have the potential to support renewable energy, reduce pressure on the electricity grid and create local benefits — but researchers say community input is essential to ensuring future projects are fair, practical and aligned with local priorities.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Share their views on renewable energy and community batteries
- Discuss what fair and transparent energy projects look like
- Explore how communities should benefit from future energy investments
- Help inform future local energy planning and decision-making
Flexible ways to participate
Participants can take part in a relaxed 45-minute focus group or interview, either in person in Armidale or online. Sessions will be led by academic researchers, with light refreshments provided at in-person events.
The research has received ethics approval from the University of New England (Ethics Approval No. HE-2026-3094-5624, valid until 30 April 2027).
Get involved here – https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3kh46MtUvyVbfYG
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