Community batteries and distributed energy in Australia with Graeme Martin (Founder - Village Power)

Jun 25, 2025

Graeme Martin, Founder of Village Power, shares insights on the rise of community batteries in Australia. He discusses how these shared storage systems can enhance solar energy consumption and ease network strain. The conversation delves into the barriers to rollout, including regulatory challenges and the importance of consumer trust. Martin emphasizes how community engagement and innovative funding models can drive these initiatives. He also highlights the global implications of Australia's experiences in creating a more resilient energy system.

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INSIGHT

Role of Distributors' Community Batteries

Community-scale batteries primarily operated by distributors ease network strain by absorbing excess solar energy midday and discharging in peak demand.
Though customers may not see direct financial gains, these batteries enhance network resilience.

INSIGHT

Community Batteries for Resilience

Community batteries offer opportunities beyond basic network management, like improving resilience during bushfires by powering critical local infrastructure.
Community involvement in siting and usage decisions is essential to unlock these broader benefits.

ADVICE

Feasibility and Follow-Through Advice

Always conduct a detailed feasibility study covering sites, costs, roles, and risks before implementing a community battery.
Plan beyond installation to promotion and ongoing management to realize the envisioned benefits.

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As rooftop solar booms and the grid grows more complex, one question is gaining urgency: how do we store energy locally, efficiently, and in a way that benefits everyone?

Community batteries are emerging as one solution small-scale, shared storage systems designed to maximise solar self-consumption, reduce network strain, and deliver value back to neighbourhoods.

In this episode of Transmission, Wendel is joined by Graeme Martin - Founder of Village Power to take a closer look at the real-world deployment of community batteries in Australia.

From funding and grid integration to ownership models and consumer trust, this conversation explores what it takes to build energy infrastructure at street level and why that might be the key to a more resilient, inclusive electricity system.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What community batteries actually do and how they fit between household solar and grid-scale storage.
The biggest roadblocks to rollout, from regulatory complexity to grid connection delays.
Why customer experience and transparency matter, and how trust shapes participation.
The economics of local storage, including how these systems are funded and who benefits.
How community-led models can scale, and what Australia’s experience means for global grids.

About our guest

Graeme Martin is Founder and Director of Village Power, a volunteer-led community energy group based in Melbourne. With over 30 years in environmental science and geospatial consulting, Graeme has led the group’s multi-year campaign to install a community battery in Alphington/Fairfield. For more information on the work Village Power is doing - head to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.

All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.