Merewether Power Pole-Mounted Battery

Friday, 22 September 2023

Ausgrid installs Newcastle's first power pole-mounted battery

This Newcastle battery marks the third installation in the trial of pole-mounted batteries in overhead network areas taking place across the Hunter and Central Coast. 

Ausgrid has unveiled the first power pole-mounted battery in the City of Newcastle, located at Henderson Park in Merewether, as part of a trial that is looking at the viability of small pole-mounted batteries to support the network. 

Ausgrid crews installing power pole-mounted battery in Henderson Park, Merewether.

With a 65kWh capacity, these batteries are playing an important role in better understanding the range of flexible solutions that are available to support renewable energy growth. This battery will assist the grid in maintaining the quality of local power supply, while allowing more Newcastle residents to put solar on their homes.

Junayd Hollis, Ausgrid’s Group Executive of Customer, Assets & Digital, said Ausgrid is already planning to expand the trial. 

“We are testing the ability of pole-mounted battery systems to provide grid support by storing energy locally, thus applying downward pressure on energy prices by avoiding costly network upgrades. This trial complements Ausgrid’s wider community battery program, which has delivered four batteries so far, most recently in Cabarita,” said Hollis.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the pole-mounted battery installation is a welcome addition towards the city’s sustainability developments and renewable energy goals.  

"We support Ausgrid in improving their network, through battery projects such as this one being trialled in Merewether West, so that we can continue to grow our community renewable energy capacity."

The trial pole-mounted batteries, manufactured by EcoJoule Energy, support all properties connected to the local distribution network.

For more information about pole-mounted batteries visit our Innovation Profile.