Community resilience batteries delivered for regional towns
SA Power Networks has installed community resilience batteries in Kimba and Hawker, designed to provide backup support during a major power outage.
Housed at the Kimba Districts Football and Netball Club and the Hawker Community Sports Centre, it is intended the batteries will each ensure a basic temporary supply can be made available in a community hub setting, in the event of a prolonged outage.
The batteries have been jointly funded by SA Power Networks and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). They have been gifted to the local councils who, in conjunction with the sports centres, will have oversight of their use, including deciding when the centres would be open to the public for this purpose.
Kimba can traditionally experience greater impacts from severe weather events than other parts of the Eyre Peninsula, while Hawker is vulnerable to the impact of flooding. The batteries will assist in bridging the gap if SA Power Networks crews need to travel significant distances to repair damage or faults, if they are facing competing demands due to a major regional weather event, or if flooding causes access issues.
When fully charged, the batteries can provide up to eight hours of power. After a momentary cutover, they will begin supplying power automatically when no other supply is available. It is envisaged they would be used only for basic activities such as charging devices or making hot drinks, to ensure they remain accessible to as many people who need them, mitigating the impact of a prolonged power interruption for as long as possible.
District Council of Kimba CEO Deb Larwood said the community is grateful for the investment.
“This is a valuable initiative that will help strengthen our community’s resilience during power outages and support greater reliability during unexpected disruptions, particularly during extreme weather events,” she said.
Flinders Ranges CEO Sean Holden thanked SA Power Networks and the Federal Government for recognising the particular difficulties Hawker can face when it comes to prolonged outages.
“The battery will ensure the community has at least one place to go to with power and is particularly important for our more vulnerable citizens during the cold and the heat."
SA Power Networks is installing a total of eight community resilience batteries across South Australia, under the partnership with ARENA. The first two were installed at Robe and Lameroo earlier this year.
SA Power Networks External Affairs Manager Cecilia Schutz said the batteries represent an important commitment to regional and remote communities.
“We respond to all sudden outages as quickly and safely as we can, but we know that for some of our regional communities, distance can make them more prolonged than we would like,” Ms Schutz said. “We hope these batteries can ease some of the disruption and inconvenience while our people work hard to restore supply.”
South Australians are urged to always have a power outage plan and keep it up to date. Advice and resources for preparing a plan can be found on the SA Power Networks website, Have a Power Outage Plan.