Grants up to $400,000 to support installation of 100 neighbourhood-scale batteries to improve energy reliability and provide energy storage capacity for locally generated solar power.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program (100NB)?
The 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program (Round 2) is an initiative by the Victorian Government, administered by the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA). This program provides grants to support the installation of 100 neighbourhood-scale batteries across Victoria, aimed at improving energy reliability, providing energy storage for locally generated solar power, and reducing energy costs for consumers.
The program offers funding through three streams:
- Stream 1: Delivering network and community benefits – Supports projects that provide benefits to both the electricity network and the local community.
- Stream 2: Delivering community benefits – Focuses on projects that offer significant advantages to the local community.
- Stream 3: Delivering energy resilience – Funds projects that implement energy back-up systems to ensure power supply during grid outages.
100NB level of support
The total funding available under Round 2 of the program is up to $15 million. Applicants can apply for funding of up to $400,000 per neighbourhood battery project.
- Minimum Funding: There is no specified minimum funding amount per battery project.
- Maximum Funding: Up to $400,000 per battery.
Co-Contribution Requirements:
The program requires different levels of cash co-contribution depending on the stream:
- Stream 1: Delivering network and community benefits requires a co-contribution of at least 30% of the requested grant amount.
- Stream 2: Delivering community benefits requires a co-contribution of at least 10% of the requested grant amount.
- Stream 3: Delivering energy resilience requires a co-contribution of at least 5% of the requested grant amount.
For example, a project seeking $400,000 in funding under Stream 2 would need to secure a minimum co-contribution of $40,000.
100NB important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
100NB objectives and outcomes
The primary objectives of the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program are to:
- Pass on the benefits of local renewable energy and energy storage to consumers, including lowering household energy bills.
- Increase energy reliability and resilience within communities.
- Reduce costs associated with network upgrades.
- Enable communities to contribute personally to Victoria’s energy transition.
- Scale up the delivery of operational models for neighbourhood-scale batteries.
Projects and expenditure eligible for 100NB support
The program funds projects under three main streams:
- Delivering network and community benefits – Projects must implement one or more neighbourhood batteries, providing benefits to both the electricity network and the local community.
- Delivering community benefits – Projects must implement one or more neighbourhood batteries with benefits specifically for the local community.
- Delivering energy resilience – Projects must implement energy back-up systems capable of continuing to supply power to publicly accessible buildings during grid outages. Each system must include an eligible neighbourhood battery.
Projects seeking funding must ensure that each battery installed is a chemical battery with a minimum size of 20kW/40kWh and a maximum of 5MW/20MWh.
Examples of neighbourhood battery operating models:
- Solar sponge: Charge your battery during the day (when solar generation is at its peak) and discharge it in the evening, when energy is most in demand and expensive.
- Market participation: Your community can make money from your battery in two ways: capitalising on energy price difference opportunities and/or supporting the energy network.
- Services-based: You can deliver local network benefits depending on where you site and how you operate your battery. Examples include helping to increase your local energy network’s resilience and reducing the risk of network failures.
- Community support services: You can use a battery to benefit your community. You could install it in a neighbourhood house, sporting club, library, or even use it to charge EVs.
- Resilience model: You can use a battery, combined with solar panels, a generator and switching equipment, to provide resilience to an essential community building.
The 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program will not fund the following activities:
- Business as usual costs, including salaries and wages for personnel not directly employed on the project.
- Routine or ongoing maintenance activities.
- Land acquisition and related expenses.
- Expenditure on other projects.
- Projects that have already commenced construction.
- Use of new or nascent technologies that are lower than Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9.
- Feasibility studies or business cases.
- Projects that do not include installation of a neighbourhood battery.
- Installation, operation, or maintenance of generation technologies (e.g., solar panels, diesel generators) under Streams 1 and 2.
- Activities located outside the State of Victoria.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible and ineligible for 100NB support.
Other 100NB important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for 100NB support
Eligible applicants include:
- Public entities
- Private sector businesses and agencies
- Educational institutions
- Local government authorities
- Co-operatives
- Not-for-profit organisations
The lead organisation in any application must be an incorporated body, co-operative, or association and must be financially solvent, with at least three years of operating history.
100NB assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Alignment with the program’s intended outcomes (30% weighting)
- Applicant capability and capacity (20% weighting)
- Project business case, including project design, schedule, and budget (30% weighting)
- Value for money, including expected return on investment (20% weighting)
How do I get the 100NB?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Projects seeking funding must ensure that each battery installed is a chemical battery with a minimum size of 20kW/40kWh and a maximum of 5MW/20MWh. Additionally, projects must quantify the benefits to the community and/or network over the lifetime of the battery.
Information to prepare for the 100NB application
Before applying, ensure you have the following documents ready:
- Project Plan
- Budget (using DEECA’s template)
- Project Delivery Schedule
- Risk Management Log
- Financial Model
- Three years of financial records for the lead organisation
- Letters of support from participating organisations (if relevant)
Applying for the 100NB
Submit your application via the DEECA application portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
100NB resources
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