By Dongyun Kwon
Badger Creek Hall (BCH) will be able to upgrade its solar system thanks to AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund.
Ultimately, the BCH committee is planning to use the hall as a Community Resilience Hub in events of severe weather or power outages.
BCH committee member Adam Cole said they have two priorities with the grant.
“We want to eliminate our energy bills by increasing our solar system from 3kW to 9kW and adding a 13kW house battery,” he said.
“In addition to that, we already have purchased a diesel generator, so with the upgrade of the solar system and the installation of the generator, we will be able to provide an off-grid safe haven for our community in the event of storms or long-term power outages.”
Badger Creek has a community of almost 2000 households.
Badger Creek residents were traumatised by recent storms and prolonged power outages, which left them at risk without access to medication.
“We didn’t have anything last time for about five days when there was a long-term power outage a couple of years ago,” Mr Cole said.
BCH will receive $24,925 through this grant program.
Mr Cole said given the location of Badger Creek Hall next to Badger Creek CFA, the Community Resilience Hub would bring a big synergy effect.
“The fire brigade has got excellent communication facilities and generator for backup power,” he said.
“We feel if the community needs a safe haven during the power outage, the dual sites of the CFA as well as the hall will be able to provide people with communication, power, heat and refrigeration for medicine.”
AusNet established the $12 million Energy Resilience Community Fund following the storms in February this year, and $3 million has already been distributed to help support impacted communities.
AusNet executive general manager distribution Andrew Linnie said the company is pleased to be able to help make a difference through the Fund.
“The Energy Resilience Community Fund was created to enable projects that will build long-term community energy resilience and provide support to communities during the recovery phase of severe weather events which significantly impact the network,” he said.
