Living Choice Australia has partnered with energy solutions provider Active Utilities to deliver large-scale community batteries at its Fullarton and Flagstaff Hill retirement villages in Adelaide – part of a push to give residents cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy.
The Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), now switched on, store excess solar energy generated onsite for use during peak demand periods and can export surplus power back to the grid for others to use.
Announcing the rollout at Flagstaff Hill, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the batteries will “cut down energy bills, not just for those living in the villages, but for renters and home-owners alike and regardless of if they have solar. With one in three homes having rooftop solar, community batteries are the next stage in ensuring everyone gets the benefit of the energy transformation.”
At Flagstaff Hill, the installation features two Sungrow batteries with a combined capacity of 330kW/916kWh, fully integrated into the village’s Local Energy Network. Active Utilities led the project, engaging YES Group for installation, and connected the batteries to Hydro Tasmania’s Virtual Power Plant, managed by Momentum Energy, to optimise energy use and savings.
Active Utilities CEO Lisa Dowie said the installation marks an important step in delivering smarter, community-focused energy solutions. “We are driven by creating cost-effective, intelligent, and sustainable solutions to build strong, connected communities and battery storage is a key component.”
Living Choice Group General Manager Jason Sack said the initiative reflects the operator’s proactive approach to sustainability and resident wellbeing. “We’re proud to be part of a project that brings real, long-term benefits to our residents,” he said.
The project forms part of a broader rollout of community batteries in South Australia, supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Advancing Renewables Program. More batteries are planned for other Living Choice villages, with some already operational and the remainder expected by March 2026.
South Australia currently generates over 70% of its electricity from renewable sources and is aiming for 100% net renewables by 2027.
