Renewable Energy : Community Battery Dja Dja Wurrung Nation
Hepburn Energy, formerly known as Hepburn Wind, is a 100% member owned cooperative and Australia’s first community-owned wind farm located at Leonards Hill, about 100km northwest of Melbourne. They operate two wind turbines (known as Gale and Gusto). Established in 2007 and generating clean energy since 2011, the wind farm is now working towards installing solar and battery storage at the site. As a co-operative, they have 1979 shareholding members, mostly from the local region.
Hepburn Energy has secured funding for stage 1 of their battery project, to be co-located with their 2 wind turbines. The grant of $500,000 came from Round 1 of the Federal Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program. An additional zero interest loan from CORENA would assist them to relatively cheaply add additional battery capacity. The battery will support greater uptake of mid-scale renewables on the local distribution network and deliver renewable energy to be used during evening peak times. The battery will support the co-operative to avoid curtailment, manage negative pricing intervals (when there is too much renewable energy in the grid), and enable more exported clean energy. It will also underpin a future 5MW solar farm at the same site.
CORENA supports community energy projects where the benefits of the renewable energy transition go to those in the local community. Investing in battery storage will also be critical for the renewable energy transition. See below to find out from Hepburn Energy General Manager Taryn Lane, how this loan had an even bigger impact than we could have ever imagined.
Website – https://www.hepburnenergy.coop/
Loan details
Loan amount: $120,000
Loan repayments: $6,000 per quarter
Status: Fundraising
Installation date: TBD
Work Details
5MWh Community Battery
“Mid-scale community energy projects can take a long lead time to get right. As a small community organisation with limited opportunities we knew we wanted to use the opportunity of federal government grant funding of $500,000 for a minimum 500kWh community battery, as leverage to build as big a battery as was viable and that we could finance. We first contacted CORENA in May 2023 about our ambition to scale up the project and they were supportive from day 1 with the goal of adding at least $100,000 zero interest loan into the mix – and importantly, they were patient whilst we got our model and proposed scale right. We were able to attract and build on the Federal Government and CORENA funding to leverage an additional $1,000,000 of finance and deliver a 5MWh community battery at our existing wind farm – the Hepburn Energy Park in mid 2025. This was a scale 10 times larger than we originally considered. CORENA’s $120,000 loan improved our business model, and enabled us to deliver the best project for our community and co-op.”
Taryn Lane, General Manager, Hepburn Energy
Honour roll
Thankyou to the following people for donating to this project
| Date | Donor | Amount |
| 26/11/2024 | Hugh Nguyen-Mallen | $589.49 |
| 27/11/2024 | David Hamilton | $500.00 |
| 27/11/2024 | Happy Birthday Anna Childs | $29.15 |
| 27/11/2024 | Anon | $30.00 |
| 28/11/2024 | Anon | $48.84 |
| 29/11/2024 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 12/12/2024 | Tim Kerslake | $24.24 |
| 12/12/2024 | Danny M | $20.34 |
| 13/12/2024 | In memory of Iain Walker | $223.82 |
| 13/12/2024 | Tim Kerslake | $3.61 |
| 16/12/2024 | Rico | $50.00 |
| 17/12/2024 | Anon | $5,000.00 |
| 18/12/2024 | Andy & Kalene | $97.91 |
| 19/12/2024 | JT Morganti | $112.65 |
| 23/12/2024 | Manna Hill Estate | $448.57 |
| 30/12/2024 | Tim Kerslake | $6.23 |
| 31/12/2024 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 4/1/2025 | michael | $30.00 |
| 10/1/2025 | Tim Kerslake | $4.59 |
| 17/01/2025 | Tim Kerslake | $4.59 |
| 23/01/2025 | tim kerslake | $14.42 |
| 28/01/2025 | Anon | $20.00 |
| 30/01/2025 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 4/2/2025 | Tim Kerslake | $4.59 |
| 14/02/2025 | Tim Kerslake | $4.59 |
| 19/02/2025 | Tim Kerslake | $6.16 |
| 3/3/25 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 6/3/2025 | Anon | $20,000.00 |
| 17/03/2025 | Tim Kerslake | $4.59 |
| 19/03/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 24/03/2025 | Hugh Nguyen-Mallen | $43.07 |
| 24/03/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 24/03/2025 | Evil Dr Daddy | $110.48 |
| 25/03/2025 | Capri theatre repayment | $2,070.40 |
| 26/03/2025 | Ross MATTHEW Cochrane | $19.33 |
| 26/03/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 27/03/2025 | Michael Benson | $10.00 |
| 27/03/2025 | Anon | $9.48 |
| 28/03/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 28/03/2025 | Anon | $5,000.00 |
| 31/03/2025 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 31/03/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 31/03/2025 | Anon | $14.53 |
| 31/03/2025 | Anon | $45.00 |
| 31/03/2025 | Warwick Stone | $49.15 |
| 1/4/2025 | Anon | $4.59 |
| 1/4/2025 | Byron Community College repayment | $752.00 |
| 2/4/25 | Luke Walsh | $19.33 |
| 2/4/25 | Anon | $163.34 |
| 2/4/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 4/4/25 | dean | $5.00 |
| 4/4/2025 | Phil | $30.00 |
| 4/4/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 7/4/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 7/4/2025 | Anon | $15.00 |
| 08/04/2025 | Georgia C | $4.61 |
| 09/04/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 10/4/25 | Kate Hook | $19.33 |
| 11/4/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 14/04/2025 | Paulie | $25.00 |
| 14/04/2025 | Jonathan Prendergast | $5.00 |
| 14/04/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 15/04/2025 | Thad | $39.02 |
| 16/04/2025 | Jonathan Maddox | $50.00 |
| 16/04/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 17/04/2025 | Yong family | $100.00 |
| 17/04/2025 | Chris Simmons | $10.00 |
| 17/04/2025 | Mansfield Autism Statewide Services repayment | $1,500.00 |
| 21/04/2025 | Shirley | $5.00 |
| 21/04/2025 | Anon | $20.00 |
| 21/04/2025 | Anon | $2.20 |
| 21/04/2025 | Anon | $5.90 |
| 22/04/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 22/04/2025 | Dan Martens | $20.00 |
| 22/04/2025 | Michael Kubler | $15.00 |
| 22/04/2025 | GJ | $20.00 |
| 22/04/2025 | Char Grainger | $25.00 |
| 22/04/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 22/04/2025 | Mary Knoll repayment | $192.00 |
| 23/04/2025 | Hugh Nguyen-Mallen | $50.00 |
| 23/04/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 24/04/2025 | Anon | $6.56 |
| 28/04/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 28/04/2025 | Michael Benson | $10.00 |
| 28/04/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 28/04/2025 | Capri Theatre repayment | $2,070.40 |
| 30/04/2025 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 30/04/2025 | Anon | $9.48 |
| 30/04/2025 | EvilDrDaddy | $110.48 |
| 30/04/2025 | Anon | $4.59 |
| 30/04/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 2/5/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 2/5/2025 | Central Coast Steiner repayment | $2,400.00 |
| 5/5/25 | Phil | $30.00 |
| 05/05/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 05/05/2025 | Anon | $1.30 |
| 05/05/2025 | Byron Community College repayment | $752.00 |
| 06/05/2025 | Anon | $5,000.00 |
| 07/05/2025 | Anon | $100.00 |
| 07/05/2025 | Georgia C | $4.61 |
| 07/05/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 07/05/2025 | Murray Mallee Aged Care repayment | $1,040.00 |
| 08/05/2025 | Anglicare SA repayment | $4,000.00 |
| 09/05/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 09/05/2025 | Northern Agricultural Catchments Council repayment | $1,627.20 |
| 12/05/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 12/05/2025 | Paulie | $25.00 |
| 12/05/2025 | Kate Hook | $19.33 |
| 13/05/2025 | Anon | $99.57 |
| 13/05/2025 | Warwick Stone | $49.15 |
| 13/05/2025 | Anon | $4,911.30 |
| 14/05/2025 | Jonathan Prendergast | $5.00 |
| 14/05/2025 | EvilDrDaddy | $110.48 |
| 14/05/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 16/05/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 16/05/2025 | Jonathan Maddox | $50.00 |
| 19/05/2025 | Anon | $1.90 |
| 19/05/2025 | Yong family | $100.00 |
| 19/05/2025 | Dan Martens | $20.00 |
| 19/05/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 19/05/2025 | Chris Simmons | $10.00 |
| 19/05/2025 | Mansfield Autism Statewide Services repayment | $1,500.00 |
| 21/05/2025 | Shirley | $5.00 |
| 21/05/2025 | Anon | $20.00 |
| 21/05/2025 | GJ | $20.00 |
| 21/05/2025 | Char Grainger | $25.00 |
| 21/05/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 22/05/2025 | Michael Kubler | $15.00 |
| 23/05/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 23/05/2025 | Hugh Nguyen-Mallen | $50.00 |
| 26/05/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 26/05/2025 | Capri Theatre repayment | $2,070.40 |
| 26/05/2025 | Manjimup CRC repayment | $960.00 |
| 27/05/2025 | Michael Benson | $10.00 |
| 27/05/2025 | Lockington Community Care Committee repayment | $2,200.00 |
| 28/05/2025 | Anon | $150.00 |
| 28/05/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 29/05/2025 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 29/05/2025 | Evil Dr Daddy | $110.48 |
| 29/05/2025 | City of Geelong Bowls Club repayment | $2,400.00 |
| 30/05/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 30/05/2025 | Daryl Reinke | $981.93 |
| 30/05/2025 | Anon | $4.59 |
| 30/05/2025 | Byron Community College repayment | $752.00 |
| 31/05/2025 | Abbeyfield repayment | $1,200.00 |
| 02/06/2025 | Pete Millwood | $19.36 |
| 02/06/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 04/06/2025 | Phil | $30.00 |
| 04/06/2025 | Anon | $9.48 |
| 04/06/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 05/06/2025 | Sydney Basketball repayment | $1,800.00 |
| 06/06/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 06/06/2025 | Georgia C | $4.61 |
| 09/06/2025 | Anon | $20.00 |
| 09/06/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 10/06/2025 | Michael | $15.00 |
| 10/06/2025 | Barnardos repayment | $1,120.00 |
| 11/06/2025 | Robyn Drysdale | $10,000.00 |
| 11/06/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 12/06/2025 | Paulie | $25.00 |
| 12/06/2025 | Kate Hook | $19.33 |
| 12/06/2025 | Merriwa Industries repayment | $5,200.00 |
| 13/06/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 13/06/2025 | Woonona Bulli School of Arts repayment | $400.00 |
| 15/06/2025 | Anon | $4.10 |
| 16/06/2025 | Jonathan Prendergast | $5.00 |
| 16/06/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 16/06/2025 | Jonathan Maddox | $50.00 |
| 17/06/2025 | Yong family | $100.00 |
| 17/06/2025 | Chris Simmons | $10.00 |
| 17/06/2025 | Mansfield Autism Statewide Services repayment | $1,500.00 |
| 18/06/2025 | Ian Marett | $196.14 |
| 18/06/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 19/06/2025 | LPerrins | $115.00 |
| 19/06/2025 | Dan Martens | $20.00 |
| 20/06/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 21/06/2025 | Shirley | $5.00 |
| 21/06/2025 | Anon | $20.00 |
| 23/06/2025 | Michael Kubler | $15.00 |
| 23/06/2025 | GJ | $20.00 |
| 23/06/2025 | Char Grainger | $25.00 |
| 23/06/2025 | Hugh Nguyen-Mallen | $50.00 |
| 23/06/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 24/06/2025 | Greg Spedding | $30.00 |
| 25/06/2025 | CS | $491.20 |
| 25/06/2025 | CS | $491.20 |
| 25/06/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 25/06/2025 | Capri Theatre repayment | $2,070.40 |
| 26/06/2025 | Anon | $491.20 |
| 27/06/2025 | Anon | $50.00 |
| 27/06/2025 | Michael Benson | $10.00 |
| 27/06/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 30/06/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 30/06/2025 | Julie Cooke | $48.80 |
| 30/06/2025 | Michael Ellims | $52.66 |
| 01/07/2025 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 01/07/2025 | Anon | $49.15 |
| 01/07/2025 | Anon | $14.53 |
| 01/07/2025 | Anon | $49.15 |
| 01/07/2025 | Anon | $14.53 |
| 01/07/2025 | Byron Community College repayment | $752.00 |
| 02/07/2025 | Anon | $4.59 |
| 02/07/2025 | Pete Millwood | $19.36 |
| 02/07/2025 | Aidan Jones | $223.64 |
| 02/07/2025 | Anon | $48.80 |
| 02/07/2025 | Kate R | $98.00 |
| 02/07/2025 | Rob and Anna Brittle | $982.70 |
| 02/07/2025 | Anon | $196.30 |
| 02/07/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 04/07/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 04/07/2025 | Phil | $30.00 |
| 04/07/2025 | Anon | $100.00 |
| 04/07/2025 | Monica Oliphant | $75.00 |
| 05/07/2025 | Anon | $15.39 |
| 07/07/2025 | Anon | $20.00 |
| 07/07/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 08/07/2025 | Georgia C | $4.61 |
| 09/07/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 11/07/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 11/07/2025 | Kate Hook | $19.33 |
| 13/07/2025 | Anon | $2.30 |
| 14/07/2025 | Jonathan Prendergast | $5.00 |
| 14/07/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 14/07/2025 | Paulie | $25.00 |
| 14/07/2025 | Louis Borthwick-Betts | $38.98 |
| 16/07/2025 | Jonathan Maddox | $50.00 |
| 16/07/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 17/07/2025 | Yong family | $100.00 |
| 17/07/2025 | Chris Simmons | $10.00 |
| 17/07/2025 | Mansfield Autism repayment | $1,500.00 |
| 18/07/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 18/07/2025 | Central Coast Central Steiner repayment | $2,400.00 |
| 21/07/2025 | Shirley | $5.00 |
| 21/07/2025 | Ruslan Sheptolut | $20.00 |
| 21/07/2025 | Dan Martens | $20.00 |
| 21/07/2025 | GJ | $20.00 |
| 21/07/2025 | Char Grainger | $25.00 |
| 21/07/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 21/07/2025 | Mary Knoll repayment | $192.00 |
| 22/07/2025 | Michael Kubler | $15.00 |
| 23/07/2025 | Hugh Nguyen-Mallen | $50.00 |
| 23/07/2025 | Tim Kerslake | $9.50 |
| 23/07/2025 | Michael Childs | $14.42 |
| 23/07/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 25/07/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 25/07/2025 | Capri Theatre repayment | $2,070.66 |
| 28/07/2025 | Michael Benson | $10.00 |
| 28/07/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 28/07/2025 | Anon | $1.65 |
| 29/07/2025 | Michael Childs | $9.48 |
| 29/07/2025 | Northern Agricultural Catchments Council repayment | $1,627.20 |
| 30/07/2025 | Evil Dr Daddy | $110.48 |
| 30/07/2025 | Jill and John | $19.33 |
| 30/07/2025 | Anon | $48.84 |
| 30/07/2025 | Anon | $4.59 |
| 30/07/2025 | Pete Millwood | $19.36 |
| 30/07/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 01/08/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 01/08/2025 | Anon | $38.84 |
| 04/08/2025 | Phil | $30.00 |
| 04/08/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 04/08/2025 | Robert Brookes | $25.00 |
| 04/08/2025 | Phil | $30.00 |
| 05/08/2025 | Byron Community College repayment | $752.00 |
| 06/08/2025 | Georgia C | $4.61 |
| 06/08/2025 | Anon | $25.00 |
| 06/08/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 07/08/2025 | Murray Mallee Aged Care repayment | $1,040.00 |
| 07/08/2025 | Anglicare SA repayment | $4,000.00 |
| 08/08/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 11/08/2025 | Laquorious Dee | $30.00 |
| 12/08/2025 | Kate Hook | $19.33 |
| 12/08/2025 | Paulie | $25.00 |
| 13/08/2025 | Louis Borthwick-Betts | $38.98 |
| 13/08/2025 | Anon | $228.00 |
| 13/08/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 14/08/2025 | Jonathan Prendergast | $5.00 |
| 15/08/2025 | Pete61 | $5.00 |
| 18/08/2025 | Anon | $10.00 |
| 18/08/2025 | Anon | $53.97 |
| 18/08/2025 | Mansfield Autism Statewide Services repayment | $1,500.00 |
| 20/08/2025 | Club Italia repayment | $80.00 |
| 25/08/2025 | Manjimup CRC repayment | $960.00 |
| 29/08/2025 | Jill and John | $19.33 |