Renewable Energy : Community Battery Dja Dja Wurrung Nation
Hepburn Energy, formerly known as Hepburn Wind, is Australia’s first community-owned wind farm and a 100% member-owned co-operative. Located in Leonards Hill, about 100 km northwest of Melbourne, the site features two wind turbines, named Gale and Gusto. Since its establishment in 2007 and energy generation starting in 2011, the organisation has been working towards expanding its clean energy capabilities.
The co-operative has 1,979 shareholding members, primarily from the local area.
Hepburn Energy recently secured funding for Stage 1 of its battery storage project, which will be co-located with the existing wind turbines. This includes a $500,000 grant from Round 1 of the Federal Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program, and a zero-interest loan from CORENA, which helped them affordably increase the battery’s capacity.
Battery storage is essential for the renewable energy transition. This battery will enable more mid-scale renewable energy to connect to the local grid, help shift clean energy use to evening peak periods, and reduce curtailment during times of oversupply or negative pricing. The battery will also support the development of a future 5MW solar farm at the same location.
CORENA funds community energy projects where local communities benefit directly from the renewable energy transition. Our initial goal for this project was $100,000 but thanks to our generous donors we were able to increase this to $120,000.
Scroll down to find out from Taryn Lane, General Manager at Hepburn Energy, how this loan had an even greater impact than anyone expected!
Website – https://www.hepburnenergy.coop/
Loan details
Loan amount: $120,000
Loan repayments: $6,000 per quarter
Status: Loan issued
Installation date: Installed and awaiting commissioning
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 |