Every Australian home and business have experienced a blackout. Whether it be a planned outage due to work in the area or an unplanned blackout due to bushfires, storms, or other events. When the power goes out, the little things we take for granted are suddenly thrown into chaos. No power means no TV, refrigeration, air conditioning, charging of devices, or even cooking – for those without gas. Extended power outages can be intolerable and even life-threatening for some.
Backup generators have historically been prohibitive for most. They’re expensive, noisy, limited to what they can connect to, and require fuel to run. Solar batteries have been an accessible alternative and require no manual action to run when needed. However, not all solar systems and batteries are the same. The battery you invest in should be able to be replenished by your solar panels while the sun shines and the grid is down. Let’s take a look how your home can stay powered on during Blackouts. This blog covers grid-connected systems only, which are different to off-grid systems.
Is Your Home Prepared for Grid Failures?
The very large majority of homes are connected to the grid which can be damaged by wind and lightning strikes, leaving homes completely without power for a temporary time until the network is restored.
As incidents like these occur due to weather, increasing demand, and aging electrical infrastructure, it only highlights the importance for homes and businesses to become more self-reliant with their energy.
Causes of Power Outages in Australia
1. Extreme Weather Events
Australia experiences severe weather conditions, including bushfires, storms, cyclones, and heatwaves, which can damage power lines and substations. High winds, lightning strikes, and fallen trees often result in widespread outages.
2. Infrastructure Failures
Ageing power infrastructure, particularly in older parts of the country, increases the risk of faults and failures. Transformers, transmission lines, and substations require regular maintenance, and unexpected breakdowns can lead to outages.
3. Demand Overload
During peak periods, such as summer heatwaves, the demand for electricity can exceed supply, leading to rolling blackouts or forced outages to prevent grid failures.
4. Planned Maintenance and Upgrades
Energy providers schedule maintenance and upgrades, sometimes requiring temporary power shutdowns. These planned outages are necessary for long-term grid reliability but can cause short-term disruptions.
5. Cybersecurity Threats
With an increasing reliance on digital infrastructure, cyberattacks targeting power grids pose a growing risk. A successful attack on critical infrastructure could result in prolonged power outages.
What is Battery Storage and How does it fit?
Solar Battery storage is simply a battery that is connected to your home, similar to a UPS, but specifically designed to provide power when most needed, like power outages.
By installing a battery storage system in addition to your solar, you turn your property into a Microgrid. Depending on whether your system is AC or DC-coupled, homes can not only produce their own power but store it and use it during outages seamlessly.
In this situation, your solar power produces power daily, and any excess is fed into the battery. Once the sun is down, you continue to rely on sustainable energy as if it were being generated.
This reduces your grid reliance, not just during the day, but at peak hours when electricity is at its most expensive. It's a simple combination of reducing costs and having a 24/7 backup energy source.
Benefits of Batteries During a Blackout
Power outages can strike unexpectedly due to extreme weather, infrastructure failures, or other unforeseen circumstances. In Australia, bushfires, storms, and heatwaves can place significant strain on the electricity grid, leading to frequent blackouts. Having a reliable backup power source is crucial, and batteries provide a dependable solution with numerous advantages over traditional generators. Here are some key benefits of using batteries during a blackout in Australia.
1. Immediate Power Supply
Unlike generators, which often require manual startup and fuel availability, battery backup systems provide instant power as soon as the electricity goes out. This seamless transition helps maintain essential appliances, lighting, and communication devices without disruption, which is especially important during natural disasters like bushfires or cyclones.
2. Quiet and Clean Operation
Traditional generators can be noisy and produce harmful emissions. Batteries, on the other hand, operate silently and do not emit carbon monoxide or other pollutants. This makes them a safer and more environmentally friendly choice for indoor and residential use, aligning with Australia's push toward cleaner energy solutions.
3. Lower Maintenance Requirements
Battery backup systems require significantly less maintenance compared to fuel-powered generators. There are no moving parts, oil changes, or fuel storage concerns, making them a hassle-free solution for long-term reliability. Given Australia’s remote regions and vast distances between service centres, a low-maintenance solution is a major advantage.
4. Renewable Energy Integration
Many modern battery systems can integrate with solar panels, allowing Australians to store excess solar energy for use during a blackout. With abundant sunshine throughout the year, solar-battery systems provide a sustainable and cost-effective power source, reducing dependence on the grid and maximizing renewable energy use.
5. Cost Savings Over Time
While the initial investment in a battery backup system may be higher than a generator, long-term savings on fuel, maintenance, and grid electricity make it a cost-effective option. Some Australian states offer government incentives and rebates for installing battery storage, making the transition even more financially viable.
6. Safe and Indoor-Friendly
Gas-powered generators must be placed outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Batteries, however, can be safely installed indoors without ventilation concerns, providing a convenient and safer alternative, especially in high-density urban areas like Sydney and Melbourne.
7. Scalability and Customization
Battery storage solutions come in various sizes and capacities, allowing Australians to customize their setup based on power needs. Whether you need a small backup for essential appliances or a larger system to power an entire home, batteries offer flexible solutions to suit different lifestyles and energy demands.
8. Grid Independence and Energy Security
With increasing power grid vulnerabilities due to extreme weather events and rising energy costs, having a battery backup enhances energy security and independence. Households and businesses can continue operations without relying on unpredictable grid availability, ensuring peace of mind during emergencies.
Ways to Check for Power Outages in Australia
1. Electricity Provider Websites
Most electricity providers in Australia have dedicated outage maps and real-time status updates on their websites. Major providers include:
- Ausgrid (NSW) : https://www.ausgrid.com.au/Outages/Outage-List-View
- Energex (QLD) : https://www.energex.com.au/outages/outage-finder/planned-outages-text-view
- Essential Energy (NSW) : https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults/power-outages
- SA Power Networks (SA) : https://www.sapowernetworks.com.au/outages/
- Western Power (WA) : https://www.westernpower.com.au/outages/
- Powercor (VIC) : https://www.powercor.com.au/power-outages-and-emergencies/full-outage-list/
- Endeavour Energy (NSW) : https://www.endeavourenergy.com.au/outages/current-power-outages/
2. Power Outage Maps
Several organizations provide interactive outage maps where you can enter your location to check for ongoing power disruptions. These maps are typically available on:
- Government energy websites
- State-specific electricity distributor websites
- Energy regulator platforms
3. Mobile Apps
Many electricity providers offer mobile apps that provide real-time outage notifications, updates, and estimated restoration times. Apps like Outages Near Me or individual provider apps can be valuable tools for staying updated.
4. Social Media Updates
Electricity distributors and emergency services frequently post updates on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Following your local provider’s social media accounts can give you timely information about outages and restoration efforts.
5. Calling Your Provider
If you cannot access online resources, you can contact your electricity provider’s outage hotline to report or inquire about power outages. Most providers have dedicated emergency contact numbers.
Which Batteries Work Efficiently During Power Outages?
1. Neovolt Battery
Neovolt is a renowned brand in the energy storage industry, known for producing high-quality, efficient, and durable battery systems. These batteries are designed to store excess energy generated by solar panels, allowing homeowners to use solar power even when the sun isn’t shining. Among the top contenders in the market, Neovolt Batteries have garnered attention for their exceptional performance and innovative features. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, Neovolt Batteries are quickly becoming a preferred choice for energy-savvy Australians.
The Neovolt is a single-phase all-in-one system, combining battery and hybrid inverter. It's a 10.1kWh battery (9.6kWh usable capacity) based on Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4) chemistry with the choice of two inverter capacities - 3.6kW (BW-INV-SPH3.6K) and 5kW (BW-INV-SPH5K). The Neovolt can provide surge backup power of 7.36kW or 10kW depending on the inverter model in use, and up to 6 systems can be linked in parallel.
One of the standouts features of Neovolt Batteries is their high energy density. This means they can store a substantial amount of energy in a relatively compact space, making them ideal for urban Sydney homes where space is often limited. This high energy density ensures that homeowners can maximize their solar energy usage without requiring extensive storage space.
2. Tesla Powerwall 3
The Tesla Powerwall 3 specifications offer a major power upgrade, with a maximum continuous discharge of 11.04 kW, more than double the 5 kW capacity of the Powerwall 2. This 120% increase allows the Powerwall 3 to handle high-energy appliances like air conditioners and heat pumps, making it highly effective during power outages.
The Tesla Powerwall 3 offers 13.5 kWh of storage capacity. If your household uses 20-25 kWh per day, a single Powerwall 3 can deliver 6 to 8 hours of power during an outage. Actual battery backup system duration depends on your specific energy usage and consumption habits.
The Powerwall 3 is designed to both charge from the grid and send power back to the grid, making it useful for home energy management and grid support. However, as of now, it does not support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in Australia. This means it cannot use an electric vehicle’s battery to power your home or feed energy back to the grid. This limitation aligns with current regulations and Tesla’s current focus on grid-tied home energy storage, rather than integrating vehicle batteries into the home energy ecosystem in the Australian market. This functionality is likely to come into play in the future.
3. Alpha ESS SMILE
Energy storage manufacturer Alpha ESS was established in 2012. A Chinese company, it has offices in Australia, the UK, Germany and Italy.
In Australia, the main Alpha-ESS product line is the Storion SMILE5. This is an all-in-one unit, meaning the system includes batteries, a battery management system (BMS) and an inverter.
The battery modules used in the Storion SMILE5 are lithium iron phosphate chemistry; widely considered the safest type of lithium-ion battery technology. As far as we're aware, Alpha-ESS still sources battery modules from another Chinese company, EVE, which has been in the battery business since 2001.
The Storion SMILE5 range is available in various capacities and AC/DC/Hybrid coupling options are available. As for power output, the SMILE5 series offers 5kW. This unit does have blackout protection capabilities.
In the past, Alpha ESS SMILE battery systems had a 10-year warranty on their batteries, but the rest of the system - including all the electronics required to operate the batteries - only had a 5-year warranty.
The good news is, Alpha ESS has improved their warranty. Their SMILE battery systems installed from the 1st of November 2024 now have a warranty that covers the entire unit for 10 years or until 3,120kWh of stored energy is discharged for each kWh of battery storage the unit has.
4. Fox ESS
The stunning All-In-One storage system from Fox is an advanced battery storage system available in AC-Coupled and Hybrid variants. It is contained in one compact and stylish floor mounted unit.
The All-In-One storage system from Fox doesn’t just look the part, it delivers on power and performance too. The unit contains a high-voltage charge controller able to deliver up to 6kW of continuous charge and discharge. A high-performance, high-efficiency All-In-One system with 10.4kWh of storage capacity.
Fox Ess is a brand of lithium-ion solar batteries that are designed to store excess solar energy for use at a later time. These batteries are a part of the Fox Energy group, which is a UK-based company that provides renewable energy solutions for both residential and commercial customers.
One of the key features of Fox Ess solar batteries is their compact size. These batteries are designed to be space-efficient, making them a good option for homeowners who have limited space for a solar battery system. Fox Ess solar batteries are also lightweight, making them easier to install and transport.
In terms of performance, Fox Ess solar batteries are known for their high energy density and long lifespan. These batteries can store a large amount of energy in a small space, and they are designed to last for up to 15 years with proper maintenance.
Fox Ess solar batteries are compatible with a range of solar panel systems, and they offer several different options for homeowners to choose from based on their energy needs and budget.
5. Sungrow Battery (SBR HV)
Sungrow is a giant Chinese company and the world's largest inverter manufacturer. They also make home batteries that are a popular choice here thanks to a combination of affordability and reliability.
Sungrow was founded in 1997 by RenXian Cao, a professor at Hefei University of Technology. He has degrees in electrical engineering and automation, so the boss clearly knows his stuff. Since then, the company has grown enormously but sustainably. Not only do they make products required for the world to switch to renewables, but they've also maintained financial sustainability.
Sungrow's current residential battery is the SBR HV. This has stackable battery modules with 3.2 kWh of usable storage each. There's a 3-module minimum and that amount gives 9.6 kWh of usable storage, which will be enough for many households. If you want more, up to 8 modules can be stacked on top of each other for 25.6 kWh. Few households will need that much, but if you want even more, up to four stacks can be connected in parallel for over 100 kWh of usable storage.
Sungrow uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) battery cells. This is the safest type of lithium battery. But to actually be safe, they need to be part of a well-designed battery system. Fortunately, the Sungrow SBR HV does appear to be safe, as many have been installed in Australia without issue. A major reason the Sungrow SBR HV is a popular choice is its competitive price. It's a lower-cost battery but reliable enough for us to recommend.
In a vote of confidence for the SBR HV, Sungrow scored 2nd place in SolarQuotes Installers Choice Awards 2022 in the Budget/Best Value home battery category. In the SQ 2023 awards for home batteries, Sungrow attained bronze in the Best Overall Battery Brand category, gold in the Best Value battery category, and silver in Best After-Sales Support. In the 2024 awards, Sungrow also did well, taking 1st place in the Best Value category.
Conclusion
In an era where power outages are becoming more frequent and unpredictable, ensuring that your home stays powered during blackouts is crucial. With Solar Secure solutions, you can have the confidence that your home will remain energized even when the grid goes down. By integrating solar power systems with reliable battery storage, you can harness the sun's energy to keep essential appliances running, lights on, and your home comfortable.
Solar Secure's innovative technology allows you to store excess solar energy for later use, ensuring you have a continuous supply of power during grid failures.
Investing in a battery backup system is a smart and forward-thinking decision for anyone concerned about power outages in Australia. With benefits like instant power supply, silent operation, low maintenance, renewable energy compatibility, and cost savings, batteries offer a reliable and sustainable solution during blackouts. Whether for residential or commercial use, a battery backup can provide security, comfort, and resilience in an increasingly uncertain energy landscape.