Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. (ZEN Inc.) Annual Report · ATTACHMENT 1_ZEN Inc. Report on Partnership Alliance Agreement to Council 2024

 1. Community Batteries - with both:

        a. A Qld. Govt. Dept. of Environment & Science Community Sustainability Action Grant

The Business Plan for a Network of Community Batteries in the Noosa Local Government Area to
reduce emissions was completed in May, 2024, Follow up meetings have been held with Energy Qld.,
the former Department of Energy & Climate and various community energy groups across Aust. have
used this report to inform their work in the planning and funding applications for community
batteries. This report also was done in tandem with the planning and development of the Noosaville
Community Battery and was a of great assistance in informing this work. It was a key milestone in the
3+ years of ZEN Inc’s volunteer work in this space.

        b. Noosaville Community Battery

The consortium working on the $500,000 federally funded community battery in Noosaville, of ZEN
Inc., Noosa Council and Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) undertook a huge amount of work to negotiate
the planning and progressing of this project in 2024.

ZEN Inc. led the way in advocating with 54 stakeholders across regulators, government (state &
federal level), industry and consumer energy groups for reduced tariffs and connection fees to make
this and other community batteries financially viable. ZEN Inc. was instrumental in persuading Energy
Qld. to make this battery, the only community owned community battery in Qld., a pilot on the
community energy sector, with Energy Qld. agreeing to cover the tariffs for 5 years, while more work
is done to investigate future financial viability for this and other community batteries.

ZEN Inc. has undertaken the Community Battery consultation for YEF as part of the consortium and
will again in early 2025 to inform and involve the community about the operation of the battery for
community benefit. For further detail see the ZEN Inc. 2024 Annual Report.


 2. 2024 6th Annual Electric Vehicle & Electrify Everything Expo
With 5,500 visitors, 65+ exhibitors, saw 80.3% came to learn about electric transport, 69.7% came to
learn about how to save money on home energy e.g. solar, battery, heat pumps. 52% of Expo visitors
will or may purchase an EV in the next 12 months.

The scope of the Expo was expanded in 2024 to include Electrify Everything to assist in household
behaviour change re electricity use and how they can save money, while reducing their emissions.

Thanks to Noosa Council for their final year of MOU financial support for the Expo. For further detail
see the ZEN Inc. 2024 Annual Report.

 3. Rewiring Noosa – Electrify Everything

Where ZEN Inc. on behalf of the Noosa Shire community, was chosen to work with Saul Griffiths
Rewiring Aust. project as one of the original community partners.

Mid-year, ZEN Inc. launched our Rewiring Noosa Toolkit developed for us by Rewiring Australia,
followed by making of 7 video testimonials by Noosa Shire community members who have moved
from traditional energy sources to power highly energy efficient appliances, coupled with solar and
monitoring systems. These tools are to ensure all Noosa Shire community members (home owners
and renters alike) can benefit by saving money, AND reducing their carbon footprint.

Thanks to Noosa Council for their grants funding for this project. For further detail see the ZEN Inc.

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