We want to inspire and support people to find the most sustainable and efficient ways to produce and deliver energy to homes. Our online forum on community energy in 2020 served as an initial conversation about the potential for local micro-grids and the concept of ‘energy sovereignty’. As sitting members of the Hepburn ZNET roundtable TSG’s Community Energy team are deeply engaged in the conversation and active advocates for reliable, affordable and clean energy.
Energy & Climate Resilient Trentham will deliver a detailed plan to significantly increase the proportion of renewable energy produced in Trentham and increase resilience of the electricity supply to essential services, businesses and the wider community.
The project will stimulate greater business and private take-up of solar, batteries and reliable energy supply through solutions like community energy grids.
This project aims to both mitigate climate change as well as support resilience in extreme weather events.
In 2022 after the extreme weather event of June 2021, Middleton Engineering Group were contracted to explore the requirements to enable an energy resilient Trentham. Their report below recommended the establishment of an islandable microgrid for the Market Street transformer which provides power to the centre of Trentham
Download Feasibility Study Report PDF
In early 2025 Yarra Energy Foundation and Solarquip were engaged to deliver a Technical Feasibility Study into a design and equipment requirement for the microgrid. Their final report delivered in July 2025 is available below. The report also includes a detailed Business Case.
Download TSG Trentham Microgrid Feasibility Report PDF
For a detailed followup of the project and analysis re major issues encountered have a look at the video produced by Glen Morris of Solaquip, with Yarra Energy Foundation and TSG.
The Z-NET Community Transition Plan is an ambitious 10-year masterplan to achieve 100% renewable electricity and zero-net emissions by 2029. TSG has been an active participant in the planning and implementation stages since commencement in 2017 and launch in 2019. Trentham is well represented on the Z-NET Roundtable, a collaboration of local sustainability groups, interested individuals, Hepburn Energy and Hepburn Shire Council. The Roundtable provides guidance and communications for development and implementation. The Plan documents the shire’s current emissions profile (by sector and geographically) and provides comprehensive approaches to cut emissions in energy, transport, agriculture, land use and waste. Hard copies of the Community Transition Plan are available through TSG, Trentham Library or Neighbourhood Centre.