As Australia’s energy systems evolve toward decentralisation, grid stability, and sustainability, battery storage has emerged as a key enabler, especially when integrated within embedded networks. This structural shift is redefining how commercial, residential, and mixed-use precincts interact with the national grid. At ENM Solutions, we have seen firsthand how combining Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with embedded network frameworks can unlock additional reliability, cost control, and flexibility for multi-tenant developments across the nation.
This integration isn’t just about keeping the lights on during an outage. It’s about future-proofing assets, creating genuine energy independence, and building smarter, more adaptive local energy networks that can thrive and adapt in a rapidly shifting energy landscape dominated by volatility and the increasing demands of electrification.
This article explores how embedded networks and battery storage work together, and why this combined approach is fast becoming essential for future-ready developments.
Embedded networks are privately owned and operated electricity infrastructures that distribute power to multiple customers, such as in large apartment complexes, retail centres, business parks, and mixed-use precincts, through a single, shared grid connection point. This model provides the foundational platform necessary for advanced energy management.
ENM Solutions supports embedded network operators and small-resource aggregators across the National Electricity Market.
Embedded networks provide a sophisticated foundation for consumer energy resources (CER). By combining the operational and regulatory control of an embedded network with distributed energy resources like solar PV and battery storage, a site can transition from being a passive consumer of electricity to an active participant in the energy market, optimising every kilowatt-hour consumed or generated.
Battery systems serve multiple, dynamic functions within embedded networks, all of which contribute to greater resilience, efficiency, and long-term asset value.
Within an embedded network, this action significantly reduces the site’s overall measured demand, directly resulting in lower network demand charges, which are a major operational cost for large developments.
This approach delivers substantial returns on investment. Recent projects using community batteries and VPP integration have shown demand-charge reductions between 64% and 85%, demonstrating the financial power of intelligent load control.
Grid instability is an increasing risk due to extreme weather events and grid maintenance. Battery systems act as a critical safeguard. When coupled with solar generation, a BESS can maintain essential loads during grid outages or disruptions, ensuring operational continuity. For aged care, healthcare, and mixed-use multi-tenant precincts, this resilience directly protects safety, well-being, and business continuity.
Many embedded networks now include large-scale solar PV arrays that inevitably produce excess energy during the midday peak. Without storage, much of this excess is exported to the grid at a low feed-in rate. By integrating a BESS, that surplus can be stored and reused later, dramatically increasing self-consumption. This improves financial outcomes and reduces the development’s reliance on the grid.
The rapid adoption of EVs, heat pumps, and electrified building systems adds complex, high-demand loads to buildings.
Batteries help manage these evolving patterns by storing excess solar or off-peak power for later use. This stabilises operations and helps delay or avoid costly upgrades to the main grid connection.
For embedded network property owners and developers, battery storage within a managed provides tangible value beyond energy savings.
This system becomes a strategic asset - ensuring operational continuity, enhancing tenant and resident satisfaction, and demonstrating sustainability leadership.
It transforms energy from a static operational cost into a flexible, revenue-generating, and cost-saving capability.
Integrating battery storage within embedded networks transforms the way developments manage energy. It enables smoother operations, greater control, and measurable sustainability outcomes.
For developments ready to take the next step toward energy independence, ENM Solutions provides the expertise to design, implement, and manage these powerful, future-ready solutions.
Contact the ENM Solutions team today for a comprehensive feasibility assessment tailored to your development or precinct.
