Yarra Energy Foundation
Yarra Energy Foundation is a Victoria-based not-for-profit consultancy that designs and delivers community battery projects, residential electrification programs, and energy transition advisory services for local councils, state and federal governments, network operators, and communities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersFitzroy, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Yarra Energy Foundation does
Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) is an independent Australian not-for-profit established in 2010 by Yarra City Council, headquartered in Fitzroy, Victoria. The organisation operates as a specialist energy transition consultancy that designs, delivers, and evaluates programs for local governments, state and federal government departments, electricity network operators, energy retailers, and customer advocacy groups, with a secondary focus on direct residential engagement through council-commissioned solar and electrification programs.
YEF's core product portfolio centres on community battery infrastructure and residential electrification program delivery. Its two flagship community batteries are the Fitzroy North unit (FN1, 110kW/309kWh Pixii PowerShaper BESS, Victoria's first inner-urban community battery, launched June 2022) and the Clifton Hill unit (front-of-meter with dual 60kW DC EV chargers, launched May 2026). The technology stack combines grid-connected battery storage with smart operating software for charge/discharge scheduling, wholesale arbitrage, and demand response. YEF also operates branded municipal programs including Hume Home Energy Upgrades, Love Bayside, Darebin Energy Upgrades, the Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow, and Sport & Spark (12 sporting clubs), plus the Wired for Tomorrow all-electric precinct initiative and free online neighbourhood battery training developed for the Victorian Government.
The business model is hybrid non-profit: core funding from Yarra City Council, supplemented by competitive state and federal grants (notably the Victorian Government's Neighbourhood Battery Initiative and the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change), fee-for-service consulting on feasibility, business cases, and project coordination, and end-to-end program delivery contracts with local councils where YEF manages vetted supplier panels and customer service on behalf of residents. Residential customers access services at no direct cost to them, with rebates (Solar Victoria, Victorian Energy Upgrades, SRES) applied by installers at point of sale. Headcount is 11-50 employees under CEO Dean Kline, with governance by an independent Board of Directors that expanded in June 2026.
Yarra Energy Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yarra Energy Foundation
- Legal name
- Yarra Energy Foundation
- Website
- https://yef.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Yarra Energy Foundation is a Victoria-based not-for-profit consultancy that designs and delivers community battery projects, residential electrification programs, and energy transition advisory services for local councils, state and federal governments, network operators, and communities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yarra Energy Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clean Energy Consulting and Community Battery Services
- NAICS
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Utility-Scale BESS Project Development & Ownership (IPP/Developer) (EUAFAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB), Energy Storage & Microgrid Electrical Infrastructure (BESS, Controls) (IMAFAHAE)
Keywords
Where Yarra Energy Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fitzroy
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Yarra Energy Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Core Funding and Grants: Core funding and support from Yarra City Council, supplemented by grants from Victorian Government through programs like the Neighbourhood Battery Initiative ($750,000 for Clifton Hill) and Sustainability Victoria funding for Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow.
- Professional Consulting Services: Fee-for-service consulting and advisory services provided to local governments, state and federal government departments, network distribution businesses, energy retailers, and customer advocacy organisations for project design, delivery, feasibility studies, and training.
- Program Delivery Services: End-to-end program design, setup, launch, delivery and reporting for solar and electrification programs on behalf of partner councils, including supplier management, customer service, and energy literacy.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Yarra Energy Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
YEF designs, develops, and operates community (neighbourhood) battery energy storage projects in inner-urban Melbourne and delivers end-to-end solar and residential electrification programs on behalf of local government councils. It also sells professional advisory and training services to governments, network businesses, energy retailers, and customer advocacy organisations, including feasibility studies, business cases, financial modelling, project coordination, and free online training developed for the Victorian Government.
Product overview
Yarra Energy Foundation is a not-for-profit consultancy offering community battery installations and solar/electrification program delivery services. The core portfolio includes community battery projects (Fitzroy North, Clifton Hill, Richmond, Altona, Manor Lakes, Torquay) that store and redistribute excess solar energy, complemented by the Neighbourhood Battery Training program developed for the Victorian Government. The Solar & Electrification Programs include branded municipal initiatives like the Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow, Sport & Spark, and council-specific programs (Hume Home Energy Upgrades, Love Bayside, Darebin Energy Upgrades), alongside the Wired for Tomorrow all-electric precinct initiative. Community Battery Consulting & Advisory Services provide feasibility studies, business cases, and project coordination to support implementation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fitzroy North Community Battery Victoria's first inner-urban community battery launched in June 2022, a 110kW/309kWh PowerShaper Battery Energy Storage System that stores excess solar energy from local rooftops and redistributes it during evening peak demand periods across up to 200 households on the local low-voltage network.
- Clifton Hill Neighbourhood Battery Front-of-meter neighbourhood battery installed at Collingwood Leisure Centre in Clifton Hill, featuring co-located accessible EV charging bays with dual 60kW DC chargers, designed to harmonise with public EV charging and reduce grid pressure.
- Neighbourhood Battery Training Free online training program developed for the Victorian Government covering foundational concepts of neighbourhood batteries, including problem context, operating a BESS, project implementation, and project development.
- Solar & Electrification Programs End-to-end programs helping residents switch to solar and electric appliances, including independent vetting of suppliers, program design, setup, delivery, and reporting for local governments.
- Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow Coordinated Melbourne-wide series of community events between September 2025 and April 2026 to explain benefits of home electrification and help households access Victorian Government incentives.
- Sport & Spark Community engagement initiative partnering with 12 sports clubs across Hobsons Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Whittlesea, and Wyndham to deliver activities sparking conversations about home electrification through familiar sporting environments.
- Hume Home Energy Upgrades Program Program connecting Hume residents with reliable suppliers for rooftop solar, reverse cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, induction cooktops, draught proofing, and insulation upgrades.
- Love Bayside, Home Energy Upgrades Program Program supporting Bayside residents with rooftop solar and batteries, reverse cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, induction cooktops, insulation, and EV chargers.
- Darebin Energy Upgrades Program helping Darebin residents electrify and improve efficiency of homes or businesses with insulation, draught proofing, reverse cycle heating/cooling, hot water heat pumps, rooftop solar, home batteries, induction cooktops, and EV chargers.
- Wired for Tomorrow Visionary initiative funded by Yarra City Council to develop knowledge for accelerating all-electric precincts, with a focus on the postcode 3068 (North Fitzroy and Clifton Hill) to inspire community momentum for electrification.
- Community Battery Consulting & Advisory Services Professional services including feasibility studies, business cases, financial modelling, site identification and assessment, project coordination, procurement, and training for community battery projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- 86% reduction in CO2 emissions and $17,944 annual savings for apartment block hot water upgrade
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Yarra Energy Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Yarra Energy Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Yarra Energy Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Yarra City CouncilcoreEstablished YEF as an independent not-for-profit in 2010. Provides core funding and support. Site owner for some projects (Collingwood Leisure Centre). Commissioned Wired for Tomorrow all-electric precinct initiative.
- CitiPowercoreNetwork distribution partner for Fitzroy North community battery. Selected site location on CitiPower-owned land at 193-205 McKean Street, Fitzroy North. Collaborated on grid connection and network constraint analysis.
- All Electric HomescoreVetted supplier for solar and electrification installations across multiple council programs including Darebin Energy Upgrades, Mornington Peninsula Home Energy Upgrades, and Brunswick apartment block project. Installed solar, heat pumps, and other electrification measures.
- Hume City CouncilcoreLong-standing partner for Hume Home Energy Upgrades program. Previously delivered Hume Solar Roll-Out with 300+ installations. Council has done the hard work vetting supplier panels for residents.
- City of BaysidecorePartner for Love Bayside, Home Energy Upgrades program supporting residents with solar, batteries, reverse cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, induction cooktops, insulation and EV chargers.
- City of DarebincorePartner for Darebin Energy Upgrades program offering insulation, draught proofing, reverse cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, rooftop solar, home batteries, induction cooktops, EV chargers, and business energy upgrades.
- Mornington Peninsula ShirecorePartner for Home Energy Upgrades program with rooftop solar, solar batteries, induction cooktops, reverse cycle heating and cooling, and hot water heat pump systems.
- EnviroflexminorVetted supplier for insulation installations through Darebin Energy Upgrades program.
- CleanTechnicaminorMedia coverage partner for neighbourhood battery and EV charging initiatives, providing editorial coverage of YEF projects.
- Electrify YarracoreCommunity energy group in postcode 3068 supported through Wired for Tomorrow initiative. Emerged from Rewiring Australia and Electrify 2515 movements. Active partner for home battery and solar events.
- Local Community Energy GroupsminorPartnership network including Electrify Boroondara, Clean Energy Nillumbik, Repower Mornington Peninsula, Electrify Southside, Electrify Maribyrnong, and others for Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow delivery.
- City of Yarra Disability Advisory CommitteeminorConsulted on EV charging station design for Clifton Hill project, providing guidance on accessibility features including lower charger height and wider parking spaces.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Yarra Energy Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- AusNet Services: Victorian electricity distribution network operator with a dedicated New Energy division (BESS, clean mobility, SAPS) headed by YEF board director Gavin Lewis. Larger, vertically-integrated player in the same community battery and DER space with balance-sheet scale YEF lacks.
- AGL Energy: Major Australian energy retailer actively deploying community battery projects and household electrification offerings. Competes with YEF for council program partnerships and operates in the same residential electrification and DER category at national scale.
Emerging players
- SwitchDin: Australian DER orchestration and virtual power plant software provider enabling integration of solar, batteries and EV chargers. Comparable technology stack to YEF's community battery operating system and multi-asset orchestration use cases.
- Rewiring Australia: National electrification advocacy organisation driving household electrification policy; community groups partnered with YEF (Electrify Yarra, Electrify Boroondara) emerged from this movement. Mission-adjacent peer shaping the demand environment YEF serves.
- Reposit Power: Canberra-based DER and battery management software platform enabling behind-the-meter and front-of-meter battery optimisation. Comparable technology layer to YEF's community battery operating software and grid integration work.
Others
- Sustainability Victoria: Victian Government statutory authority that funds YEF's Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow and other programs. Grant-provider/funder relationship but defines the policy and funding environment in which YEF operates.
- Pixii: Norwegian BESS manufacturer whose PowerShaper product is deployed in YEF's Fitzroy North community battery. Technology supplier relationship rather than competitor, but defines the underlying hardware stack of YEF's battery portfolio.
- ICLEI Oceania: Local government sustainability network for which YEF board director Amanda Stone serves as Board Chair. Ecosystem connector in the same council sustainability space where YEF delivers electrification programs.
Direct peers
- GreenSync: Australian DER orchestration platform helping utilities, retailers and network operators manage distributed energy resources including community batteries. YEF chair David Anstee was a founding employee. Operates in the same BESS/DER ecosystem with overlapping customers (network businesses, retailers).
- Moreland Energy Foundation (Positive Charge): Inner-northern Melbourne-based not-for-profit energy foundation focused on community energy and zero-carbon transition. Closest structural peer to YEF: similar NFP model, council-funded, delivers community energy and electrification programs in the same geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Yarra Energy Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceYarra Energy Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yarra Energy Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
Yarra Energy Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yarra Energy Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Yarra Energy Foundation
What does Yarra Energy Foundation do?
YEF designs, develops, and operates community (neighbourhood) battery energy storage projects in inner-urban Melbourne and delivers end-to-end solar and residential electrification programs on behalf of local government councils. It also sells professional advisory and training services to governments, network businesses, energy retailers, and customer advocacy organisations, including feasibility studies, business cases, financial modelling, project coordination, and free online training developed for the Victorian Government.
Is Yarra Energy Foundation a public or private company?
Yarra Energy Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Yarra Energy Foundation founded?
Yarra Energy Foundation was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Yarra Energy Foundation based?
Yarra Energy Foundation is headquartered in Fitzroy, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Yarra Energy Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Core Funding and Grants are the primary driver. The others are professional Consulting Services and program Delivery Services.
Who are Yarra Energy Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are AusNet Services and AGL Energy. Emerging players are SwitchDin, Rewiring Australia and Reposit Power. Others are Sustainability Victoria, Pixii and ICLEI Oceania. Direct peers are GreenSync and Moreland Energy Foundation (Positive Charge).
Does Yarra Energy Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yarra Energy Foundation.
What industry is Yarra Energy Foundation in?
Yarra Energy Foundation's product category is Clean Energy Consulting and Community Battery Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAFAAAA, Utility-Scale BESS Project Development & Ownership (IPP/Developer), with a secondary code of EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System). Its NAICS code is 2211 and its SIC code is 4900.