Neighbourhood batteries in Australia: Anticipating questions of value conflict and (in)justice

Neighbourhood batteries are a new scale of energy storage that has the potential to transform the energy system in Australia, and elsewhere. This paper reports on a research project that aimed to uncover the potential benefits and harms or risks that this technology could engender. In recent years, energy researchers have grappled with incorporating practices of responsible research from different conceptual standpoints including value-sensitive design (VSD), responsible research and innovation (RRI) and energy justice. Jenkins et al. (2021) synthesised these three approaches and suggested opportunities for future integration. Our research project, involving qualitative research with energy professionals and citizens, considers elements of all three approaches, presenting an ideal opportunity to reflect on integration and the gaps that remain. We argue for collective efforts to ensure this scale of storage not only does not exacerbate energy injustice, but also enables an energy system that better reflects Australians' desires for a clean and fair energy system. Our research revealed that a priority for decision-makers is a consideration of how benefits will be decided and distributed and risks mitigated.