A new pilot project will see 500 homes in the Illawarra region of New South Wales electrified, led by Endeavour Energy.
The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot is an $11.8 million partnership between Rewiring Australia, Brighte and Endeavour Energy with $5.4 million in federal funding through Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Endeavour Energy said that the project is a major step towards electrifying all Australian households to reduce energy bills and emissions, which will provide real-world data on a concentrated and rapid electrification of a community, measuring consumer behaviour, attitudes and energy bill savings.
ARENA said that one of the bigger barriers to the commercialisation and widespread adoption of consumer energy resources (CER) is upfront cost, thus ARENA’s funding will help to support the purchase of CER for pilot participants taking part in the research program led by Rewiring Australia.
Rewiring Australia Co-founder and Chief Scientist, Dr Saul Griffith, said that the pilot aims to create the electric future in a real community today.
“Incentives and information will support households to make wise energy choices and coordination of tradespeople will facilitate the process. Our research will uncover any barriers that make electrification harder than it should be and highlight market reforms required to make the transition economically efficient. Australia is the leading rooftop solar nation. Pilots like these will allow us to invent the clean consumer energy model for the whole world,” Dr Griffith said.
Under the pilot, residents of the 2515 postcode can apply for subsidies of up to $1000 off electric hot water systems, reverse cycle air conditioners, induction cooktops, and up to $1500 off home batteries. Each household will also have a free smart energy device installed to optimise their energy use and switchboard upgrades to support the new appliances. Additional incentives will be available for lower income households to make the program accessible to a diverse range of people.
Brighte CEO, Katherine McConnell, said, “This pilot will help us understand how to scale and commercialise home electrification, including how best to overcome economic and practical challenges faced by tradies and homeowners in electrifying their homes.
“Tradespeople are key to the neighbourhood transition to electric homes. Brighte’s platform and processes bring everything together, connecting customers with accredited local installers, approved products and competitive finance. Brighte is ready to support communities around the country to help them rapidly electrify.
“We’re excited about the role we can play to demonstrate the power of homes brought to their full potential, lighting a pathway for every Australian community to electrify more easily and fast-forward to a smart, electric future,” Ms McConnell said.
Endeavour Energy will be assessing and monitoring the local grid during the pilot, generating insights about how to best utilise the network for all customers as Australia manages the smart energy transition.
Endeavour Energy CEO, Guy Chalkley, said, “This is our opportunity to work with community partners and the Federal Government to help decarbonise the electricity grid and electrify homes with efficient appliances, electric hot water systems, solar and batteries. We are excited and confident that this will help create clean, green communities that show the way for others to follow.”
Rewiring Australia Co-founder and Executive Director, Dan Cass, said, “The world is moving towards electrification – it’s cheaper for householders and better for the environment. The technology is ready and the way this community has campaigned so hard for this pilot shows Australians are ready too.
“Federal Government funding to demonstrate the electric future will help Australia innovate new technologies, business models and policies that can bring forward tens of billions of dollars in savings for all households.”
ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said this project would provide significant insight into the contribution of home electrification to grid stability while also reducing energy costs for consumers.
“Flexible demand at a residential level is expected to be critical as homes electrify. By undertaking electrification in a managed way, we can reduce the need to upgrade our electricity network and reduce costs for all electricity consumers.”
