The Australian Government Invests $9 Million in Smart Energy Trial to Manage Energy Use
The Australian government has pledged over $9 million in an integrated system to manage energy use due to concerns EV charging at home could overload the grid. The funding is being provided via the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for a project worth $22 million.
Intellihub Receives Funding for Demand Flexibility Platform
Intellihub, a leading energy company, will receive $9.75 million to launch a “demand flexibility platform” that will target “510 megawatts of aggregated load under control.” The platform aims to enroll more than 140,000 customer devices voluntarily and initially focus on integrating residential hot water systems and solar PV.
Over a two-year time frame, the system will also incorporate batteries, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and pool pumps. The goal is to save homes hundreds of dollars a year and enable grid infrastructure to be used more efficiently.
Benefits of the Smart Energy Platform
The smart energy platform funded by the Australian government has several benefits. It can save households money by optimizing energy consumption and reducing peak-hour demand. Additionally, it allows for better management of supply and demand across electricity networks and wholesale markets.
The platform leverages a network of “2 million smart meters” across the national electricity market, providing Intellihub with the necessary infrastructure to control and monitor customer energy resources. By controlling the amount of energy consumption, the platform can potentially reduce load on the grid during peak hours.
Assistant Minister Highlights Remote Control and Cost Reduction
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister emphasized the advantages of the smart energy platform. She stated that volunteered devices can be “turned on remotely” to take advantage of abundant daytime solar energy. Alternatively, they can be programmed to reduce demand during peak times, thereby lowering household energy costs.
McAllister believes that better management of household energy devices and appliances can help balance supply and demand, resulting in real impacts on energy prices and providing wider grid stability.
Changing the Way Customer Energy is Monitored and Controlled
ARENA CEO Darren Miller sees the project as a game-changer in how customer energy resources (CER) are monitored and controlled. He acknowledges that the growth in CER, including hot water systems, rooftop solar, and battery storage, presents challenges for the grid. However, when aggregated and controlled, these resources can provide much-needed demand flexibility, benefiting retailers, networks, and consumers.
Intellihub CEO Wes Ballantine also expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that the company now has the technology to manage the energy consumed by these devices, turning them into flexible energy resources.
The Australian government’s investment in this smart energy trial demonstrates its commitment to innovation in the energy sector and its efforts to put downward pressure on energy prices. With the integration of residential devices and the optimization of energy consumption, households can expect to see significant savings while contributing to a more efficient and stable energy grid.
