South Australia leading the way with energy-smart homes

With electricity demand projected to potentially double by 2050, advancements in energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and innovative grid management technology are becoming increasingly important to mitigate higher energy bills for consumers.  

In this, technology will be pivotal in optimising energy use and supporting the grid during peak times, ultimately lowering energy bills in the long term by reducing the need for additional generation and network capacity. However, it’s not solely the responsibility of the industry and government. Consumers can also play a significant role by being proactive and informed. By utilising advanced technology in their home to optimise their energy consumption, consumers can make more informed decisions, reduce their energy bills, and contribute to a more sustainable energy system.

In an effort to help Australians make a start, SA Power Networks have announced ‘Energy Masters’ — a first-of-its-kind initiative supported by the Government of South Australia that aims to demonstrate the customer and energy industry benefits of demand flexibility, smart appliances, and smart energy management systems in homes across South Australia. 

SA Power Networks, which is contributing $2.8 million to the project, will lead the initiative, collaborating with the South Australian government, retailers, and technology innovators including Clipsal Cortex. Additionally, the project received $6.2 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program, contributing to its total budget of $13.8 million.

The project will see the installation of energy-smart appliances in 500 homes across the state, with energy use optimised by a Clipsal Cortex home energy management system (HEMS). Households will receive subsidies to implement different levels of electrification within their homes, with devices including smart split-system air-conditioners, heat pump hot water, and smart EV chargers. Households will also have access to simple retail offers from partner electricity retailers. 

In return, households will agree to, and participate in, research that aims to demonstrate the value of energy-smart households, and propose a pathway towards a simple, reliable and cost-effective way for all South Australians to become masters of their energy use. A focus of the research will also be data about device interoperability to inform the development of national standards.

Clipsal Cortex is part of 100-year-old Australian energy company Clipsal, backed by Schneider Electric Ventures, delivering world-leading electrical innovations to support Australians. As the technology partner for Energy Masters, the Clipsal Cortex system combines technologies into one user-friendly design with a minimal footprint, requiring less space than traditional configurations. The integrated approach allows consumers to manage their entire energy ecosystem, including solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers, all controlled through a single application. 

The CEO of Clipsal Cortex, Tracy Richardson, said, “We are thrilled to be one of the suppliers selected to contribute to such an important initiative. Thanks to this project, South Australian residents will be equipped with the tools necessary to better understand their energy usage and how this translates to their overall energy bills.” 

HEMS leverage the latest in digital technology to meet homeowners’ needs in today’s ever-changing energy landscape. By integrating smart technology, residents are able to gain greater control over their energy use, saving money and preparing their homes for the future.

“Home energy management systems offer a comprehensive solution to help consumers take control of their energy use and move towards a net-zero carbon future. This integrated approach allows those within the program to leverage their entire energy ecosystem through a single application, making it easier to understand energy usage,” said Ms Richardson. 

SA Power Networks CEO Andrew Bills said: “The customer focus of the pilot is exciting. We recognise the energy system is complex, so the pilot will seek to identify how we can overcome that for the benefit of customers in a way that will also enhance the way we manage our network.

“Much of the technology is available today but we need to identify how we bring together incentives, retail offers, energy-smart appliances and energy management systems in a way that is understandable and attractive for energy customers,” Mr Bills said.

The Energy Masters program will enable flexible demand at scale to help manage peak demand, reduce network augmentation costs, and ultimately provide the insights and confidence to inform South Australia’s clean energy future. 

“SA Power Networks is proud to be leading this unique collaboration of partners from across the energy industry to ensure the findings of the project can be adopted nationally and at scale,” concluded Mr Bills. 

For more information or to join the program in South Australia, visit https://www.saenergymasters.com.au/.

Image credit: iStock.com/ARTappler