SwitchedOn Australia

Saul Griffith, an engineer and author of 'Plug In', discusses the vital role of households in Australia’s clean energy transition. He argues for electrification as a means to cut emissions and save money. Griffith shares insights from his work with Rewiring America and Australia's energy challenges. He advocates for a consumer army to fight for energy justice, tackling skepticism around the energy industry and the need for innovative solutions. The conversation touches on the future of battery technology and the importance of local solar manufacturing.

Australia’s electricity system was designed around a centralised model, where generators, networks and retailers stay in their own tightly regulated 'swim lanes.' But with the rise of rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles, integrating decentralised energy is proving a major challenge. Ausgrid, the country’s largest electricity distributor, has proposed a bold pilot to turn unused commercial rooftops into solar hubs, link them with community batteries, and share that power with 32,000 households, including renters and apartment dwellers who can’t access solar. The model could potentially lower bills, reduce network costs, reduce the amount of new transmission that’s needed, and make the system fairer. Critics, however, warn that allowing networks to move into generation and storage could stifle competition, raising big questions about who should deliver local power and how to balance innovation with consumer fairness. Marc England, the CEO of Ausgrid, puts the case for embracing opportunities that are currently being missed.

Energy hardship in Australia is more widespread — and more complex — than many people realise. The latest national survey from Energy Consumers Australia shows that one in five households are either experiencing, or at risk of energy hardship, with many cutting back on heating and cooling even when they aren’t in financial stress. Ashley Bradshaw, executive manager of analysis and advocacy at ECA, discusses what’s driving this growing problem, why it affects far more than just low-income households, and what needs to change to ensure everyone can access the energy they need to live well.

As Australia moves toward an all-electric future, a key question looms: how can we meet the surge in electricity demand that will be needed when we all drive electric vehicles, heat our hot water with electricity, cook with induction stoves and heat and cool our homes with reverse cycle air-conditioners? New modelling from the Australian National University, using the ACT as a case study, suggests the answer lies not in building more infrastructure but shifting when we use power. By charging electric vehicles and heating water during the day, when solar energy is plentiful and network demand is low, we could electrify our homes and transport without overloading the system. Dr Bjorn Sturmberg is a senior energy researcher and lead researcher on the ANU study.

In the third part of our series, So you want to install a community battery?, Dr Juliette Millbank and Mathew Charles-Jones from Totally Renewable Yackandandah share insights from TRY’s first battery project, a behind-the-meter installation on a former timber mill site, and their second, which is council-owned and focused on community resilience. TRY is a grassroots group that’s been working since 2014 to transition their Victorian town to 100% renewable energy. With their second community battery about to come online, they reflect on why batteries are not the best starting point for many communities, why deep local knowledge, strong partnerships, and early wins with simpler projects are essential before installing a community battery. We hear why the future of community batteries lies not just in technology, but in trust, collaboration, and a clear understanding of what each community is trying to achieve.

New modelling from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis shows we’ve been looking for solutions to rising electricity prices in the wrong places. The real key to slashing household energy bills isn’t more power plants or political debate over gas vs renewables. And it’s not one-off bill rebates either. It’s targeted energy upgrades in our homes. Efficient electric appliances, rooftop solar, home batteries, and thermal upgrades could slash bills by 80 to 90%, with the biggest savings in cities like Sydney. These upgrades not only reduce household energy use and bills but also cut demand on the broader grid, benefiting everyone by lowering peak demand and gas reliance. But what will it take to make these savings a reality? Jay Gordon is an Energy Finance Analyst at IEEFA and author of the new report.

A growing movement of Australian farmers is stepping up to tackle climate change head-on. Climate change is already hitting agriculture hard with drought, floods, and extreme weather costing farmers tens of thousands each year. Born from a meeting of 30 frustrated farmers tired of being ignored about climate change a decade ago, Farmers for Climate Action has grown into a national force representing more than 8,000 farmers committed to climate solutions. From carbon-neutral beef production to farmers installing solar and batteries to reduce emissions and take pressure off the grid, renewables present an opportunity for regional communities, not just for cutting emissions and costs, but for boosting farm incomes, strengthening local economies, and creating a more equitable energy future. Natalie Collard is the CEO of Farmers for Climate Action.

Electricity prices have risen again across NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland following the latest default market offer increase, but some retailers are also using the changes to lift prices on supposedly more competitive market plans. Why is this happening, and why is it so difficult to get a better deal? Professor David Byrne, the Ritchie Chair of Economic Research at the University of Melbourne, explains how a handful of dominant retailers exploit consumer inertia and lack of transparency to maximise profits, and why even well-intentioned regulation has struggled to deliver truly fair prices. He also shares the results of a unique undercover experiment using professional actors to negotiate with energy companies — revealing just how much you can save if you know how to ask. And he lays out a bold vision for market reform, where the onus is no longer on consumers to endlessly compare plans, but instead on electricity companies to compete for us. What if getting a fair electricity deal was as easy as tapping a button, like ordering an Uber?

A new research project is putting ‘virtual energy networks’ for households and businesses to the test. Virtual energy networks (VENs) allow consumers to buy solar energy directly from their neighbours, or sell excess rooftop solar to someone across town, or even interstate, all through an online platform. VENs are already used by some councils, schools and businesses with multiple sites, for instance to share solar generated on a community centre with an office or depots. But most energy retailers haven’t extended this system to households. Dr Andrea La Nauze, an Associate Professor of Economics at Deakin University, is leading a study to look at how the use of VENs can be extended, and is now recruiting participants for the trial. If you’d like to take part in the virtual energy network study, you can email the team at ven@deakin.edu.au or just search “Deakin Virtual Energy Network” in your browser.

When it comes to upgrading your home to be more energy efficient or going all-electric, it turns out one of the most powerful motivators isn’t advertising, policy, or even rebates. It’s a conversation with someone we trust. But with over 11 million homes in Australia needing some kind of energy upgrade, how do we spark millions of those personal conversations? One answer is to go local. Merri-bek City Council in Melbourne has become a leader in grassroots energy transition, taking a hands-on, human-centred approach to helping residents electrify their homes and cut emissions. They’re a great example of what’s possible when local government meets the community where they’re at, literally. Donna Luckman, Merri-bek Council’s Zero Carbon Campaigns Lead and winner of the Energy Efficiency Council’s Energy Management Champion Award, outlines how the council supports residents with practical, locally focused programs. And Sarah Hussein, a community outreach officer embedded in Merri-bek’s culturally diverse neighbourhoods, explains how she’s helps households navigate the energy transition, from understanding options to taking action.