SwitchedOn Australia

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.

From July 1, households across Australia will be able to access the federal government’s long-awaited battery rebate, which will offer 30% off the upfront cost of installing a home battery. It’s a major push to help people make the switch to cleaner energy, reduce power bills, and support a smarter, more resilient grid. But while the rebate is generous, navigating the battery market is anything but simple. How do you choose the right battery? What should you look for in an installer? Can you stack federal and state rebates? And what’s a virtual power plant—and why does your battery need to be part of one to be eligible? To help cut through the noise, the Tesla-driving sparkie from Get Off Gas, Brendan Lang, breaks down the key things to consider before buying a battery, from system sizing and blackout protection to VPP compatibility and why energy efficiency upgrades shouldn’t be forgotten. Whether you're already solar-powered or just starting to explore your options, this episode offers practical guidance on storing solar, taking control of your energy use, and playing a part in the energy transition.

Big changes are coming to home energy in Australia, with a new federal battery subsidy set to boost household storage. But to deliver real value, these batteries must be ‘virtual power plant ready’, able to discharge power to the grid when it’s needed most. New modelling shows that, with the right policies and incentives, this could unlock $14 billion in value, mainly from homes. Without smart settings, households risk being penalised for adopting new tech. Amber Electric is one retailer working to flip the business model of most Australian energy retailers. Instead of profiting from higher energy use, Amber gives customers access to wholesale prices and helps them use and share energy when it's cheapest and greenest. In this rerun of a conversation with CEO and co-founder Dan Adams, we explore how Amber is making it easier for households to support the grid, and get rewarded for it, and why other retailers need to adapt so more consumers can benefit from the energy transition.

While it's often overshadowed by solar panels, wind farms, and big batteries, energy efficiency remains one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to cut emissions and reduce energy bills in our homes. Energy efficiency is the clean energy transition’s unsung hero that lets us do more with less, to use less power to achieve the same results by cutting waste and improving performance. A recent survey reveals what Australians think about home energy use, and although 85% of respondents prioritise energy efficiency, real-life uptake lags well behind. Chris Kerr, the Vice President and CEO of Clipsal by Schneider Electric, discusses the findings of their survey and how smarter design, technology, and education could help bridge the gap between good intentions and real impact.

For the first time, a major energy retailer, Energy Australia, has publicly admitted that its carbon offset product, ‘Go Neutral’, failed to eliminate the harms of burning fossil fuels. Energy Australia was forced to apologise to more than 400,000 customers who were told their gas and electricity usage could be made “carbon neutral” through offsets. The admission came after a two-year legal battle spearheaded not by government regulators, but by a small grassroots group of concerned parents. Nic Seton, the CEO of Parents for Climate, explains how the campaign unfolded, what the settlement means for consumer trust, and why this moment should be a wake-up call for corporate Australia, the carbon offset industry, and the government regulators.

When renewable energy developers first approached the Hay Shire Council in south-west NSW, the council saw both opportunity and risk. With the region designated as a Renewable Energy Zone and major wind projects on the horizon, they knew the energy transition could bring real benefits, but also real community division. Rather than sit back and let events unfold, they took the lead, helping ensure the community would engage with the transition. In partnership with the community, Hay Shire Council developed a proactive, inclusive process that not only kept the community informed, but led to a clear, community-driven set of benefit proposals, ranging from long-term affordable energy to supported housing. Ali McLean, the Council’s Economic Development Manager, shares how local government can shape the future when it steps up early and listens closely.

A critical question emerges as we push to decarbonise, electrify our homes, and modernise the grid: who benefits from the clean energy transition—and who risks being left behind? Shalanda Baker, Vice Provost for Sustainability and Climate Action at the University of Michigan and former Director of Energy Justice and Equity under the Biden administration shares her powerful insights on how the rapid shift to decarbonisation could risk repeating the inequities of the fossil fuel era if not carefully managed. She highlights the disproportionate impact of energy insecurity on low-income and communities of colour in the U.S. and draws parallels to Australia's energy landscape, where rising costs and shifting policies threaten vulnerable communities. With a focus on designing energy systems that are equitable, accessible, and sustainable, Baker urges policymakers to prioritise justice alongside decarbonisation to ensure that the benefits of clean energy flow to those who need it most.