SwitchedOn Australia

Deputy Chair of Zero Emissions Noosa, Mark Purcell, is on a mission to get 50,000 households to electrify and install batteries. He's electrified three homes, and now wants to spread the word to other householders about electrification and decarbonisation. He’s calculated that if he can get 50,000 households to electrify and install batteries one less gas peaker plant will be needed during critical hours of peak demand. But although he's fully committed to household electrification and decarbonisation, Mark didn’t start his own electrification journey for sustainability reasons. For more information on electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Electrifying and decarbonising our homes isn’t always straightforward – we might not know where to start, what to prioritise, who to trust, what products to install, how much it will all cost, what rebates and incentives are available, can I get finance, what’s the best energy retailer that won’t rip me off. And despite the financial incentives that are now available for households and businesses the uptake on rebates remains low. The process can be a minefield, and many people end up thinking, why bother. A new website is now trying to take some of the pain out of the process. The founder of Upgrade IQ, Leigh Simpson, discusses how the site links customers with tradies and installers who they’ve already vetted, who can provide tailored information on government incentives, and design solutions for individual households, along with financing options. For more information about electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Jeremy Sung from the Energy Efficiency Council dives into Australia's shift from inefficient halogen lights to energy-saving LEDs. He discusses the essential minimum energy performance standards for both lighting and heat pumps, addressing industry challenges and the need for consumer protection. The conversation highlights the recent ministerial agreement on updating energy standards for digital displays and fast-tracking heat pump regulations. Sung also explores the roadmap for enhancing renewable technologies, focusing on the importance of consumer trust and behavior in energy resource management.

In last year’s federal budget the Government allocated $1 billion to a Household Energy Upgrades program to help homeowners fast track their transition to cleaner, cheaper energy. Grace Tam is the Head of Consumer finance at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the CEFC, the agency responsible for rolling out the program. She discusses the importance of green finance for householders, and how difficult it was to get Australia’s banks, mutuals, and other lenders to offer truly green finance that can turbo charge household decarbonisation and electrification. Also, why lenders should provide access to service providers and information, not just ‘green discounts’. For more information on electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Brendan Lang runs an electrification business in Melbourne that helps householders and businesses transition from gas-fuelled appliances to efficient electric ones. He’s a passionate environmentalist who has swapped his Amarok ute for a Tesla model Y. Brendan discusses why he opted for a Tesla, and provides some practical advice on the best forms of heating, when you need 3 phase power or should rewire your house, how to find a good electrician, and why peer to peer training for electricians is so important. For more information on electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

In the absence of bipartisan support for solutions to the climate crisis, local community groups and individuals are taking it upon themselves to help drive the transition to a clean energy economy. ClearSky Solar is just one community initiative that is helping businesses divest from fossil fuels by supporting investments in clean energy and sustainable projects. They do this by linking community investors to local solar projects that need financing. Clearsky has helped finance solar installations on car washes, breweries, retail outlets, hotels, utilities companies, supermarkets, and bakeries. In just ten years they have raised $26 million, installed 95 solar projects, and generated 20 mega watts of rooftop solar energy. Dr Christina Kirsch is a director at ClearSky Solar. For more information on electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Two years ago Brody Kenrick embarked on a journey to not just make his late 60s house carbon neutral, but carbon negative. He wanted to make sure his own house had zero carbon emissions and also displace emissions from the grid. Since upgrading his own home Kenrick has also decarbonised his son’s preschool, his parents’ house, and his in-laws. They all now make big savings on their energy bills. While he admits being a trained electrical engineer and tech savvy has been an advantage, and he and his wife were fortunate to have the upfront capital, Kenrick says many of the energy upgrades they did can be achieved by other people. He hopes his house will be a ‘proof of concept’ for others who want to electrify and decarbonise.

Tim Washington, CEO of an electric vehicle charging company, discusses the future of VPPs in Australia. He predicts EVs with bidirectional charging will make electricity free for many, leading to consumer independence from traditional power sources. The conversation delves into consumer behavior, grid adaptations, and challenges in implementing bidirectional charging for EVs.

Most energy retailers make money by accessing the wholesale energy market, whacking on a big mark up, and then selling power to consumers. The more energy we use, the more money they make. But Amber Electric is not playing the usual retailer game. They give consumers direct access to the wholesale energy market. Co-founder and Co-CEO of Amber Electric, Dan Adams, outlines how Amber is disrupting the energy retail industry, why the massive energy resources consumers are installing won’t be fully optimised without first building consumer trust, and why retailers must be more transparent and give customers full control of their energy assets. For more information on electrification and energy efficiency https://switchedon.reneweconomy.com.au

Electric bikes are taking Australia by storm as more people recognise they can be used for commuting. Bike advocates argue e-bikes, and active transport, should have a large part to play in our transport future. 50% of all trips across our cities are now less than 5 kilometres – a perfect distance for e-biking. Peter Bourke, the General Manager of Bicycle Industries Australia and the Executive Officer of We Ride Australia, estimates that if we increase the number of e-bike commutes by just 5%, it will not only have a massive impact on traffic congestion, the environment, and our health, but also carbon emissions. To help achieve net zero transport we need to change our thinking about bike riding and active transport and ensure people feel safe riding by building more infrastructure and dedicated spaces to active transport. But just when we need e-bikes to help decarbonise our transport, we’re seeing an increase in poor quality and potentially dangerous e-bikes entering the country. For more information about electrification and energy efficiency https://switchedon.reneweconomy.com.au