How will Aust households use energy in the future?

A report led by Monash University researchers reveals new ‘foresights’ (defined in the report as knowledge developed about the future) relating to energy management in Australian households, including a shift to electric vehicles, the need for better battery-charging infrastructure and the sharing of renewable energy.

The recently launched ‘Digital Energy Futures: Foresights for Future Living’ report from the Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETLab) at Monash University reframes current assumptions held by the energy industry about how people do, or will, interact with energy and technology.

The report also presents key foresights into what Australians will want in the immediate future for better adoption of electric vehicles and battery charging as well as energy needs associated with cleaner air technologies. The report also presents long-term foresights into how energy needs will change to match a changing climate.

Lead author and ETLab Director Professor Sarah Pink said the energy sector has to adapt new practices to support the changing behaviour of consumers.

“There are many new opportunities for energy companies to re-evaluate energy management in alignment with how Australian households are consuming energy and contributing to the energy grid,” Pink said.

“Our research shows that there are changing needs within households with more expectations towards collaboration with the energy system, tailoring and customising technologies to individual energy needs and wanting a values-led social benefit approach to energy consumption.

“Especially with more Australians adapting and producing renewable energy in households, we have found that people are keen to contribute solar energy produced in households back to the grid and share it with other consumers,” research co-author Dr Hannah Korsmeyer said.

The research also shows, in the immediate future, there will be a significant switch to electric vehicles, and households are looking for better energy infrastructure and battery-charging facilities to support this changing need.

“Our foresights suggest that households will want fully charged vehicles every morning, electric vehicle ownership will likely be higher where there is better charging infrastructure and future drivers will be more dependent on battery services and roadside assistance,” Pink said.

“The foresights in our report will be an essential guide to shape the future of our energy systems. It is important that policymakers understand how people are likely to adopt electric vehicles. Building energy support and infrastructure which evenly supports diverse populations, in rural and urban communities alike, will help to avoid inequalities in switching to electric vehicles,” Pink added.

The report is informed by research conducted across 72 households in Victoria and New South Wales and supplemented by consumer survey data and analyses of energy and digital technology industry reports.

This research is part of the landmark Digital Energy Futures project and expands on ETLab’s previous ‘Future Home Life Report’.

The Digital Energy Futures project is supported by the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects Funding Scheme in partnership with Monash University, Ausgrid, AusNet Services and Energy Consumers Australia.

To view the full report, follow this link.

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