Electrification trial launches in Illawarra

A two-year campaign spearheaded by the local community has resulted in a first-of-its-kind trial to electrify 500 homes in the Illawarra region of NSW (postcode 2515).

The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot aims to provide real-world data on the concentrated and rapid electrification of a community, measuring consumer behaviour, attitudes and energy bill savings.

The project is an $11.8 million partnership between Rewiring Australia, Endeavour Energy and green finance company Brighte, with $5.4 million in federal funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Brighte will act as Project Lead, with Rewiring Australia conducting the research and Endeavour Energy managing the network.

“The pilot aims to create the electric future in a real community today,” said Dr Saul Griffith, Rewiring Australia Co-founder and Chief Scientist.

“Incentives and information will support households to make wise energy choices and coordination of tradespeople will facilitate the process,” Griffith said, adding that the research would uncover any barriers that make electrification harder than it should be, and highlight market reforms required to make the transition economically efficient.

“Australia is the leading rooftop solar nation. Pilots like these will allow us to invent the clean consumer energy model for the whole world,” he enthused.

Under the pilot, residents of the 2515 postcode can apply for subsidies of up to $1000 off electric hot water systems, reverse cycle air conditioners and induction cooktops — and up to $1500 off home batteries. Each household will also have a free smart energy device installed to optimise their energy use, along with switchboard upgrades to support the new appliances. Additional incentives will be available for lower income households to make the program accessible to a diverse range of people.

“This project will allow us to learn locally so we can scale nationally, generating critical insights for consumers, tradespeople, industry and policymakers on how to rapidly and effectively scale electrification across Australia,” said Brighte CEO Katherine McConnell.

“Tradespeople are key to the neighbourhood transition to electric homes. Brighte’s platform and processes bring everything together, connecting customers with accredited local installers, approved products and competitive finance,” she said.

Network operator Endeavour Energy will assess and monitor the local grid during the pilot. “This is our opportunity to work with community partners and the federal government to help decarbonise the electricity grid and electrify homes with efficient appliances, electric hot water systems, solar and batteries,” said Endeavour Energy CEO Guy Chalkley.

“We are excited and confident that this will help create clean, green communities that show the way for others to follow.”

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project would provide significant insight into the contribution of home electrification to grid stability while also reducing energy costs for consumers.

“Flexible demand at a residential level is expected to be critical as homes electrify. By undertaking electrification in a managed way, we can reduce the need to upgrade our electricity network and reduce costs for all electricity consumers,” he said.

Interested applicants and tradies can find more information on the Electrify 2515 project website.

Image caption: Wombarra, NSW, one of the communities with postcode 2515. Image credit: iStock.com/Jeremy Edwards