Ownership

Those of us who own solar panels and batteries are not only consumers, we can supply energy and provide system security services. Those of us who can shift our energy use to off-peak periods can take pressure off the grid. These contributions mean less investment is needed in building out the network – saving all of us money. We think these contributions should be valued fairly. But, we also think that people who cannot participate in these ways shouldn’t be punished. We need a system that is designed for diversity, and offers services, tools and rewards that suit different motivations, ability and opportunities.

Whether it’s online advertising for dodgy heat pumps, rumours in group chats about smart meters spying on people, or claims that offshore wind farms kill whales, Australians are being fed a daily diet of misinformation about the energy transition. And the more cynical it makes us, the less likely we are to participate in the energy transition, even if we could benefit from it. We all deserve to be protected from fearmongering and falsehoods - and told the truth. ECA will do our bit to help households and small businesses find information they can trust.

Some of us face a range of barriers to investing in and accessing consumer energy resources – and those barriers go beyond our income levels. There are numerous rules that prevent people installing solar panels and batteries, for example heritage regulations. People in apartment buildings or strata schemes often can’t invest in them, nor can businesses in shopping centres, while renters face the simple issue that solar panels aren’t transportable if they move. We need to address these barriers so everyone can access and benefit from investing in these products.

Those of us who rent or live in social or community housing can’t easily make our homes all-electric. For the energy transition to be successful and provide benefits to those who need them most, we need to see targeted supports for people most at risk of being left behind. Governments are increasing their investment in new social housing, but the homes people are living in now also need to be upgraded. Perhaps surprisingly, many small businesses also fall into this category, particularly those in embedded networks.