AGL will begin running national residential demand response events this summer, helping customers reduce their bills, while improving grid reliability during peak periods.

AGL Chief Customer Officer, Christine Corbett said over the past three years, AGL (in partnership with ARENA, NSW Govt & AEMO) has invested in a number of pilot programs, which saw 20,000 residential customers awarded more than $500,000 in bill credits.

“This summer we’re taking our Peak Energy Rewards program further, making it a regular option for our customers in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland,” Ms Corbett said.

“We know as the weather heats up, demand for electricity is at its highest, but we want to help our customers find ways to keep their bills affordable and this program puts the power in their hands,” Ms Corbett said.

“The program works by offering customers the option to use less than their typical average usage over a two-hour ‘peak event’ and in turn be rewarded with credits towards their electricity account.

“Our pilot programs were incredibly successful with customers reducing an average of 30 percent on their usage during peak events resulting in savings off their bills.”

As peak events get underway this summer, AGL is also offering 1000 Peak Energy Rewards customers the chance to trial a Sensibo device that replaces the traditional split system air –conditioner remote with a simple and easy to use App that has the ability to set schedules, uses geo-fencing to pre-cool on the way home from work and more.

As part of the trial, customers will be asked to opt in to allow AGL to remotely manage a customer’s split system air conditioner during peak events and adjust the fan speed or increase the temperature by up to 2 degrees Celsius.

Ms Corbett said this trial will test customer interest in automating the largest energy consumption appliance in the home during peak events, making it easier to save money and helping support grid stability in a more controlled way.

“At the end of the peak event, AGL will remotely reset their air conditioner back to its original settings. Our customers will always be in control of their comfort and can override the changes we make at any time,” Ms Corbett said.

“This trial is all about making it easier for customers by reducing the worry, cost and hassle of managing their energy usage.

“We see orchestration initiatives like this as providing mutual benefits to AGL and our customers, as technology and the energy grid continues to evolve.”

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