Owning your energy generation

Australia leads the charge

Here in Australia, we’ve been at the forefront of this technological evolution. We have the highest uptake of rooftop solar PV in the world, with over 33% of Australian homes generating energy through solar power.

Unfortunately, compared to global uptake, our adoption of electric cars has been relatively modest, but government policy has the potential to boost this.

These localised energy devices (solar panels, batteries, electric cars, and industrial equipment that can be powered down) are called Consumer Energy Resources (CERs).

CER revolution: the future of our energy market

The Australian Energy Market Operator predicts that by 2050 we will have five times more solar panels on the rooftops of households and businesses and nearly twenty times energy storage capacity in home and business battery installations and in electric car batteries.

Enter AGL’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) – a technology-enabled solution that helps reduce pressure on the grid.

So how does it work? Through cloud-based technology, the VPP connects solar batteries to a single platform so they can collectively respond to signals when the grid needs support. During peak usage periods, extra solar energy stored in the batteries is taken from the batteries and fed into the grid – adding to the supply of clean energy to match the grid’s demand. This doesn’t just benefit the planet, but your wallet too. We’ll pay you to join the VPP and make sure you’re always making a profit from participating.

It’s time for our energy market to adapt to maximise the benefits of CERs. This will help improve the reliability and affordability of the energy network.

CERs are giving Australians more control over their energy, allowing them to contribute to how energy is produced.

The challenges

Whilst current efforts to reduce costs and pressure on the grid are important, we need more. We need options that support customers in managing their energy supply at the lowest cost – benefitting you, the broader grid and the community.

According to some estimates, proper integration and orchestration of CERs could save billions in the period to 2050 – that’s a lot of bang for your buck. For this savings dream to become reality, electricity networks will have to improve infrastructure and innovative businesses will need to provide products to allow for even greater use of solar, batteries and electric vehicles.

Join the CER revolution

AGL has been helping pave the way for more connected homes, businesses and communities with solutions such as the VPP. Households like Darren and Louise’s, are already loving the VPP and its many benefits.

You can join them too. Buying an electric car, installing a solar system, and batteries, or joining the VPP yourself are all steps you can take to maximise the benefits of the CER.