Focus on: An exciting time to work in energy

This is an extremely exciting time to work in energy. Several years ago, not many people would have envisaged the almost global commitment to ‘net zero’ targets. This shift has fundamentally changed the way we think about energy in terms of generation, distribution, and storage. Ausgrid has a critical role in leading and delivering initiatives that will support the transition to low-cost, reliable, and sustainable electricity solutions to enable a decarbonised economy.

Some of the initiatives that Ausgrid has been involved in include:

Our Power2U program: Ausgrid’s Power2U Program is an initiative that encourages customers to take up renewable energy and efficiency measures such as installing solar systems, lighting upgrades, and sharing their excess stored energy with the grid. Our program seeks to provide more choice to customers about the way they use their energy, maximising grid efficiency benefits and reducing costs for customers.

Home batteries and virtual power plants: our virtual power plant trial project uses innovative technology to access other sources of energy, such as customer generated solar energy to meet peak demand on the network. During peak demand on our network, the virtual power plant allows Ausgrid to use the energy in our customers’ home batteries to ensure the network continues to deliver for all customers. In addition to improved network reliability, customers who have agreed to be a part of this trial are paid for the exported energy and therefore receive a greater benefit from their solar and battery investment.

Community batteries: as part of our Network Innovation Program, Ausgrid has launched three community batteries to give our customers better access to affordable clean energy choices. These community batteries will allow our customers to store their own excess solar energy virtually and allow customers to share that excess energy with other members of their community. The community batteries will also be used for demand management to supplement the network in peak times. We expect these community batteries will be a common element of our network in the future.

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure: to manage potential future EV charging connections to our network, we are working with various bodies representing the electric vehicle sector and government to identify the lowest impact connection locations, understand future demand and publish maps that show locations suitable for charging points. To support the uptake of EVs, we are excited to have recently partnered with JOLT, who will use some of our kiosk substations as EV charging points for use by members of the public. With our infrastructure ever present in our communities, this is an excellent partnership to use our assets as vehicle charge points across our network.

The next few years promises to unlock further innovation in the energy sector, and we are looking forward to playing a key role in the global move towards a greener, more sustainable future.