A new era of residential energy consumption is emerging in Australia in response to rising energy prices and environmental concerns, the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit in Sydney heard.
It’s driven by ‘prosumers’ who both produce and consume resources, including energy, and they are choosing solar and EVs to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
So says Chris Kerr, vice president of Clipsal by Schneider Electric which provides residential and commercial electrical solutions.
The shock of energy bills often triggers the move to net zero, spurring Australians to find savings, he explains.
“To secure the future of green Australian homes, the energy industry and government must work together to educate citizens and support them to create their own energy ecosystems.”
Kerr says there is a clear entry point for the ‘prosumer home of the future’, in its energy management system, which will act as a central hub linked to solar panels and batteries, including one or more electric vehicles.
EV sales are expected to continue increasing as more affordable models enter the market and the charging infrastructure improves, including residential options like Schneider Electric’s new EVlink model.
“These at-home options will transform the way we think about refuelling, making going to a petrol station inconvenient for day-to-day driving and encouraging greater reliance on electrical energy,” says Kerr.
”However, challenges remain for prosumers, particularly when it comes to navigating the complex and constantly evolving energy market. This is where electricians can step in and be the trusted guide they need. As an industry, they can create a legacy as the enablers of a greener future.”
The Australian Government has recognised the importance of prosumers and their role in transitioning to a clean energy future.
It recently passed the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Amendment (Grid Reliability Fund) Bill 2022 which establishes a $4 billion fund to support the development of new, reliable, and affordable energy generation, transmission, and storage technologies.
Click here for more summit information.
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