Realestate.com.au
AUSTRALIAN homeowners are moving beyond simply generating solar electricity, with home battery systems offering greater control over rising power bills and the opportunity to earn money by supplying energy back to the grid.
The growing popularity of battery storage and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) is changing how households manage electricity.
The advancing technology is allowing families to store excess daytime solar generation for use during expensive evening peak periods.
Rather than exporting unused electricity for relatively low feed-in tariffs, homeowners can retain that power and use it when electricity prices are higher.
AGL general manager of electrification and innovation Jane Butler said battery technology was transforming households from passive electricity consumers into active participants in the energy market.
The next step is connecting individual batteries through a VPP, creating a network capable of supplying stored electricity when demand increases.
“By drawing a limited amount of stored energy from each battery, the VPP creates a large pool of energy that can be shared to the grid to help support it when needed – for example, on a summer’s day when everyone is running their air-conditioners,” Ms Butler said.
The technology could prove particularly valuable across South East Queensland, where hot summers and widespread air-conditioning use place significant demands on electricity networks.
Participating households can receive financial incentives for exporting stored electricity during peak periods, depending on their energy retailer and plan.
AGL’s Battery Rewards Plan, for example, offers an additional 25 cents per kilowatt-hour for eligible electricity exports between 5pm and 9pm, on top of the standard feed-in tariff.
