Latest news with #SaulGriffith
ABC News
a day ago
- Business
- ABC News
Electrify 2515 celebrates renewable energy conversion of 60 Illawarra homes
Scores of households have been converted to run off renewable energy in a significant step towards the goal of electrifying an entire New South Wales postcode. Tosca Lloyd is one of the lucky few to benefit from the Electrify 2515 community pilot, which has so far converted 60 homes in the Illawarra postcode. She said saving money was just as important as addressing climate change. "We see switching to renewables and electrifying as one and the same as addressing the cost of living crisis and also the climate crisis," Ms Lloyd said. She was also motivated to get gas out of the house for health reasons because her young son suffers from a respiratory illness. Ms Lloyd installed a "really big" solar system, a large battery, converted to a ducted heating system and installed an electric heat pump. "All of that cost around $40,000, but we only ended up being out of pocket by around $32,000. Another 440 households have signed up for the program. Rewiring Australia founder Saul Griffith said the scheme was about starting small and then going big. "So we know that 11 million Australian households have to get to zero emissions by probably 2040," he said. "We thought we would really try to accelerate what that looks like in one community — that was the origins of 2515. "We've had a great community response … 500 homes out of 4,000. "That's about 15 per cent have signed up to participate." The scheme has built-in equity measures — the more you earn, the lower the subsidy. "A really kind of fabulous thing we found out about our community is a lot of the higher net-worth families are doing it for climate reasons," Dr Griffith said. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has funded the program to the tune of $5.4 million so far. Endeavour Energy manages the network and its future-energy strategy manager James Hazelton said he was confident the grid could handle the added load and that customers would not face higher energy costs. "But we also want to make it clear that through the journey to electrification, while customers are going to save money by having less fuel use and gas use, they are not going to face higher network charges," he said. The network operator will closely monitor the program to determine whether improvements are required for converted households. "We're using this as a case study to understand what's the right balance of visibility and network upgrades that might need to take place," Dr Hazelton said. The Illawarra region, which includes the city of Wollongong and Port Kembla has become a hub for renewable development. It remains to be seen whether a proposed offshore wind farm eventuates 20 kilometres off the coast, but in May the NSW government announced that the region had become the state's first "urban renewable energy zone". Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said that meant preparations were underway for more green manufacturing opportunities, research, renewable energy storage facilities and trial of new grid technologies to improve solar uptake. In January, federal Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen encouraged community energy projects similar to Electrify 2515 to apply for funding. ARENA has confirmed it is also funding about half of a $13.8m home electrification pilot for 500 homes in South Australia. "The primary project objective is to demonstrate the customer and sector benefits of demand flexibility and smart homes to help accelerate their deployment at scale," an ARENA spokesperson said.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Energised Crowd Plugs In At Electrify Queenstown 2025
Press Release – Destination Queenstown Within a week of tickets going live the opening day event was fully subscribed, highlighting strong community interest in electrification and innovation across the Queenstown Lakes District. More than 200 attendees have gathered at Skyline Queenstown, as Electrify Queenstown 2025 launches today. The three-day programme helps businesses and households explore practical ways to reduce energy bills, electrify, and decarbonise. Within a week of tickets going live the opening day event was fully subscribed, highlighting strong community interest in electrification and innovation across the Queenstown Lakes District. Industry leaders and global experts will take the stage, including keynote speaker Dr Saul Griffith, inventor, internationally acclaimed author of ' Electrify ', and chief scientist at multiple organisations working on climate action and clean energy research. Commenting on the importance of the event, Dr Griffith said: 'With the U.S taking a sabbatical from climate action, the world needs climate leadership. 'New Zealand and Australia — two countries where electrification has crossed the economic tipping point — have a generational opportunity to deliver community-led electrification that will pave the way for the world to follow on effective climate action. 'What better place than Queenstown to showcase the benefits of an electrified future,' Dr Griffith said. Powered by principal sponsor, Aurora Energy for a second year, Electrify Queenstown brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators and business leaders to share opportunities to create a more resilient and sustainable future. Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, says the region is proud to host such a future focused event. 'Electrify Queenstown will showcase leading electric innovations and practical solutions to empower both households and businesses to take steps toward a more energy-efficient, low-emissions future, often with significant cost savings. 'Whether you're exploring electric transport, improving energy use at home, or finding ways to cut business operating costs, there will be something for everyone,' Mat said. The momentum continues Tuesday 27 May, with over 300 people expected at the Queenstown Event Centre for an exhibition and tradeshow. The expo is free to attend, with more than 40 exhibitors across solar energy, home heating, cooking and insulation, EV's and charging facilities, and banks offering low-interest green loans. Attendees have the chance to test-drive seven of the latest electric vehicles, explore electric boats and e-bikes, and experience virtual reality transport technology. Electrify Queenstown will wrap up on Wednesday 28 May with an electric experience from Queenstown Marina to Forest Lodge Orchard at Mt Pisa. Queenstown Marina is home to New Zealand's first publicly accessible electric boat charging infrastructure, while Forest Lodge is the world's first 100% electric cherry orchard. Guests will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of this pioneering farm. Electrify Queenstown supports the region's ambition for regenerative tourism by 2030, underpinned by the keystone project to achieve a carbon zero visitor economy.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Energised Crowd Plugs In At Electrify Queenstown 2025
More than 200 attendees have gathered at Skyline Queenstown, as Electrify Queenstown 2025 launches today. The three-day programme helps businesses and households explore practical ways to reduce energy bills, electrify, and decarbonise. Within a week of tickets going live the opening day event was fully subscribed, highlighting strong community interest in electrification and innovation across the Queenstown Lakes District. Industry leaders and global experts will take the stage, including keynote speaker Dr Saul Griffith, inventor, internationally acclaimed author of " Electrify", and chief scientist at multiple organisations working on climate action and clean energy research. Commenting on the importance of the event, Dr Griffith said: 'With the U.S taking a sabbatical from climate action, the world needs climate leadership. 'New Zealand and Australia — two countries where electrification has crossed the economic tipping point — have a generational opportunity to deliver community-led electrification that will pave the way for the world to follow on effective climate action. 'What better place than Queenstown to showcase the benefits of an electrified future,' Dr Griffith said. Powered by principal sponsor, Aurora Energy for a second year, Electrify Queenstown brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators and business leaders to share opportunities to create a more resilient and sustainable future. Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, says the region is proud to host such a future focused event. 'Electrify Queenstown will showcase leading electric innovations and practical solutions to empower both households and businesses to take steps toward a more energy-efficient, low-emissions future, often with significant cost savings. 'Whether you're exploring electric transport, improving energy use at home, or finding ways to cut business operating costs, there will be something for everyone,' Mat said. The momentum continues Tuesday 27 May, with over 300 people expected at the Queenstown Event Centre for an exhibition and tradeshow. The expo is free to attend, with more than 40 exhibitors across solar energy, home heating, cooking and insulation, EV's and charging facilities, and banks offering low-interest green loans. Attendees have the chance to test-drive seven of the latest electric vehicles, explore electric boats and e-bikes, and experience virtual reality transport technology. Electrify Queenstown will wrap up on Wednesday 28 May with an electric experience from Queenstown Marina to Forest Lodge Orchard at Mt Pisa. Queenstown Marina is home to New Zealand's first publicly accessible electric boat charging infrastructure, while Forest Lodge is the world's first 100% electric cherry orchard. Guests will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of this pioneering farm. Electrify Queenstown supports the region's ambition for regenerative tourism by 2030, underpinned by the keystone project to achieve a carbon zero visitor economy.
The Guardian
01-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Labor backs household batteries in bid to spark voters on cost-of-living and climate worries
Labor is expected to flick the switch on a household battery incentive scheme in a dual cost-of-living and climate action pitch to voters. Guardian Australia understands the government is preparing a large residential energy efficiency package as part of Anthony Albanese's re-election platform. The Coalition has signalled its own home battery plan is in the works, setting up competing policies to spark a household electrification revolution. Clean energy advocates and crossbench MPs have been urging the federal government to do more to subsidise the upfront cost of solar panels, electric appliances and household batteries to slash power bills while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Switching from gas to electric appliances would be a permanent solution to cut household bills, compared to the temporary relief of energy rebates. Industry and government sources confirmed a wide range of policy options have been examined in the past three years, including tax rebates for appliances and a Hecs-style loan scheme advocated by Saul Griffith's Rewiring Australia. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email But sources said the most likely offering was an expansion of the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES) to include home batteries. The SRES – which is due to end in 2030 – is limited to solar panels, heat pumps, water heaters, wind turbines and hydro systems. More than 300,000 solar systems have been installed each year since 2020 under the scheme, saving households more than $1,500 annually, according to figures from the Clean Energy Regulator published in December. Several state and territory governments already offer subsidies for home batteries, with WA Premier Roger Cook promising rebates of $5,000 and $7,500 for household batteries if his Labor government is re-elected on 8 March. The Albanese government has already allocated $800m to upgrade more than 100,000 social housing properties with energy efficient appliances, and directed the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to fund more suburb-wide electrification trials. The chief executive of the Smart Energy Council, John Grimes, said there was 'never a better time for a national battery booster program'. 'The best way to address cost of living pressures is by helping families to get solar and batteries,' Grimes said. The independent MP for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, last week declared household electrification would be a priority in a hung parliament as she announced a plan to upgrade more than 800,000 homes and rental properties through a combination of loans, tax write-offs and direct funding. Fellow crossbencher Helen Haines is also promoting a loan scheme for household batteries and electric appliances. The Coalition has for months signalled it is open to adding a battery scheme to its energy platform, which so far revolves around a plan to build nuclear reactors from 2035. The shadow minister for climate change and energy, Ted O'Brien, indicated the policy was still on the agenda. 'The Coalition understands the importance of practical solutions like household batteries to improve energy resilience and affordability, and we'll have more to say about this closer to the election,' O'Brien said. The chief executive of Rewiring Australia, Francis Vierboom, said whichever party or politician put forward the most ambitious electrification policy would be 'politically rewarded'. Vierboom again made the case for a loan scheme for households, which he said would be 'economically efficient, inexpensive to administer and could equitably target the biggest benefits to the households that deserve it most'. 'This is the election when consumers should win policies that accelerate the shift to solar, electrification and EVs, slashing hundreds of billions off bills over the next two decades,' he said. The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, declined to comment.
