Battery trial reveals trends in customer energy use

Published Thursday, 15 October, 2015 at 03:14 PM

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Early results from Ergon Energy’s 12-month trial involving battery storage, home energy management systems and alternative electricity tariffs in Townsville are shedding light on how technology and tariffs will shape the future energy network.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark Bailey toured one of the test sites and was impressed how people can adapt their power usage with at home monitoring systems.

“Early stages of this trial have already indicated that customers who have a greater awareness of energy use in the home via home energy management systems will use power differently,” Mr Bailey said.

“Under the Palaszczuk Government, electricity prices have fallen on average half a percent. There’s further opportunity for prices to fall even further as consumers adapt to the way they use power.

“This trial is part of developing and expanding Queensland’s renewable energy industry and is a component of the Palaszczuk Government’s energy policy agenda.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said this trial will educate consumers on their energy consumption patterns which could save them money in the long term.  

“The time‐of‐use tariff test period has been completed with some interesting results, seven out of 10 trial participants reducing their peak time energy consumption,” Mr Harper said.

“This is significant for the network planners as well as customer base as we see an increase in the adoption of solar PV and the emergence of battery energy storage systems.

“Most customers appreciated the increased visibility of their energy usage provided by the home energy management systems with one participant reporting a $200 reduction on a recent bill.

“If customers can charge their battery system from their solar PV or Ergon's low demand periods and use battery power at peak times, impacts on the network are reduced and most importantly it keeps pressure off electricity prices.

“During the time-of-use tariff testing, the whole of street energy reduced during peak times and there was a 30% reduction measured at the transformer.”

Ten adjacent homes in a Townsville street are participating in the 12 month trial to test battery storage systems, home energy management systems and alternative tariffs which could shape the future of Ergon's network.

ENDS

Media Contacts:        Alex Chamberlain – 3719 7316