Federal Push For More ARENA-Funded Home Electrification Pilots

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has been requested by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen look into funding more community electrification projects in an effort to slash emissions and help more households save big on power bills.

“The funding could help thousands of households, including renters, secure their homes from bill spikes with more solar, batteries, energy efficient appliances and shared community energy storage,” said a statement from Minister Bowen’s office released yesterday.

In October 2024, ARENA provided $5.4 million funding for the Electrify 2515 pilot in Wollongong; building on existing electrification projects the agency has funded.

Electrify 2515 is a joint project between Rewiring Australia, Brighte, and Endeavour Energy, and is being supported by local (and very enthusiastic) volunteers. Under the pilot, up to 500 mains grid connected homes will choose to switch out gas for electric appliances. Participants receive subsidies to install electric hot water systems, air conditioners, cooktops, and home batteries, and a fully subsidised device for tracking and optimising household energy use.

Energy data and participant feedback will be collected and findings presented to government, industry bodies and the community when the pilot ends in 2027. But with 2027 still a couple of years away, Minister Bowen wants ARENA to get cracking now on looking into supporting other similar demonstration projects in each state and territory.

“ARENA pilot projects supporting home electrification will help create valuable insights into how households can transition to renewables and smart energy systems to cut energy costs and reduce emissions,” stated the Minister.

The request follows related discussions last year with senators David Pocock, David Van, Jacqui Lambie and Lidia Thorpe; quite an interesting mix of personalities.

Accelerating Australia’s Electric Future

Electrify 2515 welcomed the announcement, stating:

“We know that electrification will be the quickest and cheapest way to move away from expensive fossil fuels. Nationwide community pilots, like our own in 2515, will accelerate our electric future.”

Senator Pocock said:

“It shows the power of people pushing an idea … Having accelerators in every single state and territory will show that this is possible, the technology is here right now. Let’s get on with it.”

Co-founder and Chief Scientist of Rewiring Australia Saul Griffith added:

“A huge shout-out to the thousands of volunteers in communities around Australia that are demanding this action. The most lasting political change you can get is when you’re a big, loud advocacy group and I think we’re building a big, loud advocacy group for climate action and electrification of our homes and suburbs.”

The Climate Council also welcomed the news:

“It’s heartening to see the Senate crossbench and Federal Government recognise that action on climate pollution is also action on our cost of living crisis,” said Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie. “Initiatives like this are a significant step on Australia’s path beyond polluting gas and helps turbocharge our switch to clean energy.”

In a 2022 SolarQuotes blog post about Electrify 2515, the project copped some criticism in the comments section given the suburbs where it is operating. The 2515 postcode, which includes the Wollongong suburbs of Austinmer, Clifton, Coledale, Scarborough, Thirroul and Wombarra, is a generally well-to-do area.

Defending the initiative, one of the community members who said he was involved with the project stated in the comments thread:

“The idea of the first suburb based pilot is to show that it’s technically (data driven) and socially viable. It’s to showcase how it could be rolled out across more communities and ultimately worldwide. I do to [sic] see the socio economic advantages that we have in 2515 and agree with some other points made in this comment section that this might in-fact help get it up.”

That comment was posted well before the project scored the ARENA cash windfall – more than 2 years prior. But with Minister Bowen’s request, it seems Electrify 2515 is achieving some of its goals even before it fully rolls out. Hopefully we’ll see some similar ARENA-funded pilot projects in battler suburbs and targeting low-income households across the nation in the not-too-distant future.

ARENA is yet to officially comment on Minister Bowen’s directive, which is the first he has made using his ministerial referral powers to ask the agency to look at supporting specific projects.

Original Source: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/home-electrification-arena-mb3105/