Electrify 2515: Australia’s First Fully Electric Community?

Rewiring Australia is hoping to subsidise and support around 500 households in New South Wales’ 2515 postcode area to go fully electric.

Rewiring Australia was launched last year by Dr. Saul Griffith with a goal of accelerating the full electrification of Australian households. Part of the initiative includes pilot programs showing how this can be done now; demonstrating the benefits of converting an entire community to fully electric appliances and vehicles, and building the case for widespread adoption sooner rather than later.

Electrify 2515 could be the first pilot, getting 500 households in the 2515 postcode area to go all-electric in 6 ways:

• Rooftop solar
• Home battery
• Induction cooking
• Reverse-cycle air conditioner
• Heat pump hot water
• Electric vehicle

The 2515 postcode is in the Wollongong area and includes the following locations:

• Austinmer
• Clifton
• Coledale
• Scarborough
• Thirroul
• Wombarra

Residents in these locations have been invited to register their interest in receiving support to fully electrify their homes. Renters can also get involved, assuming cooperation from their landlords. The program is expected to run over two years.

Electrify 2515 Details Still Sketchy

Rewiring Australia says the average Australian household can save $5,000 per year on their energy and fuel costs by going fully electric. But making the switch can be pretty pricey in terms of up-front costs.

At this stage Rewiring Australia is looking at giving participating households electrified appliances they don’t already have (e.g., induction cooktops and split system air conditioners) and loaning them an electric vehicle.

” This will cut your running costs by an average of 30%, saving you thousands on your energy and fuel bills. At the end of the 2 years, you get to keep the appliances and have the option to buy the EV at a discount.”

This EV “loan” appears to be a lease. The FAQ indicates participants would be charged around 4 cents per kilometre, but that’s much cheaper than running a petrol/diesel vehicle.

In terms of rooftop solar and home batteries, the solar aspect would be provided at a “heavily subsidised price” for households that don’t have solar panels installed. The household would keep the home battery supplied at the end of the two years. There’s no mention of any cost involved for the home battery, nor if it would be required to participate in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) arrangement.

Before 2515 residents get too excited, the pilot program going ahead – and going ahead in the 2515 postcode – is by no means a done deal and many details need to be fleshed out. The nature of what’s on offer could change.

Rewiring Australia says it wants to select a pilot community in the first quarter of next year and begin rollout in mid-2023. It states 500 households is the minimum number required to demonstrate the technical and social viability of the program. Funding for this and other pilots is being sought through collaboration with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), state governments and industry.

Further information on Electrify 2515 can be found here.

Trivia: In the 2515 postcode area, more than 1,349 small-scale solar power systems had been installed as at June 30, 2022.

Original Source: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/electrify-2515-rewiring-australia-mb2581/