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https://reneweconomy.com.au/a-new-study-is-testing-virtual-energy-networks-that-let-households-buy-solar-power-from-their-neighbours-but-outdated-network-tariffs-could-undermine-the-local-low-cost-energy-revolution/>
"In a sun-drenched nation like Australia, rooftop solar has boomed, but the
benefits haven’t always been evenly distributed.
A new study at Deakin University is looking to change that by testing a concept
that could revolutionise how we generate, trade, and use electricity: virtual
energy networks (VENs).
A virtual energy network is an online platform that lets everyday
consumers—households and businesses—buy and sell solar energy between
themselves.
Funded by Energy Consumers Australia and powered by the
Powertracer software
platform, the Deakin-led trial is exploring how households and small businesses
across the National Electricity Market (NEM) can trade solar energy directly
with one another—buying and selling electricity like they might swap vegetables
over the back fence.
Whether it’s selling excess rooftop solar to a neighbour, a local café, or even
your own second property across town, VENs offer a more democratic,
decentralised energy market. They also introduce a new level of flexibility in
how consumers interact with the grid—though outdated tariff structures may
still stand in the way.
Not only do VENs give households without solar the opportunity to access solar
power, they can also provide cheaper power for buyers and better prices for
rooftop solar producers than standard retailer feed-in tariffs.
“It makes sense that you’re looking to get a better deal than what you would be
buying under your usual contract,” Associate Professor Dr Andrea La Nauze, the
lead researcher on the Deakin trial, says in the latest episode of the
SwitchedOn Australia podcast, published on our sister site,
One Step Off the
Grid.
While some councils, schools, and multi-site businesses currently use VENs to
share solar energy, La Nauze says most energy retailers haven’t yet extended
the model to the broader residential market.
Currently recruiting up to 400 households and businesses, the Deakin trial is
open to customers of Energy Locals, a retailer with a transparent business
model. Rather than profiting from energy usage, Energy Locals charges a flat
subscription fee and passes energy costs on at wholesale rates."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
