The South Australian Government has put out for consultation a world-leading smart mandate for appliances and hot water systems which will enable all South Australian homes to become ‘smart energy homes’.
These world-leading measures will mandate smart capabilities in key appliances - hot water systems, electric car chargers, pool pump controllers and air-conditioners – so that customers can choose to use more cheap renewable energy when it is abundant.
Retrofitting these appliances can be expensive and labour intensive, but new technology means that it’s cheaper and easier for South Australians if they come as a standard feature.
As old appliances are replaced over time, all South Australian homes can voluntarily become ‘smart energy homes’.
Although this step will mandate that new appliances have these capabilities built in as a standard, it will be entirely up to customers as to whether or not they choose to use these features.
In addition, the consultation includes suggested updates to the 2009 standards for water heaters which no longer reflect the technological and environmental opportunities which electric hot water storage can now offer.
All power companies in South Australia are now required to offer customers access to cheaper renewable power in the middle of the day and overnight.
Independent analysis shows that these proposed changes will deliver significant benefits to consumers and the power grid as a whole. To smooth the transition different start dates are proposed for different appliances.
The changes mean that the following world-leading energy trials can be expanded to more people and markets:
- Rheem demonstrating how hot water systems across many homes can act like home batteries to reduce power bills and support the grid
- Amber Electric automating appliances to access cheaper, cleaner power
- smart electric vehicle charging for which proposals are currently being sought.
This world-leading transition to smarter homes means that all South Australian's can contribute to a cleaner environment whilst saving money on their energy bills.
25 February 2021
