Researchers from Monash University have released a new report that sheds light on the future of energy management in Australian homes, including a desire to switch to electric vehicles, a demand for improved battery charging infrastructure, and the sharing of renewable energy.
According to the Digital Energy Futures: Foresights for Future Living report from the Emerging Technologies Research Lab at Monash University, the energy sector’s current assumptions about how people interact with energy and technology are incorrect.
The report also provides critical insights into Australian’s wishes in the near future for better electric vehicle adoption, cleaner air technology energy demands, and long-term predictions about the changing climate and future energy needs.
Lead author and ETLab Director Professor Sarah Pink says the energy sector has to rethink and adapt new practices to support the changing behaviour of consumers.
“There are many new opportunities for energy companies to reevaluate energy management in alignment with how Australian households are consuming energy and contributing to the energy grid,” Professor Pink said.
Research co-author Dr Hannah Korsmeyer says research shows that there are changing needs within households with more expectations towards collaboration with the energy system, tailoring and customising technologies to individual energy needs and wanting a values-led social benefit approach to energy consumption.
“Especially with more Australians adapting and producing renewable energy in households, we have found that people are keen to contribute solar energy produced in households back to the grid and share it with other consumers,” said Dr Hannah Korsmeyer
The research also shows households are looking for improved energy infrastructure and battery charging facilities in the near future to support this changing need for electric vehicles.
Professor Pink added. “Our foresights suggest that households will want fully charged vehicles every morning, electric vehicle ownership will likely be higher where there is better charging infrastructure, and future drivers will be more dependent on battery services and roadside assistance,”
“It is important that policymakers understand how people are likely to adopt electric vehicles. Building energy support and infrastructure which evenly supports diverse populations, in rural and urban communities alike will help to avoid inequalities in switching to electric vehicles,” said Professor Pink.
The Digital Energy Futures initiative has been funded by the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects Funding Scheme in collaboration with Monash University, Ausgrid, AusNet Services, and Energy Consumers Australia.
This research is part of the landmark Digital Energy Futures project and expands on ETLab’s previous Future Home Life Report.
The report was based on data collected during fieldwork in 72 households in Victoria and New South Wales, as well as consumer survey data and industry reports on the electricity and digital technology sectors.
