Reconfiguring Australia's residential off-peak hot water systems to consume electricity when renewable generation is at its peak could help minimise the more than 4,000 MWh of large-scale solar and wind generation that is being curtailed in the National Electricity Market annually. Contact online >>
Reconfiguring Australia''s residential off-peak hot water systems to consume electricity when renewable generation is at its peak could help minimise the more than 4,000 MWh of large-scale solar and wind generation that is being curtailed in the National Electricity Market annually.
New analysis from research organisation the Australia Institute shows that 3,959 GWh of renewable energy was curtailed in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in the 12 months to 31 May 2024. This represents about 9.3% of Australia''s total annual utility scale solar and wind generation for that period.
In a discussion paper prepared in collaboration with data analytics and engineering organisation Buildings Alive, the Australia Institute says that off-peak hot water systems have historically been set to operate at night but they could be reconfigured to consume electricity during the middle of the day, when there is an abundant supply of renewable electricity.
The Canberra-based think tank has calculated that shifting off-peak hot water systems to heat in the middle of the day could provide about 4,000 GWh of flexible demand per annum, helping offset the curtailment of renewables.
"If off-peak hours were moved away from the time of day dominated by coal-fired electricity and towards the time of day when the sun is shining brightest, curtailment of solar power supply could be reduced significantly," the organisation said.
"This is the low hanging fruit of the energy transition," he said. "There are significant gains to be made from this one relatively simple and cost-effective intervention in our energy market."
Australia Institute Executive Director Dr Richard Denniss has acknowledged that such a shift would not be without some difficulties but called on the federal government to make the necessary regulatory changes.
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Around three million Australians are now enjoying lower electricity bills thanks to rooftop solar systems. But did you know that you could be getting more value out of your panels and even lower bills?
Load shifting is a technique that allows you to maximise the efficiency of your roof and lower your bill even more. In this guide we explain load shifting and how it allows you to maximise the efficiency of your rooftop PV system and save more money than ever before.
Not every appliance was manufactured equally. There are some electrical devices that are energy-efficient, and others that are going to be energy vampires, especially when they are used on the higher tarriffs.
That is the premise of load shifting – identifying those energy-demanding appliances (like pool filters, for example) and only using them during the daylight hours. This is because you are getting the most solar power at this time of day, while the rates you''re being charged by your provider for electricity are at their lowest.
We mentioned the pool filter as this is a common drain. Most people already set them on timers. You can also set a range of other appliances on timers to get the most out of your renewable energy. Your dishwasher, for example, can be filled after dinner, then set to run at 12pm the next day when everyone is at work, making the most of the daylight benefits.
The trick is to identify which appliances are costing you the most money when used at night. You can use a simple device like the Powerpal Smart Energy Monitor to connect your smart device to your power meter and see where your main expenses are. As you identify these appliances, start setting them on timers.
About Canberra load shifting
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Canberra load shifting have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Canberra load shifting for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Canberra load shifting featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
