SwitchedOn Podcast: How retailers are standing in the way of cheaper power

Tim Ryan argues Australia is trying to build a 21st-century, consumer-led electricity system while preserving retailers as compulsory ‘middlemen.’ But retailers are businesses that have little incentive to help households use less electricity or pay less for it. And innovations such as Solar Sharer, VPPs and dynamic network tariffs, have just given retailers and aggregators new opportunities to control or profit from household energy.

His alternative is the Consumers’ Grid where consumers and their smart technology have a more direct relationship with electricity networks, that would bypass retailers so they can better respond when electricity is cheap and available. Batteries and EVs can then help households save money first, while collectively soaking up excess solar, reducing peaks and making better use of the grid.

Ryan is the consumer representative on the Federal government’s Data Standards Advisory Committee and his proposition is simple – design the system around consumer savings, and the benefits will flow through to everyone.