Podcasts

SwitchedOn Podcast: The embedded network solution that takes a village – and powers it

Published by

At Narara Ecovillage on the NSW central coast, NEV Power is running an embedded network that is owned and run by its customers – the people who live in the village. Using rooftop solar, a community battery and smart-grid coordination they share energy, stay resilient during outages and minimise reliance on the wider grid.

It’s in stark contrast to the embedded networks run by commercial operators in many apartment towers.

Dave Parris, one of two people who run NEV Power, explains what it actually takes for a small volunteer-driven organisation to run its own network while navigating increasingly complex regulations and wildly different levels of household engagement.

It’s an example of how local energy systems can support – not undermine – trust and sustainability in the transition.

Anne Delaney is the host of the SwitchedOn podcast and our Electrification Editor. She has had a successful career in journalism (the ABC and SBS), as a documentary film maker, and as an artist and sculptor.

Anne Delaney

Anne Delaney is the host of the SwitchedOn podcast and our Electrification Editor. She has had a successful career in journalism (the ABC and SBS), as a documentary film maker, and as an artist and sculptor.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Coal country battery project that earned ire of state MPs joins queue for federal environmental approval

A four-hour big battery proposed for construction in state's south-east is seeking a federal green…

13 October 2026

Huge four-hour battery secures final approval to become one of biggest in state

The Octopus Investments battery has approval for up to 2 GWh, making it one of…

13 October 2026

“Doesn’t make sense:” Australia’s biggest power generator not interested in new coal-fired power plants

AGL chief nixes the idea that the company would ever be building coal-fired power stations…

13 October 2026

One of Australia’s oldest wind farms given new lease on life as turbines “repowered” after storm damage

One of Australia’s oldest continuously working wind farms, and a vital ingredient of a world-leading…

13 October 2026

Solar robotics innovators win Arena funding to build manufacturing plants on Australian soil

New funding will help establish manufacturing facilities for two automated technologies – robots that install…

13 October 2026

SwitchedOn podcast: Why the old tradie business model won’t deliver all-electric homes

All Electric Homes founder Trent Jones warns that a shortage of skilled tradies, fragmented business…

13 October 2026