Australia’s home battery rollout is accelerating, but many households may not realise they’re buying systems that are effectively locked to a single manufacturer’s software.
Tech entrepreneur Simon Hackett explains why a lack of interoperability strips consumers of real control over batteries they’ve paid for and how closed, cloud-controlled systems risk higher costs, stranded assets, and weakened trust in virtual power plants. He outlines an alternative vision where open software allows households to optimise their energy use, respond to real-time prices, and create real power plants rather than virtual ones which serve someone else’s business model.
At stake is whether Australia’s battery boom empowers households, or quietly hands control back to manufacturers and retailers.
Consumer, small business and social sector groups are calling for a rethink of rates being…
It could have been a very smart, exciting and world-first energy policy initiative. But now…
Farming group hosting one of Australia's newest wind farm says decommissioning not an issue, but…
Shutting off rooftop solar is considered a blunt instrument, but a necessary option as household…
Tougher rules to protect Australia's environment have been welcomed by developers, but conservation groups say…
Karl Braganza, head of research at the BoM, explains El Niño and what it means…