VPP Archives - Renew Economy

Storage

Huge Liddell battery hits full commercial operations, completing state’s “firming” line-up ahead of El Niño summer
The huge, two-hour battery built at the site of a partly demolished coal plant reaches full commercial operation, marking a major milestone for the grid.
Sophie Vorrath

Sep 18, 2026

3
Utilities

“Retailers are taking the piss:” Why cheaper power isn’t reaching consumers
Energy market specialist Tim Ryan says retailers are gaming everything from Solar Sharer and VPPs to dynamic network tariffs to protect their profits, and consumers are “the meal on the table.”
Anne Delaney

Sep 9, 2026

22
Policy & Planning

Australians are still not keen on solar and battery VPPs. Is it a tariff problem, or lack of trust?
Much more work needs to be done to create consumer protections and change tariffs to convince households to sign up to VPPs, new study finds.
Rachel Williamson

Aug 11, 2026

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Electrification

“It’s a really hard sell”: Why households want control of the solar and batteries they have paid for
Australia’s first privately funded residential VPP believes virtual power plants are easier to sell when they’re built into the business from day one.
Anne Delaney

Jul 16, 2026

10
Electrification

SwitchedOn podcast: Why the booming home battery market is staying clear of virtual power plants
Despite the potential for lower bills, and a stronger grid, most battery owners still aren’t joining virtual power plants.
Anne Delaney

Jul 15, 2026

3
Commentary

It’s price-gouging: Eroding trust in the energy sector one gas bill at a time
We are approaching the trickiest part of a complicated energy transition that can only proceed with customer and citizen consent. The energy retailers aren’t helping.
Giles Parkinson

Jul 26, 2025

6
Battery

Household batteries are now being marshalled to deliver very fast response to grid security issues
Although distributed energy resources are expected to be able to play in the new very fast frequency control market, it wasn’t easy hooking them in.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 4, 2024

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Solar

EnergyAustralia finds smarter platform for zero down home solar and battery offering
EnergyAustralia shifts to a new, more future focused billing and data platform for its zero upfront cost solar and battery offering, Solar Home Bundle.
Sophie Vorrath

Mar 14, 2023

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Battery

Shell Energy adds last of 16 solar batteries to “landmark” virtual power plant
Oil major puts final touches to public-private VPP with enough energy to keep up to 1,000 household air-conditioners running on a hot summer day.
Sophie Vorrath

Mar 2, 2023

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Smart Energy

Aussie company joins global heavyweights in virtual power plant peak body
SwitchDin joins US auto giants and other big names in Rocky Mountain Institute-led peak body formed to guide the “explosive growth” of VPPs.
Amalyah Hart

Jan 13, 2023

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Battery

Bid to bring virtual power plants to the masses kicks off in Australia
Australian company partners with global digital energy platform provider to design a VPP platform tailored to everyone from utilities to residential customers.
Joshua S Hill

Jan 11, 2023

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Solar

NSW plans massive solar and battery virtual power plant across 2,200 public schools
Plans to establish Australia’s largest school-based solar and battery virtual power plant are underway, with launch of EOI process by NSW government.
Sophie Vorrath

Nov 16, 2022

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