Energy sector needs to adapt to changing need of consumers: Monash University

As more consumers switch to electric vehicles and other energy-saving technologies, the energy sector has to rethink and adapt new practices to support the changing behaviour of consumers according to Professor Sarah Pink, director at the Monash University Emerging Technologies Lab.

“There are many new opportunities for energy companies to reevaluate energy management in alignment with how Australian households are consuming energy and contributing to the energy grid,” Pink said.

These comments stem from a new report led by Monash University that reveals new foresight for energy management in Australian households, including keenness to switch to electric vehicles, the need for better battery charging infrastructure and sharing renewable energy.

The report, Digital Energy Futures: Foresights for Future Living report from the Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETLab) at Monash University reframes current assumptions held by the energy industry about how people do, or will, interact with energy and technology.

Dr Hannah Korsmeyer, research co-author said, “Our research shows that there are changing needs within households with more expectations towards collaboration with the energy system, tailoring and customising technologies to individual energy needs and wanting a values-led social benefit approach to energy consumption.

“Especially with more Australians adapting and producing renewable energy in households, we have found that people are keen to contribute solar energy produced in households back to the grid and share it with other consumers,”

The research also shows, in the immediate future, there will be a significant switch to electric vehicles and households are looking for better energy infrastructure and battery charging facilities to support this changing need.

“Our foresight suggest that households will want fully charged vehicles every morning, electric vehicle ownership will likely be higher where there is better-charging infrastructure, and future drivers will be more dependent on battery services and roadside assistance,” Pink said.

“The foresight in our report will be an essential guide to shape the future of our energy systems. It is important that policymakers understand how people are likely to adopt electric vehicles. Building energy support and infrastructure which evenly supports diverse populations, in rural and urban communities alike will help to avoid inequalities in switching to electric vehicles.”

The report is informed by research conducted across 72 households in Victoria and New South Wales and supplemented by consumer survey data and analyses of energy and digital technology industry reports.